ISTANBUL | ||
Dance with the rhythm of different cultures. | ||
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By Plane: There are direct flights to all major cities to Europe via Istanbul and also direct flights to New York, Chicago, Washington & Los Angeles in USA via Turkish Arilines. There are also direct flights to central Asian cities such as Askabat, Astana, Baku, Yerevan, Dusanbe, Delhi, Bombay, Karachi; Far east cities such as Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh city, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore; Middle East cities such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Damascus, Lebanon (suspended), Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Tabriz, Tehran, Kartum (Sudan); North African cities such as Casablanca, Tunus, Cairo, Algiers, Nairobi. |
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Airline Companies: | ||
Over 70 international Airline companies have operations in Istanbul. All major airline companies have offices around Elmadag district, near Taksim. To get the full list of international airline companies and their contact details check the link below. | ||
Travel Agencies: You can find several agencies especially in Sultanahmet area where you can obtain budget flight tickets. In order to find cheap flight tickets to and from Istanbul, I have listed some travel agencies below, just for recommendation. | ||
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Istanbul Airports | ||
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) | ||
Istanbul Airport has a brand new international terminal active since year 2000, however new extensions made recently and the capacity of the terminal is now over 20 million passengers in a year. The airport is one of the newest airports in Europe and also representing the modern face of Turkiye. Ataturk Airport is located in Yesilkoy, on the European side of Istanbul and It is 28 kilometers to the city center. | ||
Metro: Metro line which is operating from Aksaray to the Istanbul Airport is the easiest alternative. Airport is the last stop and easy to catch up. If you are staying around Aksaray, you can get the Metro from the first stop. If you are staying around Sultanahmet, Laleli, Eminonu, Beyazit or Cemberlitas, than you shall take the "Eminonu - Zeytinburnu" tram. The tram starts from Eminonu stops at Sultanahmet, Beyazit, Laleli and than leads to Topkapi. The last stop of this route is Zeytinburnu and just from this stop there is a connection to Aksary - Airport metro line at Zeytinburnu. After you get off at Zeytinburnu, just climb the stairs and connect the metro line. Total travel time from Eminonu to Airport shall be around 40-45 minutes and will cost 2 tokens ( Less than 2 USD) Havas Bus Services: Havas is a private bus/coach service and organising regular bus services to the Airport from several main locations of Istanbul. Havas buses leaves from Taksim, Etiler, Bakirkoy and Kozyatagi. If you are staying around Taksim and Beyoglu area Hotels than Havas buses are the best option to travel to the airport. Etiler is the center of Business District, Bakirkoy is the main Seabus port and Kozyatagi is the main stop of Havas on the Anatolian side of Istanbul.
Taxis: One other travel option is travelling via a taxi to the airport. If you are staying in a hotel, your hotel can book you a taxi in advance. Finding a taxi in Istanbul is relatively easy except heavy rainy days and business exit hours. Taxi cost from Sultanahmet area to the airport shall be around 20-25 YTL ( ~15 €), From Taksim to Airport it shall be around 25-30 YTL. Night Tariff is 50% more. Private Shuttle Services: Especially in the Sultanahmet area, some travel agencies are organising shuttle services to the Airport. This is most of the times appears to be an easy and cheap alternative. The buses have a fix departing hour and they organize a minibus from Sultanahmet direct to the Airport. Especially if you have an early leaving plane check for these agencies mainly located near St Sophia and Basilica Cistern. Travel time is 25-40 minutes and cost is changing from 3-5 € per person. |
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Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) | ||
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As Sabiha Gokcen Airport is a sub airport arriving to airport is rather difficult than Ataturk Airport. There is no Metro or Train connection to the Airport and currently only alternatives are Bus Shuttles and Taxis. Buses: Recently Municipal buses started to and from Sabiha Gokcen airport due to inceased number of flights and passengers. Bus lines E-9, and E10 are operating to the Airport. These express buses asks for two tickets, costing 2,6 YTL (2 USD)
Havas Shuttle Buses: Havas is organising scheduled bus services to Sabiha Gokcen airport from three different centers of Istanbul. As Sabiha gokcen airport is far from the city center, you should consider the travel time.
Pegasus Shuttle Buses: Pegasus is a private domestic flight company which is using Sabiha Gokcen airport as their hub. Pegasus is also organising special bus services for their passengers and other travellers.
Taxis: You can travel to Sabiha Gokcen airport via a taxi also depending on your budget. Taxis are realtively cheap in Istanbul, however due to the long distance of SAW airport from the center it can cost some quiet amount. If you are staying in the Touristy peninsula around Sultanahmet, you can take a tram to Eminonu, follow it via a ferry to Kadikoy and take a taxi from Kadikoy to Sabiha Gokcen. It shall cost around 40-45 YTL ( 20-25 €). |
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