Istanbul International Airport to Taksim Square
Celebrate the Comfort of Getting to the Center of Istanbul, Taksim Square from the Airport Using the Most Comfortable Transportation Options
How to get from Istanbul’s new airport to Taksim Square
A fabulous part of Istanbul, legendary Taksim whose name means ‘distribution’ is one of the most sought-after sites in the city centre all year round. It is a luxurious central destination that offers shopping options, impressive restaurants and cinemas, and an unforgettable sea view of the Bosphorus from its rooftop cafes. Lots of passengers traveling to Istanbul Airport want to get directly to Taksim after their flights arrival in IST. Besides, there are thousands of passengers whose layover is long enough to allow them to visit this splendid area and spend some time in its relaxed vibes. Do you know why Taksim was called so? The question about the meaning of the word ‘Taksim’ is asked frequently. The secret is in the translation. In Turkish and Arabian, Taksim means “distribution” and this is not an occasion. Once, this part of Istanbul was a kind of distribution point for water supplies. That’s why it is known as Taksim and was called so. As you can see, questions about how to find transport to get to Taksim right from the airport are not rare. Thus, we decided to help them and dedicate this guide to the most convenient, safe and direct options on how to get to Taksim from IST. We’ll focus on various transport from standard to deluxe and share some tips for making your drop at Taksim easily. So, let’s start with it now and read our guide.
Distance from Taksim to Istanbul Airport
The first thing to consider in our guide is how far is Taksim from the airport. As Istanbul Airport is located on the European side of Istanbul, and Taksim as one of the historical districts belongs to the Asian side, the distance you need to ride is quite considerable. Depending on the chosen route, it can vary from 38 km (the shortest D020 route) to 47.9 km (if you take the longest route). As for the average duration of a ride, it also varies and can take from 45 minutes to an hour and more so you can return to the airport the same day or stay in the center to your wish. The good news is that you can select among pickup options to get to Taksim from the airport. The choice includes vehicle rentals for your rides, taxi bookings, bus transfers, metro, and even private luxury transfers. It’s up to you to choose the option that meets your requirements for safety, comfort, and affordability. However, to make you assured that most municipal transportation options from the Airport to Taksim are affordable, let’s get them indicated approximately in a table you can follow below.
Car rental from Istanbul Airport to Taksim
Every rental company have their official representatives at the airports, and HAVAIST is no exception. Thus, you can get in touch with a rental and choose a car that meets your requirements for status and secure vehicles. Do not forget to apply for a vehicle with a GPS navigator to ease your trip from the airport to Taksim or any other location throughout Turkey from Cappadocia to Erzurum.
Taxi from Istanbul Airport to Taksim
Such a service as the taxi is also well-developed, and you can either pick up a taxi at the airport entrances or book it in advance. Several local taxi services allow tourists to book their vehicles online before they arrive at IST. In any case, a taxi is not the cheapest method how to get to Taksim from the airport, but it is one of the fastest. Note that taxi drivers accept mostly cash and your bank card is useless. Taxis can be found near the International arrivals terminal floor entrance spot.
Please, take into account that traffic jams in Istanbul are frequent, especially in the morning hours and after 5 pm. Thus, leave more time reserved to get to your destination point.
Cost of a taxi from Istanbul Airport to Taksim Square
Typically, prices for taxi services that you can book at the airport start from 500 TL if you want to get from the airport to Taksim. In case you are interested in driving to Sultanahmet, prices will increase to 700 TL and they are not limited.
Please, note that the prices for taxi services depend on several features including the status of the taxi company, its driver’s qualification, and the type of car you want to book and the payment should be made in cash. Besides, fees are taken for bridge crossing.
Bus from Istanbul Airport to Taksim
Public transportation is not a bad but a great idea if you want to get from the airport right to Taksim leaving your luggage in the airport storage. There are various bus companies providing options you may use for this.
- HAVAIST airport shuttle bus is the first idea to pick up. It has a straightforward route from IST to Taksim (HVIST-16 bus). This trip will take over 100 minutes in total, but it is cheaper than a taxi.
- Hotels often provide their private transfers to meet their guests who book the accommodation in the vicinity of Taksim. If you choose one of these hotels, you can get to Taksim by their buses. You can get info if the private transfer is available via email when booking a room. Most hotels have this service and often include it in the booking’s price.
- IETT bus H-2 also can take you to the city center, namely Taksim. You can buy tickets to it together with metro pass at the airport’s bus station. The best idea for public transportation is to purchase Istanbul kart, a universal ticket you can top up. For this, you must download IST airport’s app and get it here buy it in any cash point around the airport or use a QR code to pre-book tickets. The only drawback is that you often need to wait long and it takes more than an hour to ride.
How much is a bus ticket from the new Istanbul Airport to the Taksim?
In case you opt for the HAVAIST shuttle bus, you need to pay a fee of 204 TL one-way. The ticket can be purchased in cash in the sales booth or using your credit cards on the bus. Please, note that the luggage fares are not included.
For hotel transfers, it is better to get information from the transfer provider. And IEET’s buses are not expensive at all, besides, you can also use Istanbul kart to pay for them.
Metro from Istanbul Airport to Taksim
Public transportation in Istanbul includes the metro. The popular subway line connects the airport with the city center. Here is a dedicated M-11 line, and you can use it to get to Gayrettepe Station, here change the line to M2 which leads right to Taksim.
To get to the metro exit in Istanbul Airport, please, get to Exit 11 in front of the car park zone. You might use your Istanbulkart and buy tickets for you and your family.
Please, note that children under 6 don’t need a ticket.
How much is a metro ticket from the IST to the Taksim?
As the fare for metro transportation depends on the distance, you will pay only 16.99 TL per ticket to get from the airport to Taksim. That’s a popular and reliable transport method.
FAQs
To summarize on the article how to arrange your transportation to Taksim from Istanbul Airport and enjoy the easy process and convenient conditions, let’s answer some FAQs.
How much costs a taxi from Istanbul Airport to Taksim?
The price depends on multiple factors, yet, it requires you to reserve the amount of money no less than 500 TL to get to Taksim from the airport. You have rights to negotiate but reliable operators in Turkey don’t provide lower prices for your journey.
Should I rent a car in Istanbul?
You are welcome! Moreover, in Istanbul Airport, you can rent a car in multiple car rentals to try the opportunity to drive to Taksim Square. In any case, you can always cancel your rental and take advantage of other transportation options. Please, do not forget that road traffic in Istanbul is harsh and intensive, so, if you lack experience as a driver, it is better to travel by bus shuttle and taxi instead of a rented car.
How far is Taksim Square from Istanbul Airport?
The total distance is 38 km, but the ride can be longer due to various routes. Better save the map in your browser to understand where is your location and get an English transcription of local names.