How to Get to Istanbul

By air

Istanbul Airport (IST) handles the bulk of international flights and sits northwest of the city center — figure on 45 to 90 minutes to Sultanahmet by metro and tram depending on traffic and connections, longer during rush hour. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), on the Asian side, handles more budget and regional carriers.

Getting into the city

A direct metro line connects Istanbul Airport to the city center, changing to the tram for Sultanahmet — cheaper and often faster than a taxi given traffic. Pre-arranged transfers are also widely available.

Getting around once you're there

An Istanbulkart, a rechargeable transit card, covers metro, tram, bus, and ferry across the whole system — pick one up on arrival rather than buying single tickets each time.

Can you visit Istanbul without a car?

Easily, and most visitors are better off without one — traffic is heavy, parking is scarce, and public transport plus walking covers the main tourist areas comfortably.

From Sabiha Gökçen

Buses and metro connections link Sabiha Gökçen to the city center, generally taking longer than the Istanbul Airport route given the airport's location on the Asian side, further from most tourist accommodation.

Taxis and ride-hailing

Official taxis are plentiful, and ride-hailing apps operate in the city, though traffic can make either option slower than transit during peak hours.

Visa requirements

Many nationalities need an e-Visa, applied for online in advance — UK citizens, notably, currently enter visa-free for short stays, while US, Canadian, and Australian travelers typically need to apply through the official evisa.gov.tr portal before arrival.

From Sabiha Gökçen specifically

This airport sits further from the historic center than Istanbul Airport, so travelers arriving here should budget extra transfer time, particularly if heading to Sultanahmet rather than staying on the Asian side.

Domestic connections

Istanbul's two airports also serve as hubs for onward domestic travel, with frequent flights to Cappadocia, İzmir, and Antalya making it a practical base for a wider Turkey trip.

Ferries as a form of transport, not just sightseeing

Public ferries double as genuine daily commuter transport for locals, meaning routes run frequently throughout the day rather than existing purely for tourists.

Arriving by cruise ship

Several international cruise lines call at Istanbul's Galataport terminal, within walking distance of Karaköy and a short tram ride from Sultanahmet.

Currency exchange on arrival

Exchange offices and ATMs are available at both airports, generally offering reasonable rates — it's worth withdrawing some local currency on arrival rather than waiting until you're in the city center.

Whichever route you take into the city, keep a printed or downloaded copy of your accommodation address in Turkish, since not every taxi driver reads English house numbers or street names easily.