Istanbul Airport to Karaköy and Galata transfer
A private transfer from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Karaköy costs from €44 per car in Economy (up to 3 passengers) or €56 in a van for up to 7. The 45 km drive takes about 57 minutes outside rush hour, to hotels in Karaköy, Galata and Tophane. Pickups at IST between 15:00 and 19:00 cost 20% more.
Drive times are estimates outside rush hour. Istanbul traffic can make them much longer, and we cannot guarantee an arrival time.
Prices by vehicle
| Vehicle | Models | Passengers | Suitcases | One way, per car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Skoda Octavia, Toyota Prius or similar | 3 | 3 | €44 |
| Standard Class | Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac XTS or similar | 3 | 3 | €117 |
| First Class | Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 or similar | 3 | 3 | €365 |
| Van Standard | Mercedes Vito, Ford Custom, Chevrolet Suburban or similar | 7 | 7 | €56 |
| Van First Class | Mercedes V-Class, Cadillac Escalade or similar | 6 | 6 | €89 |
| Minibus | Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit or similar | 16 | 16 | €75 |
Prices are per car, one way, fixed when you book. Tolls, parking, meet & greet and VAT are included. Pickups at IST between 15:00 and 19:00 cost 20% more. Book a return transfer at the same time and the return leg is 10% off.
Karaköy, Galata and Tophane
Karaköy sits where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus, below the Galata Tower and next to the Galataport cruise terminal. Its hotels are spread from the waterfront up the hill to the tower, and many guests stay here the night before or after a cruise. We drive to any address in Karaköy, Galata and Tophane at the same fixed price.
Drop-off on Galata's steep streets
The streets around the Galata Tower are steep, narrow and partly closed to cars, and some are stepped. If your hotel's door cannot be reached by car, the driver stops at the closest point that can and helps with your bags. Give us the exact hotel name and address when you book.
Other ways to get there
The M11 metro to Gayrettepe with a change to the M2 to Şişhane is the cheapest way if you travel light; from Şişhane it is a downhill walk to Galata. With luggage, a car to the door is simpler. Taxi fares: How much is a taxi from Istanbul Airport.
Meeting your driver at IST
Walk out of the arrivals hall through Exit 13. Our team waits at the 3E sign with your name; your driver then takes your luggage and walks with you to the car park. We track your flight, and the first 60 minutes after landing are free, so a long passport queue or a late bag costs nothing extra.
What the price includes and what costs extra
- Meet and greet with a name sign, and help with your luggage
- Flight tracking: a delay costs nothing extra
- 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time (20 minutes at hotel and address pickups, 30 minutes at the Galataport cruise port)
- Motorway, bridge and tunnel tolls, airport parking and VAT
At extra cost
- Baby or booster seat: €10 per seat, per transfer (tell us the child's age, weight and height)
- Extra stop on the route: from €20 (Economy) to €70 (First Class)
- Waiting beyond the free time, only when agreed: per 15 minutes, from €5 (Economy) to €40 (First Class)
- Return transfer booked together: 10% off the return leg
Payment: cash to the driver at the end of the ride in EUR, TRY or USD; companies can pay by invoice. Full terms: Legal & Booking Policies.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a transfer from Istanbul Airport to Karaköy?
From €44 per car in Economy, €117 in Standard Class and €56 in a Van Standard. Pickups at IST between 15:00 and 19:00 cost 20% more.
Do you drive to hotels near the Galata Tower?
Yes. On streets cars cannot enter, the driver stops at the nearest accessible point and helps with your bags.
I stay in Karaköy before my cruise. Can you take us to Galataport the next day?
Yes. Book the port ride separately in the form, from €40 per car.
How long does the driver wait at the airport?
Waiting at the airport is free for 1 hour. The 60 minutes start when your flight lands, so passport control and baggage claim are covered at no extra cost.
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. In the colder months delays are common, usually up to about 30 minutes.