Getting to Istanbul

A variety of options are available for reaching Istanbul, although its fair to say that the majority of international visitors arrive via the newly expanded Atatrk International Airport. Buses, trains, ferries and private vehicles offer alternatives to air travel, making the city highly accessible regardless of your point of origin.

By car

Driving in Turkey is hazardous at best and the country is known to have one of the highest accident rates in the world so visitors planning to drive to Istanbul are advised to do so with great care. If coming into Turkey from Europe, the E-80, E-90 and Trans European Motorway are the main roads into the city, with the E-80 providing principal access from the border at Edirne. The journey from Antalya can be made via the D-650 and the E-80 via Izmit, with an approximate travelling time of 12 hours.

By rail

Istanbul has two railway stations; Sirkeci Station and Haydarpasa Station, with the former serving European destinations such as Sofia, Budapest, Belgrade and Bucharest and the latter serving Turkish destinations. Trains are generally quite slow and few offer air-conditioning making long distance travel in the summer months somewhat uncomfortable. There are several daily services between Istanbul and the capital city of Ankara, with the fastest service being the express service taking 6 hours 30 minutes. Services also operate to Izmir, Gaziantep and Gaziantep.

By bus

Intercity coaches operate between Istanbul and major Turkish destinations with the main bus station located in Esenler, about 10kms from the city centre. There are several companies operating services, with popular routes including those between Istanbul and Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Izmir, Bodrum, Fethiye and Canakkale. Visitors wishing to make their way from EU destinations can use the Eurolines bus service to get into the country before transferring to Istanbul on a domestic coach service.

By air

Atatrk International Airport is a relatively new facility, having reopened in 2000 following a major modernisation. Its a large and busy airport that provides the main gateway into the country. Visitors from a large selection of European destinations will find flights connecting them with Istanbul, while transatlantic and Asian connections are also available.

By ferry

Ferries run between Istanbul and Yalova and Bandirma on the south shore of the Sea of Marmara and vessels along these routes are capable of taking passengers and their vehicles. A passenger-only service is available between the Port of Pendik in Istanbul and the town of Yalova.

Istanbul International Airport

Istanbuls Atatrk International Airport is the countrys biggest airport and it serves over 12 million passengers per year. Located on the European side of the city, the airport is a two terminal (international and domestic) facility offering a good selection of passenger services and amenities. Banks, ATMs, post offices and bureau de change counters are available in both terminals, while a 24-hour left luggage facility is available in the International Terminal only.

For dining and refreshments, a good selection of cafs, snack bars and round-the-clock restaurants are on hand, while for shopping, there are duty-free outlets in the International Terminal as well as a selection of well-known retailers such as Bally, Hermes and House of Cigars. Additional facilities include a first-aid room, childrens play room, mother and baby room and a 24-hour pharmacy.

Istanbul airport transportation

The Havas airport bus provides cheap and efficient transportation to Taksim Square in the centre of the city and to the bus terminal in Esenler. The approximate travelling time for the journey into the city is 30 minutes. Alternatively, passengers can make use of the light railway service which runs from a station located outside the airport to Esenler; a metro service also runs from the airport to the city.

Taxis can be hired from outside both airport terminals and can either be share with other passengers in order to keep costs down or hired exclusively if comfort and convenience are important to you. Many hotels provide free shuttles for visitors with reservations.