Airport transfers
IST and SAW to any hotel, home or office, 24 hours a day.
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Send booking on WhatsAppIstanbul Airport Transfer · IST & SAW
Land in Istanbul. We'll take it from here.
Fixed-price private transfers between IST, SAW and every district of Istanbul. We track your flight, so a delay never costs you extra.
Fixed price, no meter
60 min free waiting
Free cancellation up to 24h
TÜRSAB licensed agency, no. 12556
Booking in 12 languages
WhatsApp support 24/7
Free cancellation up to 24 hours
Services
More than airport pickups
One booking desk for every ride in and around Istanbul.
Hourly chauffeur
A car and driver for 8 or 10 hours: meetings, shopping or a day across the city.
Airport to airport
IST to SAW connections for travellers changing airports, about 80 minutes by road.
Corporate and events
Monthly invoicing for companies, shuttles for congress and wedding guests, multi-car bookings.
Daily tours
Private day tours of Istanbul with your own driver: the Old City, the Bosphorus shore, Asian side markets or a route you choose.
Cruise port and hotel pickups
Galataport cruise terminal transfers and hotel-to-airport rides on your departure day.
Fleet
Pick the car that fits your group and luggage
All vehicles are air-conditioned, licensed for tourism transport and fully insured.
Economy
Skoda Octavia, Toyota Prius or similar
33
Standard Class
Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac XTS or similar
33
First Class
Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 or similar
33
Van Standard
Mercedes Vito, Ford Custom, Chevrolet Suburban or similar
77
Van First Class
Mercedes V-Class, Cadillac Escalade or similar
66
Minibus
Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit or similar
1616
Which car do I need?
Best fitEconomyIST → Taksim, one way, from €42
Also fits: Van Standard, Van First Class, Minibus, Standard Class, First Class
Flight tracking
We follow your flight number live. Early or late, your driver is there when you land.
60 minutes free waiting
Passport control and baggage claim take time at IST. The first hour after landing is on us.
Meet & greet with name sign
Your driver waits at the arrivals exit with your name and helps with your bags.
Licensed and insured
Professional drivers with tourism transport permits, passenger insurance included in every ride.
Price fixed at booking
Bridge and motorway tolls, parking and traffic are included. What you see is what you pay.
24/7 support in Turkish and English
Reach a real person on WhatsApp or phone at any hour, before and during your ride.
How it works
Three steps from booking to your door
Book online in under two minutes. No account needed.
1
Book and get your price
Enter your route, date and flight number. The price is fixed the moment you book.
2
Receive confirmation
We e-mail you as soon as your request arrives, and again with your voucher when we confirm it. Driver name, plate and phone arrive the day before.
3
Meet your driver
At IST our team waits outside Exit 13 at the 3E sign; at SAW inside the TÜRSAB building opposite column 5.
Extras
Clear prices for every extra
Most rides need nothing more. If you do, this is exactly what it costs.
Included in every ride
- Flight tracking
- 60 minutes free waiting after landing
- Meet and greet with a name sign
- Tolls, bridges, parking and VAT
- Help with your luggage
Optional extras
- Baby seat Ages 1–3
- €10 per seat, per transfer (up to 3)
- Booster seat Ages 3–6
- €10 per seat, per transfer (up to 3)
- Extra stop on the route
- €20 per stop
- Extra waiting
- per 15 minutes, from €5
- Return trip
- −10% off the return leg
How you pay
- Cash to the driver
Pay in EUR, TRY or USD at the end of your ride. No fee.
- Card online
Visa or Mastercard when you book, with a 5% bank commission.
- Invoice for companies
We issue invoices to companies, with monthly billing for regular customers.
Compare
Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet: your four options
Istanbul Airport (IST) is about 48 km from the Old City. This is how the main ways into town compare for a traveller with luggage.
| Option | Door to door | Changes | With luggage | At night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | 45–60 min | None | Easy | 24/7 |
| Taxi | 45–75 min | None | Good | 24/7 |
| Havaist HVL-11 bus | 75–120 min | None | Good | Limited |
| Metro M11 + M2 + tram | 90–110 min | 2 or more | Hard | Limited |
Typical times outside rush hour. Taxis are metered and may involve a queue at the rank.
Popular routes
Fixed prices to central Istanbul
Economy sedan, one way, up to 3 passengers.
| Route | Distance | Duration | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IST→ Taksim / Beyoğlu | 42 km | ~50 min | €42 | |
| IST→ Sultanahmet / Old City | 48 km | ~55 min | €46 | |
| IST→ Beşiktaş | 43 km | ~50 min | €44 | |
| IST→ Kadıköy | 55 km | ~65 min | €55 | |
| SAW→ Kadıköy | 37 km | ~45 min | €45 | |
| SAW→ Taksim / Beyoğlu | 48 km | ~60 min | €50 | |
| SAW→ Ataşehir | 28 km | ~30 min | €38 | |
| IST→ Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) | 78 km | ~80 min | €67 |
Durations are typical; Istanbul traffic varies by hour.
Rides to or from IST with pickup between 15:00 and 19:00 cost 30% more. Rides to or from SAW with pickup between 14:45 and 21:00 cost 30% more.
Districts
Door-to-door to every district of Istanbul
Pick your area to see the distance from each airport. We also go to any other address in the city.
European side
Asian side
Prices: Economy, one way, from the closer airport.
Quick answers
Istanbul airport transfers in numbers
How far is Istanbul Airport from the city centre?
About 40–50 km. Taksim is 42 km and Sultanahmet 48 km away, usually 45–60 minutes by car.
How far is Sabiha Gökçen from the city centre?
About 40–50 km on the Asian side. Kadıköy is 37 km and Taksim 48 km away, usually 45–60 minutes by car.
How long is the drive from IST to SAW?
The 78 km drive takes about 80 minutes, longer at rush hour. On separate tickets, allow at least 5 hours between international flights, 4 hours for domestic flights or hand luggage only.
When should I leave my hotel for my flight?
For an international flight, leave central Istanbul about 3.5 hours before departure for IST and about 3 hours before for SAW.
Which airport is closer to my hotel?
IST is closer to the European side (Beşiktaş, Şişli, Sarıyer). SAW is closer to the Asian side (Kadıköy, Ataşehir, Üsküdar). Taksim and Sultanahmet are about the same distance from both.
Last updated: October 2026
Airports
Both Istanbul airports, both sides of the Bosphorus
IST
Istanbul Airport
On the European side, in Arnavutköy. Turkish Airlines' main hub and the arrival point for most international flights.
- Meeting point
- Exit 13, at the 3E sign
- To Taksim
- ~42 km · 45–60 min
SAW
Sabiha Gökçen Airport
On the Asian side, in Pendik. Main base of Pegasus and many low-cost carriers.
- Meeting point
- TÜRSAB building opposite column 5
- To Kadıköy
- ~37 km · 40–55 min
Your trip
Rides that fit how you travel
Arriving late at night
Your driver tracks your flight, so a late or delayed landing changes nothing for you: no night surcharge, no extra fee for delays and a car waiting at the door.
Families with children
Baby seats and booster seats cost €10 each. Tell us your child's age, weight and height, and we fit a seat that suits their size before you get in.
Groups and lots of luggage
Vans take up to 7 people with 7 suitcases and the minibus up to 16. Skis, golf bags or a pram? Add a note and we send the right car.
Reduced mobility
Your driver helps you into the car and carries your bags. A folding wheelchair fits in our vans; just tell us in the booking note.
Travel tips
Good to know before you land in Istanbul
Visa
Many nationalities enter Turkey visa-free; others need an e-Visa. Check the official site evisa.gov.tr before you fly.
Money
Turkish lira (TRY) is the local currency. Cards work almost everywhere; exchange offices in the city usually give better rates than the airport.
Istanbulkart
One rechargeable card for metro, tram, bus and ferries. Buy it from the yellow machines at stations.
Rush hour
Traffic is heaviest on weekdays from 07:30 to 10:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. Allow extra time for flights at these hours.
Mobile data
Buy an eSIM before you travel or a local SIM in the city. Free Wi-Fi is available at both airports.
Tipping
Tipping is welcome but never required. Around 10% is usual in restaurants.
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FAQ
Before you book
Are tolls and bridge fees included?
Yes. Bosphorus bridge and Eurasia Tunnel tolls, motorway fees, airport parking and VAT are all in the price.
Is the price per person or per vehicle?
Per vehicle. The price covers the whole car and everyone in it, up to the vehicle's seat count, so a family of four pays the same as one traveller in a minivan.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Nothing changes for you. We track your flight number and your driver arrives for the actual landing time. The 60 minutes of free waiting start after landing.
Where will I meet my driver?
At Istanbul Airport (IST), go out through Exit 13 of the arrivals hall: our team waits at the 3E sign. At Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), walk out of the terminal to the TÜRSAB building opposite column 5 and tell reception you are here for 3E. You receive the driver's name and phone the day before.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
Cancellation at least 24 hours before pickup is free. Date, time or address changes requested at least 24 hours ahead have no change fee; later changes depend on availability. A different route or vehicle can change the price.
About us
A licensed Istanbul travel agency for airport transfers
Istanbul Airport Pickups is operated by 3E Seyahat Organizasyon Turizm ve Taşımacılık Ltd. Şti., acting through the travel agency Shqiptar Travel, licensed by TÜRSAB, the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, under licence no. 12556. Our meet-and-greet team at the airports waits under the 3E sign. Our office is in Pendik, on the Asian side of Istanbul, close to Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
We focus on one thing: private transfers between Istanbul's two airports, IST and SAW, and every district of the city. You see a fixed price per car before you book, your driver tracks your flight and waits with a name sign, and our team answers on the phone and WhatsApp day and night.
Fixed prices
The price you book is the price you pay, with tolls, parking and VAT included.
Licensed and insured
A TÜRSAB-licensed agency with insured vehicles licensed for tourism transport.
Here 24/7
Reach us by phone or WhatsApp at any hour, every day of the year.
Only Istanbul
We work only in Istanbul, so our drivers know both airports and the city's roads.