How to get from central Istanbul to Istanbul Airport (IST) by public transport?
Based on 1 discussion with 6 participants · Last activity: 21 days ago
TL;DR
Take metro line M11 directly to Istanbul Airport (IST) from Gayrettepe, or use Marmaray to Halkalı then Havaist bus HVL-8 to the airport. Pay with Istanbulkart, Istanbul's reusable transit card.
What the community said
The Marmaray line and the airport rail link via Gayrettepe both belong to TCDD (Turkish state railways), not Istanbul Metro — worth knowing when planning your route.
21 days ago TCDD / tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
↗ link in original
From the Asian side (e.g. Ayrılık Çeşmesi on metro M4) you have two options: fast — transfer to Marmaray to Sirkeci; scenic — go to Kadıköy and take a ferry to Eminönü.
21 days ago M4 → Marmaray (Sirkeci) or ferry Kadıköy–Eminönü
At Halkalı station (western terminus of Marmaray), Havaist bus route HVL-8 departs right outside the exit and goes directly to Istanbul Airport (IST).
21 days ago Havaist HVL-8, Halkalı station
The Istanbulkart fare from Taksim to Istanbul Airport (IST) — check the current price before travel as fares are updated periodically.
21 days ago Istanbulkart: Taksim → IST Airport
Istanbul has a unified transit card called Istanbulkart, similar to London's Oyster card. It works on metro, buses, trams, and ferries, and offers transfer discounts.
21 days ago Istanbulkart
Marmaray is a suburban rail line running under the Bosphorus, operated by TCDD — not part of the Istanbul Metro. Transfers between Marmaray and metro lines require exiting and re-entering through separate turnstiles.
21 days ago Marmaray (TCDD)
Central districts like Fatih, Balat, and Beyoglu are very walkable. Use trams for slightly farther spots, and metro or buses for districts like Şişli and beyond.
21 days ago Tram, metro, walking — Fatih / Balat / Beyoglu