Istanbul Airport Shuttle Bus (Havaist) (May 10, 2026 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.

Havaist istanbul airport shuttle bus

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 buses operate 24/7 from Istanbul Airport on many different routes, connecting the airport to almost every part of the city. Note that travel times can be affected by heavy traffic.

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.

Havaist Bus Station at Istanbul Airport (2nd Floor)

Most Popular Havaist Bus Routes from Istanbul Airport

Here are the two of the most popular Havaist shuttle buses from Istanbul Airport to major city hubs:

Havaist Bus from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet

*Important Update: Havaist Bus to Sultanahmet HVIST-11 started to operate again. But this time location of the station has changed. The new havaist bus station is called Çatladıkapı Station. There is a 7-12 minutes walk until Blue Mosque from there. Check the location link & the map below;

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 Area, drops  off the visitors 10 minutes away 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 Miniatürk and Sirkeci before arriving at Sultanahmet Area, which is ideal for hotels around the Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1W35mc8Zc6vQtxhm7

Location of Havaist Sultanahmet Stop. It's called Çatladıkapı Station
Location of Havaist Sultanahmet Stop. It's called Çatladıkapı Station

Havaist Bus from Istanbul Airport to Taksim

Havaist bus at Istanbul Airport offers a direct and comfortable airport bus connection from Istanbul Airport to Taksim.

The Havaist airport bus to Taksim operates 24/7, with departures usually every 30-60 minutes depending on the time of day. The journey from Istanbul Airport to Taksim generally takes around 80-100 minutes, but this can change according to Istanbul traffic.

At Istanbul Airport, follow the signs to the Havaist bus departure area (-2nd floor ) and look for the Taksim route. Before traveling, it is always useful to check the official Havaist app or website for live departure times, platform details, and possible service updates.

The Havaist Taksim airport bus is one of the most popular routes for visitors staying around Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, Cihangir, Galata, Nişantaşı, and nearby hotels. It is a practical option if you want a direct transfer from Istanbul Airport to the city center without using the metro or changing vehicles.

Check the chart below for the updated Havaist Bus prices, routes and timings.

Line From To Duration Frequency Price ( Turkish Liras)
HViST-16 Istanbul Airport Taksim Square 90 min Every 20′-30′ 426 ₺
HViST-15 Istanbul Airport Beşiktaş 75 min Every 30′-60′ 426 ₺
HViST-12 Istanbul Airport Aksaray Metro 90 min Every 20′-25′ 426 ₺
HViST-13 Istanbul Airport Sabiha Gökçen Airport 110 min Every 45′-90′ 480 ₺
HViST-11 Istanbul Airport Sultanahmet (Çatladikapı) 110 min Every 45′-90′ 380 ₺
Havaist Bus to Taksim

Other Popular Havaist Bus Routes & Prices

Line Duration Frequency Destination Price ( Turkish Liras)
HViST-5 75 min Every 45′-60′ Istanbul Airport – Esenler Otogar 336 ₺
HViST-6 90 min Every 60′-70′ Istanbul Airport – Başakşehir 318 ₺
HViST-8 90 min Every 20′ Istanbul Airport – Beylikdüzü 420 ₺
HViST-9 120 min Every 60′ Istanbul Airport – Avcılar 336 ₺
HViST-10 80 min Every 30′ Istanbul Airport – Bakırköy 384 ₺
HViST-12 90 min Every 20′-25′ Istanbul Airport – Aksaray Metro 426 ₺
HViST-13 110 min Every 45′-90′ Istanbul Airport – Sabiha Gökçen Airport 480 ₺
HViST-14 120 min Every 45′ Istanbul Airport – Kadıköy 468 ₺
HViST-15 75 min Every 30′-60′ Istanbul Airport – Beşiktaş 426 ₺
HViST-16 90 min Every 20′-30′ Istanbul Airport – Taksim Square 426 ₺

IETT Airport Shuttle Buses

Comparing to Havaist Airport Shuttle, 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 42₺
IETT H-2 104 min Every 25′-30′ Istanbul Airport – Mecidiyeköy 42₺
IETT H-3 109 min Every 90′ Istanbul Airport – Halkalı Marmaray Station 42₺
IETT H-6 93 min Every 30′-50′ Istanbul Airport – Yunus Emre Borough / Arnavutköy 42₺
IETT H-8 131 min Every 3-4 hours Istanbul Airport – Hacıosman Metro Station / Sarıyer 42₺
IETT H-9 123 min 4 times/day Istanbul Airport – Cevizlibağ 42₺

Intercity Buses from Istanbul Airport

Three bus companies, HAVALINES, BURULAŞ, and Istanbul Seyahat handle intercity transfers to and from Istanbul Airport. You can travel to Bursa, Edirne and many other major cities around Istanbul, with these intercity coach buses.

They are located on the same floor (-2nd floor) as well as the Havaist airport Shuttle. For more information, visit their websites:

Intercities Bus Station at Istanbul Airport -Bus to Bursa, Edirne etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

HAVAIST is an airport shuttle bus service in Istanbul. It connects Istanbul Airport with many central areas of the city, including Sultanahmet. The buses are comfortable and usually include features like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and USB charging, which makes them a practical choice for visitors.

After you arrive at Istanbul Airport, follow the signs toward the arrivals area and transportation level. The HAVAIST stops are located on the -2nd floor of the terminal. For Sultanahmet, look for the route marked Sultanahmet / Sirkeci.

You will find Havaist Buses on -2 floor of Istanbul Airport. They are more expensive than regular public İETT buses but cheaper than taxis. Havaist buses operate at the airport, transferring passengers together with their luggage to major locations across Istanbul for round 426 Turkish Liras (Price for Taksim Line). Havaist buses are cheaper than taxis and more expensive than public İETT buses.

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.

Havaist shuttle buses cost between 170₺ and 420₺  while IETT buses cost 42₺.

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.

You can buy HAVAIST tickets from the ticket machines or kiosks near the bus stop. Seats are generally available on a first come, first served basis, so most travelers purchase their ticket shortly before boarding.

The journey from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet usually takes around 45 minutes. However, Istanbul traffic can affect the travel time, especially during busy hours.

At the time of writing, a one way HAVAIST ticket between Istanbul Airport and Sultanahmet costs around 380 Turkish Liras. Prices may change, so it is best to check the latest fare before traveling.

From Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet, payment may be possible by cash or card, although cash can sometimes be easier. On the return journey from Sultanahmet to the airport, card payment is usually accepted, but payment options may change.

To return to Istanbul Airport from Sultanahmet, go to the HAVAIST stop near the Çatladıkapı bus station. Buses usually run about every 30 minutes. The trip takes around 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

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