Istanbul Airports and Stations: How to Get to the City

Arriving in Istanbul is easier to organise when you know which airport or railway station belongs to your journey. The city has several airports and ten main railway stations, so choosing the correct arrival point is an important first step. This page brings together our individual guides, including information about the usual ways to reach the city and available options for arranging onward travel.

Start by finding the airport or station named in your travel plans. Open its guide to explore the available connections, then consider whether you would prefer to arrange a transfer or ticket in advance. The right choice depends on your individual journey.

Airports and stations

• Alibeyköy Bus Terminal – Istanbul's second-busiest intercity bus terminal, opened in 2014 and designed as a modern, airport-style hub with 110 platforms. Located northwest of the city center…
• Bakırköy Railway Station – The main railway hub in Bakırköy, serving high-speed trains to Ankara, regional trains and Marmaray commuter rail to across Istanbul. A key transport interchange…
• Best Airport Lounges in Istanbul: IST vs SAW Access, Prices and Facilities – Compare iGA and Turkish Airlines lounges at IST with Plaza Premium and airline options at SAW, by terminal area, access and facilities.
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• Beşiktaş Ferry Terminal – A major ferry terminal on Istanbul's European waterfront, connecting the Bosphorus with regular crossings to Kadıköy, Üsküdar and the Princes' Islands. Historical hub for…
• Can You Leave Istanbul Airport During a Layover? Transit and Visa Rules – Check whether you can enter Türkiye, where your bags will go and how much time remains for a city visit before your onward flight.
• Eminönü Ferry Terminal – Eminönü Pier is a busy ferry terminal and waterfront pier in the Eminönü quarter on Istanbul's historic peninsula, located beside the Galata Bridge and…
• Esenler Bus Terminal – Istanbul's largest intercity bus terminal, connecting to cities across Turkey and neighbouring countries. Located in Bayrampaşa district with direct metro access.
• Eyüp Ferry Terminal – The western terminus of Istanbul's Golden Horn ferry line, offering an affordable way to cruise the length of the Golden Horn while connecting to…
• Gebze Railway Station – Gebze Railway Station opened in 1873 as part of the Constantinople-Izmit railway, built by the Ottoman government. Today it is a TCDD Taşımacılık high-speed…
• Halkalı Railway Station – The westernmost railway hub in Istanbul, serving Marmaray commuter trains that cross the Bosphorus, high-speed trains to Ankara, and regional and international trains to…
• Harem Bus Terminal – A historic intercity bus terminal on Istanbul's Asian side, strategically located near the Bosphorus. Once the city's busiest transport hub, Harem Terminal now primarily…
• Istanbul Airport – Istanbul Airport (IST) is Turkey's largest and Europe's busiest airport, located 35 km northwest of the city center in the Arnavutköy district on the…
• Istanbul Airport Luggage Storage: Locations, Prices and Alternatives – Find arrivals storage, departures lockers and the international airside office at IST, and choose a location you can reach again.
• Istanbul Cruise Port Guide: Galataport to the Old City in One Day – Get from Galataport to Sultanahmet on T1, choose one main interior and return with time for ship access.
• Kabataş Ferry Terminal – A renovated modern ferry terminal on the European shore of the Bosphorus, connecting central Istanbul to the Asian side, Princes' Islands, and towns up…
• Kadıköy Ferry Terminal – The main İDO (high-speed seabus) terminal on Kadıköy's waterfront, serving ferries across the Sea of Marmara and to central Istanbul. Opened in 1992, it…
• Karaköy Ferry Terminal – Historic ferry pier on the Golden Horn connecting European and Asian Istanbul. Operated by Şehir Hatları, serving multiple destinations with frequent crossings every 15–20…
• Pendik Railway Station – Pendik Railway Station is Istanbul's eastern gateway on the Asian side, serving high-speed trains to Ankara and Konya as well as local commuter rail…
• Sabiha Gökçen Airport – Istanbul's second-largest airport on the Asian side, 32 km southeast of the city centre. Direct metro connection to the city, modern terminal with comprehensive…
• Self-Transfer at Istanbul Airports: Baggage, Immigration and Connection Times – Work out whether to collect bags, enter Türkiye or change airports, then build a connection around the onward airline’s deadlines.
• Sleeping at Istanbul Airport: Overnight Lounges, Sleep Pods and Hotels – Choose the right side of IST for an overnight rest, then compare iGA Sleepod, lounge seating and the two terminal hotels.
• Touristanbul: Free Turkish Airlines City Tour During a Layover – Use an eligible international connection at Istanbul Airport for a free Turkish Airlines city tour. Check flight timing, registration and return requirements.
• Turkish Airlines Free Stopover Hotel in Istanbul: How to Qualify – Check whether your Turkish Airlines round trip qualifies for a free Istanbul stopover hotel, then apply before departure and get your voucher.
• Turkish Airlines Free Transit Hotel: Eligibility and How to Claim It – Find out when Turkish Airlines offers a free hotel for a scheduled connection at Istanbul Airport and how to ask for it at the…
• Üsküdar Ferry Terminal – Historic ferry terminal on the Asian shore of the Bosporus, opening daily routes to Eminönü, Karaköy and along the Golden Horn. Operating since 1853,…

Choose the right arrival point

Begin with the airport or railway station connected to your journey rather than choosing a transfer before you know where you will arrive. The guides are organised around individual arrival points, making it easier to focus on information relevant to your route.

If you are still comparing travel arrangements, examine the available arrival points and their usual connections into the city. Consider where your onward journey needs to end and how much planning you would prefer to complete before departure. An arrival point is only one part of the journey, so the most useful guide is the one that helps you understand the connection between arriving and reaching your next destination. Avoid treating different stations or airports as interchangeable.

Compare the usual ways into the city

Each arrival guide is intended to help you understand the usual transport options for continuing into Istanbul. Read the relevant guide before deciding which connection best suits your plans. Think about whether you prefer to organise the next part of the journey independently or arrange it beforehand.

A suitable connection should fit your arrival point, intended destination and personal preferences. If you are comparing several possibilities, concentrate on the differences that matter to you rather than assuming one option is best for every visitor. The guides provide a starting point for understanding your choices. Details of an individual connection may change, so confirm the arrangement with the relevant operator before relying on it.

Decide whether to book ahead

Some travellers prefer to arrange their onward journey before departure, while others want to review the available options first. The guides include opportunities to consider transfers or tickets in advance, depending on the arrival point and available arrangements.

Before choosing a booking option, make sure it relates to the correct airport or station and the journey you intend to make. Read the description carefully so you understand what the arrangement includes and where the service begins or ends. If you are not ready to book, use the guides to compare possibilities and keep your preferred option in mind. The aim is to arrive with a clear understanding of your next step.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the right airport or station guide?

Start with the arrival point shown in your travel plans. Find its entry in the list and open the corresponding guide.

Does this page cover both airports and railway stations?

Yes. It brings together guides for Istanbul's airports and main railway stations, with information about continuing into the city.

Can I compare different ways to reach the city?

The individual guides describe the usual onward travel options for their arrival points. Read the relevant guide to consider which arrangement suits your journey.

Can I arrange a transfer in advance?

The guides include options for arranging transfers or tickets ahead of your journey where available. Check the details of the individual option before making arrangements.

Should I choose a transfer before confirming my arrival point?

It is better to identify your arrival point first. This helps you concentrate on connections that relate to the correct airport or station.