Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST)

Location

The airport is situated 25 miles (40km) northwest of Istanbul.

Getting to the city

While there are plans to connect the railway, shuttles are currently the only form of public transport serving the airport. Havaist and IETT offer shuttle services and tickets/smartcards can be purchased at the airport. Taxis are also readily available.

Time

GMT +3

Car rental

Car rental companies include Europcar, Comet, Enterprise, Garenta, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and Dokay.

Airport Taxis

Istanbul Airport is northwest of Istanbul and it takes around 45 minutes to an hour to reach the city centre by taxi. There are three main taxis: yellow economy taxis, blue comfort taxis, and black premium taxis.

Facilities

There are shops, banks, bureaux de change, prayer rooms, a large range of food and beverage outlets, bars, a duty free, and passenger lounges. There is also an airport hotel as well as tourism information centres.

Parking

Istanbul Airport boasts one of the largest multi-storey carparks in the world, consisting of five blocks with low-cost to premium options.

Website www.istanbulhavalimani.com/en

There is one large, modern terminal at the airport, consisting of seven entrances. Gates 1 and 2 serve domestic flights, while the rest serve international flights.

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)

Location

The airport is 22 miles (35km) south-east of Istanbul.

Getting to the city

Buses connect the airport to various parts of Istanbul. Tickets are TL 1.65 and the journey into Istanbul takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Shuttles to the historical centre of Istanbul run every half hour between 5am and midnight. Tickets are TL 18 for the 40 minute trip.

Time

GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Car rental

Rental companies operating at the airport include National Alamo, Sixt, Payless, Central, Hertz, Europcar, Nord Travel, Budget, Avis, and Bostanci.

Airport Taxis

Taxis can be found outside the arrivals section of the airport. Fares into Istanbul cost approximately TL 90, passengers have to pay highway and bridge tolls as well.

Facilities

The airport has ATMs, shops, restaurants, a first aid centre, pharmacies, a prayer room, hair salon, shoeshine stand, and meeting facilities. Currency exchange facilities and a post office are also available and there is a left-luggage desk.

Parking

Parking rates start at TL 8 for the first hour, TL 10 for 1-3 hours, TL 16 for 3-6 hours, and TL 35 for the day. Long-term reduced rates are also available.

Departure tax

None.

Website www.sabihagokcen.aero/home_page

Terminals are within one building.