ComeToGuide
View All Airports
20 km • ~36 mins

How to Get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Arnavutköy

Istanbul Airport (IST) is about 20 km from Arnavutköy district centre. Depending on traffic and mode, the trip takes roughly 36-55 minutes, with public buses, taxis and private transfers all available.

✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026 • 20 km road distance

Private Transfer from IST to Arnavutköy

Door-to-Door
36 mins •On Request (24/7)
€35 - €45 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit baggage claim and look for your driver in the Arrivals hall holding a name sign.
  2. Confirm the pre-booked rate and vehicle before leaving the terminal.
  3. The driver takes the Arnavutköy road; door-to-door journey is about 36 minutes without heavy traffic.
  4. Ask the driver to drop you exactly at your hotel or district address.
Kiwitaxi
✓ Fixed Price • Meet & Greet at Exit
Book Fixed-Price Transfer

Official Airport Taxi

Metered Taxi
36 mins •On Demand (24/7)
€18.50 - €31 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs to the official taxi rank outside the Arrivals exits; ignore touts inside the hall.
  2. Take a licensed yellow, D-segment, turquoise or black taxi and insist the meter is on.
  3. Give the address 'Arnavutköy' and keep a payment card ready; confirm card acceptance before boarding if needed.
  4. The 20 km ride takes about 36 minutes; no Bosphorus bridge toll applies, so only the metered fare should be charged.

Havaist Airport Coach HVİST-5-A

Direct Coach
40 mins •Regular departures, see hava.ist timetable
€2.30 / Person
Luggage: 1-2 Pieces in Hold
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From Arrivals, follow signs to the Transportation floor (-2).
  2. Find Platform 5A for the HVİST-5-A Arnavutköy coach.
  3. Pay on board with Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card; the fare is 130 TRY, about €2.30.
  4. Store luggage in the coach hold and get off at the Arnavutköy stop.
  5. From the stop, it may be a short taxi ride or walk to your exact address.

İETT City Bus H-6

Low Cost
55 mins •See timetable
€1.50 / Person
Luggage: Limited Luggage Space
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Go to the Transportation floor (-2) and look for the İETT city bus stop.
  2. Board H-6 marked Arnavutköy (Yunus Emre Mah.) / Mescid-i Selam metro.
  3. Pay with Istanbulkart; city airport buses charge two fares, about 84 TRY or €1.50.
  4. Get off at the Arnavutköy/Yunus Emre stop and continue by local taxi or on foot.
  5. Luggage space is limited, so this is best with small bags.

Istanbul Airport Deals

Compare all terminal car rental desks with free 48h cancellation.

Small Medium Large
Compare Terminal Car Prices
Landing in Turkey?
Skip expensive airport SIM kiosks. Activate a 5G eSIM on your phone in 2 minutes before takeoff.
Get Turkey eSIM
Was your flight delayed or cancelled?
In some cases passengers are entitled to compensation. AirHelp checks your flight for free and only charges a fee if they win your claim.
Check my rights for free

⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Use only the official taxi rank outside Arrivals; never follow drivers who approach you in the terminal.
  • Insist the meter is turned on and confirm card acceptance before boarding; this 20 km European-side trip has no Bosphorus bridge toll.
  • Pay buses with Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card; do not buy paper tickets from touts.
  • If a taxi driver quotes a fixed price far above €31, refuse and use BiTaksi or İTaksi, or return to the official queue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get from IST to Arnavutköy?

The İETT H-6 city bus costs about 84 TRY (€1.50) and the Havaist HVİST-5-A coach costs 130 TRY (€2.30). Both leave from the -2 transportation floor.

How long does the transfer take?

Taxi or private transfer takes about 36 minutes without heavy traffic, the Havaist coach takes about 40-50 minutes, and the H-6 city bus can take 55 minutes or more depending on stops.

Can I pay by card?

Yes, Havaist and İETT accept Istanbulkart or contactless bank cards. Many official taxis have card readers, but confirm before the ride; private transfers can be prepaid by card.

Are there night bus services to Arnavutköy?

Taxis and pre-booked private transfers run 24/7. Havaist and İETT bus times are not listed as 24/7, so check the hava.ist timetable or use a taxi late at night.

Which option is best for a family with suitcases?

A private transfer or official taxi is easiest because it is door-to-door, handles luggage, and takes about 36 minutes. The Havaist coach has a hold for bags and is a good budget choice.

More transfers from Istanbul Airport (IST)

Başakşehir · 31.8 km Eyüpsultan · 39 km Bağcılar · 40.1 km Esenler · 40.7 km Beyoğlu · 43.7 km Taksim Square · 44.3 km Bayrampaşa · 44.3 km Beşiktaş · 44.3 km

Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative and can change.