IST metro transit - what am I missing?

The route you identified looks fine, though there is a fair amount of walking between M11>Gayrettepe to M2>Gayrettepe, which is probably why Google Maps chooses the route it does.

If you haven’t seen it already, this link will take you to a comprehensive guide to taking the metro into the city center, complete with pictures:

https://www.moganddogtravels.com/blogs/istanbul-airport-to-city-centre#:%7E:text=The%20M11%20line%20connects%20the,directly%20into%20the%20city%20centre

You could also follow their route to Sultanahmet and then take the T1 tram across Galata bridge and get off at Karaköy, but that’s even more walking overall.

We arrived in Istanbul in April and considered using the metro to get into Sultanahmet but opted for Welcome Pickups instead. It was actually quicker and easier.

I found Citymapper to work better in Istanbul. The phone app offers more functionality than the web based version. I plugged in your route for this coming Tuesday and it offered a route including Metro similar to the one you outlined:

• M11 (Gayrettepe - train every 20 minutes) - get off at Gayrettepe
• Walk 5 minutes to M2 entrance Metrobus Anadolu
• M2 (Yenikapi every 7 minutes) - get off at Halic
• Walk 8 minutes to hotel

For a Tuesday at 6 p.m. it's saying 90 minutes for that route, 55 minutes by car. One thing about the metro is you'll have to get and activate an Istanbulkart to ride (it's a tap and pay system with their own card). Search this site for comments on that, the machines aren't always easy to use. I chose the Welcome Pickups route for a similar flight arrival time on a weekday and did encounter traffic, but it was door to door 60 minutes total. For this jet lagged human not quite ready to navigate a new transit system on arrival, it was a good choice.

Thank you to both @rontayca and @CL for the replies. I feel better that I wasn't misreading the map, and perhaps understand a bit why the apps were showing what they did.

I chose the Welcome Pickups route for a similar flight arrival time on a weekday and did encounter traffic, but it was door to door 60 minutes total. For this jet lagged human not quite ready to navigate a new transit system on arrival, it was a good choice.

That's good info to know, @CL. I had thought the traffic at that time of day would make the metro lines faster, but it sounds like it doesn't. Having used Welcome Pickups, do you have a referral code? I'm happy to use it to give you the credit!

I did some looking around for posts on Welcome Pickups and found this thread. In it I noticed a reference to reserving transfer service through booking.com, which I'd never noticed before. I priced out the transfer to/from our hotel and found it to be about $15 cheaper because I am member of their loyalty program, plus I got to use $27 I'd earned in my "wallet." Even without the loyalty discount and wallet, the price was less than Welcome Pickups, and that's with choosing an Executive people carrier. (Nicer van, I'm guessing.) The difference between Executive people carrier and standard was $2 total, so I upgraded. Another bonus: booking.com gives you free cancelation.

We'll see how it works out come September!

Sorry melrowgo I didn't see your post until just now. At the time I selected Welcome Pickups it was much less expensive than going through Booking. Sounds like you found a great deal, but if you still want a referral code I would be glad to PM you.

And I will clarify, your mileage may vary with regard to traffic for your particular trip. I could have been lucky, as I do know I've heard from others who had much longer trips in to town. Since you're also not going to Sultanahmet (kind of horrible little streets) you could be lucky in that regard. In any case, being in your own "executive people carrier" might offer you a relaxing and safe space for your travels regardless of how long it takes. Happy travels!

In Istanbul now, I second Welcome Pickups, glad we did. Passed your hotel yesterday, in addition to having lots of walking, the hills are what makes the walking take longer and schlepping luggage—just be prepared if you decide to metro/walk!

Thanks for the replies, @CL and @Kathy W. I appreciate the additional feedback. It sounds like arranging a pickup was a good idea.

One thing I noticed on our Booking.com transfer reservation: there is a notation that the driver cannot enter the airport for the "full Meet & Greet" experience, rather we need to go to a certain gate and they will direct us to the driver's location. Did you find that with Welcome Pickups during this trip, @Kathy W? Didn't know if that was universal or with just the company they use (Airport Transfer World).

Not sure if this is how every Istanbul Welcome Pickup driver does it, but I'll tell you about my experience. When I made my reservation, it gave instructions about which numbered exit door I should meet my driver and that they would be outside that door holding a sign with my name. On my travel day my driver messaged me on WhatsApp as he tracked my flight (it was a bit delayed) and sent a note with instructions to meet him at a different exit door than the one noted in my reservation. But he also included a little video of how to find where to meet him and exactly where to stand, which was super helpful. My driver messaged again on WhatsApp when my flight landed and told me to message him after I picked up my luggage. After I got through security I went out the numbered door he gave me and stood just outside the terminal and sent a note I was ready. Within 5 minutes my driver came to fetch me, very apologetic as he thought I would take longer getting bags (I didn't have any). He guided me back to his van which was parked in a very busy area with buses, shared transport, taxis, etc. and off we went.

My experience was exactly like CL’s, including the video. We waited briefly in an area where several other transfer service drivers met and picked up their passengers, so chances are it’s the same location for everyone.