Airports
Istanbul has two airports, the big one – Atatürk Airport – on the European side and the smaller one – Sabiha Gökcen Airport – on the Asian side. Consider the location of your hotel when you book your flight and that most of the Sightseeing-stuff is on the European side.
Most of the cheap airlines fly to Sabiha Gökcen Airport and with being very small, over 2 Million passengers a year is quite a number (Atatürk has around 20 Million a year). Don’t expect any architectural highlights, as both airports are built to be functional, not pretty. If you love airport-shopping, pick Atatürk Airport!
Atatürk Airport (ataturkairport.com) is 25 km (15 miles) away from Taksim, Sabiha Gökcen Airport (www.sgairport.com) 50 km (31 miles).
Cheap travel to the city centre from the airport
The easiest and most comfortable way is to take the airport-bus provided by a company called Havas (speak: Hawash). No matter at which airport you arrive, it costs 10 Liras (one way, approx. 5 Euro) and takes 1 hour (Atatürk Airport) up to 1 ½ hours (Sabiha Gökcen Airport) to go to Taksim. From there you can take a cab to your final destination (cabs are really cheap in Turkey!). The last bus departs at 1 am, the first at 4 am. Consider this, because most of the cheap flights to Sabiha Gökcen Airport arrive during 1-4 o’clock in the night and you might have to spent a little time waiting for the next bus, if you don’t want to take a Cab (Atatürk Airport – Taksim: 35 YTL = 17 Euro, Sabiha Gökcen – Taksim: 80 YTL = 40 Euro).
Unfortunately there is still no Metro-Line to Sabiha Gökcen Airport, but there sure is one to Atatürk Airport. It doesn’t go directly to the city centre Taksim though. First you have to take the Metro, switch at Zeytinburnu to the Tram and then again at Kabatas to the so called “Füniküler” (= funicular). As you see, the Turks like it complicated. The public transport is really cheap, only 1, 40 YTL (= 70 cent) for one trip. You either buy coins or the so called Akbil (smartcard) but as you have to use three different vehicles for the way from the airport to Taksim you also have to pay those 1, 40 YTL three times. The public transport operates from 5 am to 10 pm, so, just a little advice, stick to the Havas busses!
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2 Responses to “Airports”
Feel free to ask a question or leave a reply!
We are a family of 4. Would you recommend we take a taxi from the airport, rather than on the Havas bus? Cost-wise, is it more economical?
We may have a lot of luggage. Can the taxis hold 4 suitcases or more?
Lisa
January 11th, 2012 at 11:55 ampermalink
Hi Lisa,
A normal taxi can not hold 4 big suitcases, but it may be able to fit 2 big and 2 small. It will cost you no more than 50 TL to the centre of the city from Ataturk airport, but do insist on using the metre in the taxi, if not you are setting up to be scammed.
For a family for the convenience and because you are so many it may be worth it to dish out the extra money for a taxi to your hotel.
Enjoy your stay!
Cheapo Charlie
January 11th, 2012 at 12:49 pmpermalink