Private transfer
Sultanahmet (Old City) to Istanbul Airport (IST) transfer
Private transfer from Sultanahmet (Old City) to Istanbul Airport (IST) at a fixed price per vehicle. Your driver meets you with a name sign, helps with your luggage and takes you straight to your address.
- Distanceabout 50 km
- Driving time45–90 min
- PaymentCash: TL, € or $
Prices for this route
Economy
3 passengers · 3 bags
€51≈ $57
Standard Van
7 passengers · 7 bags
€55≈ $62
First Class Van
6 passengers · 6 bags
€75≈ $84
Minibus
16 passengers · 16 bags
€75≈ $84
Prices are per vehicle, not per person, and stay the same in traffic. Prices checked on November 3, 2026.
What's included
- Fixed price, no meter
- Meet & greet with a name sign
- Free waiting time
- Help with your luggage
- Child seats on request
- Pay cash to the driver
- Free cancellation and full refund up to 24 hours before pickup
A local, licensed transfer company
- Licensed travel agency: TÜRSAB no. 12556 (Shqiptar Travel).
- In business since 2019, with an office in Pendik, Istanbul.
- Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 148 reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and Trustpilot.
- The same terms on every booking: 90 minutes of free waiting at the airport, free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup, payment to the driver in cash (TL, euro or dollars).
- You deal with us directly, not with a booking platform: one phone and WhatsApp number, +90 541 334 21 02, day and night.
What our guests say
Overall rating
4.9 (148 reviews)
Google rating
4.9 (58 reviews)
Tripadvisor rating
5.0 (51 reviews)
Trustpilot rating
4.8 (39 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 →
The drive from Sultanahmet to Istanbul Airport
Sultanahmet and Istanbul Airport are both on the European side, so the drive does not cross the Bosphorus. It is about 50 km, out of the old city along the Golden Horn or the Marmara shore and then north on the motorways to the airport. Early in the morning or late at night it takes about 45 minutes; on weekday mornings and evenings, and on Friday afternoons, allow up to 90.
For an international flight we suggest leaving Sultanahmet about 3½ to 4 hours before departure: up to 1½ hours on the road, and about 3 hours at the airport for the security check at the terminal entrance, check-in and passport control.
How the pickup at your hotel works
Four steps from your hotel to the airport.
- Tell us where and whenAdd your hotel's name or address and your flight to the booking. We suggest a pickup time that leaves room for traffic and the airport's security check.
- You get the driver's detailsBefore the pickup we confirm the time and your driver's details on WhatsApp.
- The driver waits at the doorThe driver arrives at your hotel's entrance a few minutes early. Where cars cannot stop, they wait at the nearest point and tell you where. Waiting is free for 30 minutes.
- To the airportThe driver loads your luggage and drops you at the departures level. You pay at the end of the ride, in cash, in Turkish lira, euros or dollars.
Running late, or can't find the car? Message us on WhatsApp at +90 541 334 2102. We answer around the clock.
Sultanahmet to Istanbul Airport: your options
There are four ways to get from Sultanahmet to Istanbul Airport. This is how they compare.
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Fixed per vehicle, see prices above | 45–90 min | Yes | Pickup at your hotel's door; 30 minutes of free waiting |
| Taxi | Meter: about 2,450 TL | 45–90 min | Yes | Price rises in slow traffic; few taxis stop in the narrow streets of the old city |
| Havaist bus (HVL-11) | 420–470 TL per person | About 1½ h | No | Walk to the stop with your bags; check the timetable on hava.ist |
| Tram, Marmaray and M11 | Lowest, İstanbulkart fares | About 1½–2 h | No | T1 to Sirkeci, the Marmaray to Halkalı, then the M11 to the airport: two changes |
Fares checked in October 2026: taxi tariff of 20 July 2026, Havaist fares of autumn 2026 (sources give 420 and 470 TL), İstanbulkart fare of July 2026. They change during the year.
The bus and the rail route are the cheapest ways, but with suitcases the cobbled streets of Sultanahmet, the stairs at Sirkeci and two changes of train make them hard work before a flight. A car is simpler: the driver picks you up at your hotel's door, loads your bags and drops you at the departures level, and the price does not change in traffic.
Arriving at Istanbul Airport for your flight
The driver drops you at the departures level of the terminal and helps you with your bags. A security check at the terminal entrance comes before check-in, so allow time for the queue, and be at the airport about 3 hours before an international flight.
International and domestic flights leave from the same terminal. If you have a long wait before your flight, the departures area has plenty of cafés and shops after passport control.
Questions about this transfer
How long does the transfer from Sultanahmet (Old City) to Istanbul Airport (IST) take?
About 45–90 minutes for roughly 50 km, depending on traffic.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is per vehicle and fixed when you book, so traffic does not change it.
Where does the driver meet me?
At your hotel's entrance, at the time you book. Before the pickup we confirm the time and your driver's details on WhatsApp.
How early should I leave Sultanahmet for Istanbul Airport?
For an international flight, about 3½ to 4 hours before departure; for a domestic flight, about 2½ to 3 hours. On Friday afternoons and in heavy rain, leave earlier. We suggest a pickup time when you book.
How much is a taxi from Sultanahmet to Istanbul Airport?
On the Istanbul meter, 71.94 TL to start plus 47.92 TL per kilometre since July 2026, the 50 km come to roughly 2,450 TL in normal traffic, more in a jam. Our price is fixed per vehicle and shown before you book.
Can the car reach my hotel in Sultanahmet?
Usually yes. Some streets around the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque are closed to cars or very narrow; then the driver waits at the nearest point and tells you where on WhatsApp, and helps with your bags.
What if I am late coming down?
Waiting is free for 30 minutes at your hotel. After that it is 10 euros for every 15 minutes. If you are running late, message us on WhatsApp.