How to get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Galata Tower / Şişhane metro area?

Passport control: on 5 October 2026 a traveler wrote from Istanbul Airport that he had already been queuing at passport control for about 40 minutes and expected a couple more hours. If you book a transfer with a meet-and-greet, keep in mind that getting out of the airport can take considerably longer than planned.

Havaist tickets from IST can be bought in advance through Trip.com before travelling; this was used for the trip into the city.

The same traveler in September 2026 called the Havaist bus from the airport, with tickets bought in advance on Trip.com, the best option. On the way back to the airport they took the metro: they were staying near Sirkeci, so it was cheaper, and they had little luggage.

Transfers: in October 2026 a participant advised a traveler with a small child to book a transfer via Trip.com as the more reliable and convenient option; in her words, child seats are not common in Turkey, so you may end up booking without one. Another traveler used a Trip.com transfer from Istanbul to the airport in March 2026 — everything was on time, with no delays.

Havaist journey times: in October 2026 a traveler wrote that they had been warned about traffic, but the bus between IST airport and Sultanahmet took 1 hour 20 minutes each way. In September 2026 another traveler took Havaist from Aksaray at 1:55 a.m. and reached the airport in 25 minutes on a half-empty bus.

Fares and holidays: in October 2026 a participant explained that residents link their Istanbulkart to their ID and get discounts on transfers, while tourists pay the full fare. In August 2026 another participant warned that on Turkish public holidays Istanbul's public transport is free and therefore packed — check holiday dates in advance.

Havaist or metro: in September 2026 one participant who had researched the options before his first trip recommended Havaist — more expensive, but with no 10–25 minute walks between stations when changing lines. Other travelers praise the metro: in October 2026 one wrote that Istanbul's metro is simple and convenient and he reached IST airport in 25 minutes; another traveler suggested taking the metro to the area with the main sights and then back to the new airport the same way, planning the route on a map in advance.