Istanbul Airport Shuttle Bus (Havaist) (September, 2025 update)
Before Havaist began operating as the Istanbul Airport Shuttle Bus, IETT buses were the only public transportation option from Istanbul Airport. Since early 2023, the Istanbul Airport Metro (Metro Line M11) has connected the airport to the city; nevertheless, IST shuttle buses remain a popular and cost-effective alternative. Havaist and IETT buses run frequent routes across Istanbul, while Istanbul Seyahat buses handle intercity transfers.
Most Popular Routes from Istanbul Airport
Here are the four most popular shuttle buses from Istanbul Airport to major city hubs:
Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet – New Havaist Line
Great news for first-time visitors to the Old City: the new Havaist bus line HVİST-11 now runs directly from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet Square, dropping you steps from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
It operates 24/7 with departures roughly every 45–60 minutes (journey ~80–100 minutes, traffic-dependent). At the airport, look for the Peron 11 stand signed for “Sultanahmet.” For live times and any service updates, check the Havaist app/website before you go.
En route, Havaist Sultanahmet HVİST-11 makes limited stops—including Nurtepe Viaduct and Eminönü İskele—before terminating at Sultanahmet Meydanı, which is ideal for hotels around the Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace.
| Line | From | To | Duration | Frequency | Price ( Turkish Liras) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HViST-16 | Istanbul Airport | Taksim Square | 90 min | Every 20′-30′ | 355 ₺ |
| HViST-15 | Istanbul Airport | Beşiktaş | 75 min | Every 30′-60′ | 355 ₺ |
| HViST-12 | Istanbul Airport | Aksaray Metro | 90 min | Every 20′-25′ | 355 ₺ |
| HViST-13 | Istanbul Airport | Sabiha Gökçen Airport | 110 min | Every 45′-90′ | 400 ₺ |
| HViST-11 | Istanbul Airport | Sultanahmet | 110 min | Every 45′-90′ | 315 ₺ |
Havaist Shuttle Buses
Havaist buses offer high-quality, comfortable transfers from Istanbul Airport to 50 major city hubs. Each shuttle can accommodate up to 46 passengers and is equipped with TV screens, Wi-Fi, and USB charging points. Payment can be made via cash at the airport’s designated points, credit card, the Havaist App, or by using a QR code. You can pre-book tickets online, which provides bonuses and discounts. Alternatively, you can use an Istanbulkart, which costs 165₺ and can be used by multiple passengers. The Istanbulkart is valid for various transportation modes, including the metro, tram, and ferry, and can be easily recharged.
Havaist Bus Lines from Istanbul Airport
Havaist buses operate 24/7 from Istanbul Airport on 12 different routes, connecting the airport to almost every part of the city. Note that travel times can be affected by heavy traffic.
| Line | Duration | Frequency | Destination | Price ( Turkish Liras) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HViST-5 | 75 min | Every 45′-60′ | Istanbul Airport – Esenler Otogar | 280 ₺ |
| HViST-6 | 90 min | Every 60′-70′ | Istanbul Airport – Başakşehir | 265 ₺ |
| HViST-8 | 90 min | Every 20′ | Istanbul Airport – Beylikdüzü | 350 ₺ |
| HViST-9 | 120 min | Every 60′ | Istanbul Airport – Avcılar | 245 ₺ |
| HViST-10 | 80 min | Every 30′ | Istanbul Airport – Bakırköy | 320 ₺ |
| HViST-12 | 90 min | Every 20′-25′ | Istanbul Airport – Aksaray Metro | 355 ₺ |
| HViST-13 | 110 min | Every 45′-90′ | Istanbul Airport – Sabiha Gökçen Airport | 400 ₺ |
| HViST-14 | 120 min | Every 45′ | Istanbul Airport – Kadıköy | 320 ₺ |
| HViST-15 | 75 min | Every 30′-60′ | Istanbul Airport – Beşiktaş | 355 ₺ |
| HViST-16 | 90 min | Every 20′-30′ | Istanbul Airport – Taksim Square | 355 ₺ |
IETT Shuttle Buses
IETT public buses cater more to locals and travel to less touristic areas. If you know your exact location, you might find a suitable bus route. Seven IETT lines connect the airport to Istanbul. The Mobiett app can be very helpful for navigating these routes. IETT bus tickets are cheaper but involve more stops, making the journey longer. An Istanbulkart is required to pay for IETT buses and can be purchased from vending machines at the bus station.
| Line | Duration | Frequency | Destination | Price (Turkish Liras) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IETT H-1 | 98 min | Every 80′ | Istanbul Airport – Mahmutbey Metro Station | 27₺ |
| IETT H-2 | 104 min | Every 25′-30′ | Istanbul Airport – Mecidiyeköy | 27₺ |
| IETT H-3 | 109 min | Every 90′ | Istanbul Airport – Halkalı Marmaray Station | 27₺ |
| IETT H-6 | 93 min | Every 30′-50′ | Istanbul Airport – Yunus Emre Borough / Arnavutköy | 27₺ |
| IETT H-8 | 131 min | Every 3-4 hours | Istanbul Airport – Hacıosman Metro Station / Sarıyer | 27₺ |
| IETT H-9 | 123 min | 4 times/day | Istanbul Airport – Cevizlibağ | 27₺ |
Intercity Buses from Istanbul Airport
Three bus companies—HAVALINES, BURULAŞ, and İstanbul Seyahat—handle intercity transfers to and from Istanbul Airport. For more information, you can visit their websites:
Where is the Bus Station at Istanbul International Airport?
The bus station is located on the -2 floor of the terminal. It is easily accessible by elevators and escalators from both the Departures and Arrivals levels, with plenty of signage to guide you.
FAQs
How can I get from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul city center by bus?
You can choose between Havaist buses, which travel to popular destinations with fewer stops and spacious luggage storage, or IETT public buses, which are cheaper but involve more stops and longer travel times.
How much does the bus ticket from Istanbul Airport to Istanbul city center cost?
Havaist shuttle buses cost between 130₺ and 400₺ while IETT buses cost 27₺.
Do you prefer to travel by metro? Here is the detailed guide of Istanbul Airport Metro Line m11.
There is another budget friendly option from Istanbul airport to city center. It cost 15 Euros per person to Sultanahmet ot to Taksim. Check our Istanbul Airport Shuttle guide to see the timetable and all other details.
