Cruise port transfer
Galataport cruise port transfer
Your driver meets you at the terminal exit with a sign bearing your name, helps with your luggage and takes you to the airport, your hotel or anywhere in Istanbul. The price is fixed per vehicle when you book, and you pay the driver in cash at the end of the ride.
- Meeting pointTerminal exit
- To Istanbul Airport45–75 min
- PaymentCash: TL, € or $
- Service24/7
Prices from Galataport
| Destination | Price from |
|---|---|
| Istanbul Airport (IST)about 45 km · 45–75 min | |
| Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)about 50 km · 50–90 min | |
| Taksim / Beyoğluabout 3 km · 10–20 min | |
| Sultanahmet (Old City)about 4 km · 10–20 min | |
| Beşiktaşabout 4 km · 10–25 min |
Prices are per vehicle, not per person, and stay the same in traffic. Going somewhere else? Enter the address in the form to see its fixed price.
What's included
- Fixed price, no meter
- Meet & greet at the terminal exit with a name sign
- Pickup planned around your ship's schedule
- Help with your luggage
- Child seats on request
- Pay the driver in cash: TL, EUR or USD
- Free cancellation and full refund up to 24 hours before pickup
What our guests say
Overall rating
4.9 (90 reviews)
- Spyros Kousi · Google
★★★★★
Ercan Erbay organised everything exactly how we wanted. Enis Erbay was our driver. He was very professional and very friendly. He helped us with everything and gave us some info about the city. Exceptional people and amazing service. We will definitely choose them again next time.
Read on Google → - Mario Ivanov · Google
★★★★★
Самая лучшая компания для трансферам. Машины люкс, каждым раз приезжают во время. Водители очень любезные. И цены тоже хорошие. Рекомендую .
Read on Google → - Nur Sahin · Google
★★★★★
Enis Erbay ile gerçekleştirdiğimiz transfer oldukça keyifli ve konforluydu. Kendisi son derece nazik, samimi ve profesyonel bir yaklaşım sergiledi. Yol boyunca geçtiğimiz yerler hakkında bilgilendirici paylaşımlarda bulundu ve İstanbul’da yapılabilecek aktiviteler konusunda değerli öneriler sundu. İlgi ve nezaketi için kendisine tekrar teşekkür ederiz.
Read on Google → - Angela Tudor · Trustpilot
★★★★★
Thanks a lot for providing during a business trip to Istanbul
Thanks a lot for providing during a very short time a very comfortable and clean car. Driver arrived in advance and was waiting in front of the hotel. I did the car reservation just few hours before the flight, so appreciate that owner has texted me on Whatsupp to receive my details. My husband and son appreciate the car comfort and the stars on the car ceiling. I would definitely recommend this car service.
Read on Trustpilot → - Denada Latifi · Trustpilot
★★★★★
Excellent
The taxi service from the airport to the hotel was excellent and very smooth. The driver arrived on time, was friendly, and helped us with our luggage without any issues. The car was clean and comfortable, which made the ride really relaxing after a long flight. The journey was quick and stress-free, and everything was exactly as expected.
Read on Trustpilot → - Arlinda Lekaj Jusufi · Trustpilot
★★★★★
In my case they went above and beyond on providing a service
Read on Trustpilot → - Villa Fjorentin Berat · Google
★★★★★
Enis was our personal Vito driver who picked us up directly from the airport, and from the very first moment everything was perfectly organized. He arrived on time with a clean and comfortable Mercedes Vito, making our transfer smooth and stress-free. Beyond just the ride, Enis went the extra mile and organized a beautiful evening for us on a cruise ship, creating an unforgettable experience. Everything was arranged professionally and with great attention to detail.
Read on Google → - Hannes Van Velden · Trustpilot
★★★★★
Enis was not only efficient but so welcoming and friendly. He made our transfers very enjoyable and was full of handy hints for our trip. It was very smooth and we would recommend him to anyone
Read on Trustpilot → - Bujar Jakupi · Trustpilot
★★★★★
During my stay in Istanbul, I had the opportunity to travel from the hotel to the airport. The company was very professional, the vehicle was ultra-modern, and the driver was very polite. Erxhani was also very cooperative. Everything was simply perfect. I travel to Istanbul often, and I will not change this service anymore.
Read on Trustpilot → - Karthik M · Google
★★★★★
Very smooth experience. Will recommend to others. I booked a minivan for my family. We had small kids. I got quick replies via email. Once I landed in Istanbul, I was reached out via whatsapp. The WhatsApp responses were in English and prompt. I booked them again for my return to the airport. Strongly recommend this company for your travel needs.
Read on Google → - ArmyNurseElPaso_TX · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Highly recommend this company.
The company picked us up at 0425 with a last minute booking due to our other booking falling through. The driver was on time, helpful, a good driver, and the car was very nice. I highly recommend them.
Read on Tripadvisor → - Pasquale C · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Qualità/price _ highly recommend
Our transfer from the airport to the hotel was very comfortable and the driver advised us what to see in Istanbul and very helpful was the advice for the tour with dinner on the Bosphorus. We highly recommend
Read on Tripadvisor → - Venture45463812071 · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Istanbul Transfer
Before the pickup they shared a tutorial video which made pickup process very swift. Also the car was clean and has good chauffeur. It was a good experience.
Read on Tripadvisor → - Carlitos Kanas · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Fast, reliable, stress free
Reliable, hospitable, good driving. Show up on time for pickup, found a way to smoothly avoid all congregations in Istanbul traffic.
Read on Tripadvisor → - Vanessa · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Great service, made everything easy
Really great transfer service. Easy communication, pick ups on time, clean, comfy cars, everything went smoothly, even accomodating change to flight schedule. I was travelling solo to a part of Istanbul I hadnt been before, so this service was perfect. Good value too.
Read on Tripadvisor → - Anna · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Your safe and comfortable transfer 😇
We ordered transfer from Bodrum hotel to Efes town. The driver arrived on time and was polite, intelligent and took us to the place very safe. The car itself (Mercedes Vito) was clean and modern and comfortable. We highly recommend this company for your travels.
Read on Tripadvisor →
Galataport, Istanbul's cruise port
Galataport is Istanbul's cruise terminal, on the European shore of the Bosphorus between Karaköy and Tophane. The old port was rebuilt as a waterfront of shops, restaurants and museums, with the passenger terminal underground: passport control, customs and the luggage hall all lie below the promenade, so you come up by escalator onto a public waterfront rather than into a fenced port area. The port can handle up to three ships and 15,000 passengers a day.
More and more cruises now begin or end in Istanbul instead of calling here for a day, and since 2024 ships have sailed from Galataport in winter as well as in the main season from April to November. On a changeover day thousands of passengers leave the ships within a few hours, and Meclis-i Mebusan Caddesi, the street outside the port, fills with coaches and taxis.
From the port it is about 45 km to Istanbul Airport and 50 km to Sabiha Gökçen, but only 3 km to Taksim and 4 km to Sultanahmet. With a car booked in advance you don't have to look for a taxi with your luggage on a busy morning, and the price is agreed before you leave the ship.
How you meet your driver at Galataport
Five steps from the ship to the car.
- Tell us your shipAdd your ship's name and the time you expect to leave it to your booking. If your plans change on the day, message us on WhatsApp.
- You get the meeting detailsBefore your pickup we confirm the meeting point on WhatsApp. Switch your phone on when you leave the ship so the driver can reach you.
- Passport control and luggagePassport control, customs and the luggage hall are in the underground terminal. Collect your bags there and take the escalators up to the waterfront.
- Look for your nameYour driver waits at the terminal exit, at the meeting point we sent you, with a sign showing your name or the 3E logo.
- To the carThe driver helps with your luggage and walks you to the car. You pay at the end of the ride, in cash, in Turkish lira, euros or dollars.
Leaving the ship later than planned, or can't see your driver? Stay where you are and message us on WhatsApp at +90 541 334 2102. We answer around the clock and will guide you to each other.
Galataport to Istanbul Airport: your options
There are three ways from the port to Istanbul Airport. This is how they compare.
| Option | Price | Time to the airport | Door to door | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Fixed per vehicle, see prices above | 45–75 min | Yes | Driver meets you at the terminal exit; the price stays the same in traffic |
| Taxi | Meter: about 2,200 TL | 45–75 min | Yes | Few free taxis when several ships are in |
| Metro M2 + M11 | Lowest, İstanbulkart fares | About 1 hour from Şişhane | No | Climb to Şişhane first; change at Gayrettepe |
Fares checked in October 2026: taxi tariff of 20 July 2026, İstanbulkart fare of July 2026. They change during the year.
For a couple or a family with cruise luggage, a private transfer is the simplest way: the driver meets you at the terminal exit, and the car goes straight to the departures level. A taxi also drives you door to door, but on a busy morning, with several ships in port, free taxis are few and the queue can be long; on the meter, 71.94 TL to start plus 47.92 TL per kilometre since July 2026, the 45 km come to roughly 2,200 TL.
The metro is the cheapest way for one person travelling light. First you climb from the waterfront to Şişhane, on foot or by the Tünel funicular from Karaköy, then take the M2 to Gayrettepe and the M11 to the airport. With suitcases it is hard work: at Gayrettepe the M11 platform lies 72 metres underground, the deepest in Istanbul.
Where are you going? Destinations and travel times
Istanbul Airport (IST)
About 45 km, 45–75 minutes, north through Kağıthane and Göktürk. For an international flight, leave the port 4 to 4½ hours before departure, and earlier on a weekday evening. Galataport to Istanbul Airport transfer
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
About 50 km, 50–90 minutes, across the Bosphorus to the Asian side. Bridge and motorway tolls are included in our price; on request the car takes the Eurasia Tunnel instead, for 10 euros extra. For an international flight, leave the port 4½ to 5 hours before departure.
Taksim and Beyoğlu
About 3 km, 10–20 minutes uphill. Taksim Square and İstiklal Avenue are pedestrian zones, so for hotels there the driver stops at the nearest point a car may reach. Galataport to Taksim transfer
Sultanahmet and the Old City
About 4 km, 10–20 minutes across the Galata Bridge, longer at rush hour. Many hotels in Sultanahmet stand on narrow or pedestrian streets; where cars may not enter, the driver uses the nearest drop-off point. Galataport to Sultanahmet transfer
Beşiktaş and the Bosphorus shore
About 4 km, 10–25 minutes along the shore road past Dolmabahçe Palace. From Beşiktaş the car continues to the hotels in Ortaköy, Kuruçeşme and Bebek.
Tips for your cruise day
- Book with your ship's name. Add the ship and the time you expect to leave it, so we plan the pickup around your disembarkation.
- Plan from the time you leave the terminal, not from the docking time. Passengers leave the ship in groups, often over several hours, and passport control and the luggage hall come before the exit.
- Switch your phone on when you leave the ship. The driver and our team reach you on WhatsApp.
- Flying out in the evening? The Galataport Visitor Center at the D Block terminal entrance has left luggage, so you can see the city first and meet the driver at the port later.
- Embarking? Arrive at the time your cruise line gives you. Add your boarding time when you book, and we plan the pickup at the airport or your hotel so you reach the port in time.
- The tram is close. The T1 stop at Tophane is about 5 minutes' walk along the waterfront, with trams to Sultanahmet and to Kabataş, where the funicular climbs to Taksim.
- Carry Turkish lira, euros or dollars in cash. You pay the driver at the end of the ride.
- Travelling with a lot of luggage? Pick a minivan or minibus in the form. The price is per vehicle, so a family or group pays less per person than in two taxis.
Questions about Galataport transfers
How far is Galataport from Istanbul Airport?
About 45 km by road. By car it takes 45 to 75 minutes, longer on weekday mornings and evenings.
How early should I leave Galataport for my flight?
For an international flight from Istanbul Airport, leave the port 4 to 4½ hours before departure, and 4½ to 5 hours in heavy traffic or with a large group. For Sabiha Gökçen, allow 4½ to 5 hours. Count from the time you expect to leave the terminal with your bags, not from the time the ship docks.
Where will the driver meet me at Galataport?
At the terminal exit, after passport control and the luggage hall, holding a sign with your name or the 3E logo. We confirm the meeting point on WhatsApp before your pickup.
What if leaving the ship takes longer than planned?
Message us on WhatsApp at +90 541 334 2102 as soon as you know your new time, and we adjust the pickup. We answer around the clock.
Can I leave my luggage at Galataport?
Yes. The Galataport Visitor Center at the D Block terminal entrance has left luggage. With an evening flight, you can leave your bags there, see the city and meet the driver at the port later.
Is there a taxi rank at Galataport?
Taxis wait near the terminal exit, but on busy mornings, when several ships are in port, there are too few of them and the queue can be long. On the meter, Istanbul Airport comes to roughly 2,200 TL.
Can you take me from Galataport to Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
Yes. It is about 50 km across the Bosphorus and takes 50 to 90 minutes. Bridge and motorway tolls are included in the price.
Do you also drive to Galataport for embarkation?
Yes, from either airport or from your hotel. Add your ship's name and boarding time when you book, and we plan the pickup so you reach the port in time. See our Istanbul Airport to Galataport transfer.
Is the price per person or per vehicle?
Per vehicle. It covers all passengers and their luggage: one medium suitcase and one carry-on per passenger seat. With more luggage, choose a larger vehicle in the form.
How do I pay?
In cash to the driver at the end of the ride, in Turkish lira (TL), euros or US dollars. There is no prepayment and no credit card is needed to book.
Guides for this trip
- Galataport Disembarkation Day Guide 2026
- Galataport Embarkation Day Guide – When to Arrive and What to Expect
- Galataport to Hotel Transfer – Taksim & Sultanahmet
- Disembarkation Day at Galataport: The Half-Day Nobody Plans For (2026)
- One Day in Istanbul Before or After Your Cruise