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Introducing Istanbul

Istanbul takes the culture of the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans and melds it with the modern world like no other place on the planet. It really is where east meets west both in terms of geography and culture. Istanbul takes you back in time to the Ottoman and Byzantine eras with incredible historical structures like the Hagia Sofia, Topkapı Palace, stunning water-front mansions along the shores of the Bosporus and the neighborhoods around the Golden Horn. Galata, Beyoğlu, Üsküdar, and Kadıköy are just a few of the city's most vibrant districts, offering visitors thre entertainment, history, and flavors that make Istanbul the unique jewel it is.

You can learn more about Turkey and its featured attraction points from our Flights to Turkey page.

Istanbul is known for:

Culinary Wellness History and Art Romantic Entertainment and Shopping Swimming Seaside Urban

Quick information

Kocaeli (115 km)
Tekirdağ (180 km)
Sakarya (154 km)
Turkish Lira (TRY)


C, E, F

GMT +2



Average Temperature

Istanbul airport information

Download airport guide PDF


A. Istanbul Airport


Istanbul Airport is 42 km from the city center. Havaist buses go to many central, easy-to-reach spots, such as Taksim, Beşiktaş, Yenikapı, Bahçeşehir and Kozyatağı. For more information on schedules take a look at our Havaist page.

You can also reach the city center from the airport with İETT buses. You can find more information on bus lines on our İETT page.

B. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport  

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport is 46 km from the city center Sultanahmet, where you can find Havabus shuttles, metro, and tramway. By Havabus, it costs 14 TL from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy and 18 TL to Taksim. You can reach Kabataş via Taksim by taking the Kabataş funicular for 2.60 TL (with istanbulkart) or 5 TL (with single pass). It would take around 2.5 hours for you to reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport from Sultanahmet. You can then transfer from Kabataş with tram.




A. Istanbul Airport  
Usually it takes around 30 minutes to reach the city center from Istanbul Airport by taxi, and costs around TRY 130-150. There are taxis in front of the international and domestic terminals.

B. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport   

There is a 24/7 taxi service from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Sultanahmet. It takes about 1 and half hour, and costs around TRY 200-220.

Average taxi price: A: TRY 130-150 | B: TRY 200-220


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