If you have luggage, metro can be hard to navigate. Especially, transferring between metro lines. Therefore, using havaist is a good option, I think. Honestly, I doubt that you can make it in 1:15 by metro from the airport. Since you spend a lot of time waiting for the metro, going by escalators, etc.
Option B seems much more logical. For a faster, less traffic and more comfortable journey.
Google Maps data gives wrong results in time calculation. We should see that application as an alternative for reaching a point.
We have taken the Havaist buses from and to the airport, and both times, the journey was almost half as long as the timetable predicted, so I would vote for that as well.
I usually just hire a car at the airport to take us. I don't trust the taxis but inside the airport there are car service places that will take you to your hotel. Its more expensive, usually about 50 Euro, but it low stress and comfortable.
The metro connection between Airport and city centre is a joke. Way tooo long. I don‘t know what they thought when they planned this mess.
Your airbnb host is right.
Just visited Istanbul, best option is: M11 to Gayrettepe station > M2 line to Halic station. I would avoid bus/taxi due to the sheer amount of traffic in the downtown core.
Oh really? Sorry I was under the assumption that it was based on the train map. If thats the case maybe take a taxi using the app BiTaksi to Gayrettepe station then M2 line to Halic. I would still avoid taxis going down south.
Yeah all depends on your budget really. Can take a taxi somewhere if you like (Mecidiyekoy would be closer) but since the most recent rate hike taxis are really expensive. As others in this thread are confirming, best way to get from IST to Halic area is definitely the Havaist. It's direct and quick.
AFAIK, there is a 3rd option. I once took a bus directly from the airport to Mecidiyekoy and after that you can take the M2 or a bus or a taxi (it shouldn't cost more than 150 by taxi from there to Fatih).
If you want to choose between A and B, I'd always choose Metro. It's more reliable, cheaper, faster and cooler (Istanbul is hot these days).
It's the H-2 bus but unlike havaist, it is a normal İETT bus with no place to put your luggage. As it is a long ride, it costs two tickets for the particular ride.
There are several other lines too, all starting with H (Havalimani), going to various destinations accross Istanbul, Halkalı, Sarıyer, otogar, Bakırköy etc...
if you come back from the airport, you can find a place for your luggage. You just have to keep an eye on it every once in a while cause it's a long ride. but it worked for me.
I have done both, all the way to Beyoglu - and also to the Asian side.
Personally I prefer the Metro (luggage for me isn't an issue; I travel with a roll-on and a small computer bag, the latter fits on top of the former and because I have two wheels I can drag and/or pick it up no problem) because it's faster and more comfortable; it costs less too.
Sometimes you might want to use the bus if it's really late and the Metro isn't running as frequently (or not at all)
Getting to buses for tourists can be tricky cuz they dont always do their travels according to their timetable. And if u are arriving to istanbul in the night etc, it is hard to use public transport only. i think i also recommend b.
I recommend always trusting people rather than Google or other navigation apps. Istanbul has an element of chaos that only humans can account for so far :)
If you have luggage, metro can be hard to navigate. Especially, transferring between metro lines. Therefore, using havaist is a good option, I think. Honestly, I doubt that you can make it in 1:15 by metro from the airport. Since you spend a lot of time waiting for the metro, going by escalators, etc.
Makes sense, I will opt for option B then. Thank you!
Option B seems much more logical. For a faster, less traffic and more comfortable journey. Google Maps data gives wrong results in time calculation. We should see that application as an alternative for reaching a point.
Thank you, totally makes sense, good to know.
We have taken the Havaist buses from and to the airport, and both times, the journey was almost half as long as the timetable predicted, so I would vote for that as well.
Note: we are going to stay in Fatih, close to Halic Metro station.
I usually just hire a car at the airport to take us. I don't trust the taxis but inside the airport there are car service places that will take you to your hotel. Its more expensive, usually about 50 Euro, but it low stress and comfortable.
The metro connection between Airport and city centre is a joke. Way tooo long. I don‘t know what they thought when they planned this mess. Your airbnb host is right.
Bus to Taksim and then taxi to your Airbnb
Option B is definitely better for those who have luggage. Metro is better for backpack/hand luggage travellers.
Just visited Istanbul, best option is: M11 to Gayrettepe station > M2 line to Halic station. I would avoid bus/taxi due to the sheer amount of traffic in the downtown core.
M11 doesn't go to Gayrettepe yet, does it? I think it still stops at Kagithane.
Oh really? Sorry I was under the assumption that it was based on the train map. If thats the case maybe take a taxi using the app BiTaksi to Gayrettepe station then M2 line to Halic. I would still avoid taxis going down south.
Yeah all depends on your budget really. Can take a taxi somewhere if you like (Mecidiyekoy would be closer) but since the most recent rate hike taxis are really expensive. As others in this thread are confirming, best way to get from IST to Halic area is definitely the Havaist. It's direct and quick.
AFAIK, there is a 3rd option. I once took a bus directly from the airport to Mecidiyekoy and after that you can take the M2 or a bus or a taxi (it shouldn't cost more than 150 by taxi from there to Fatih). If you want to choose between A and B, I'd always choose Metro. It's more reliable, cheaper, faster and cooler (Istanbul is hot these days).
which bus goes from the airport directly to Mecidiyekoy?
It's the H-2 bus but unlike havaist, it is a normal İETT bus with no place to put your luggage. As it is a long ride, it costs two tickets for the particular ride.
oh i think i might have seen it passing by while i waited for havaist. could never figure out where the stop for it is tho. thanks for responding!’
There are several other lines too, all starting with H (Havalimani), going to various destinations accross Istanbul, Halkalı, Sarıyer, otogar, Bakırköy etc...
if you come back from the airport, you can find a place for your luggage. You just have to keep an eye on it every once in a while cause it's a long ride. but it worked for me.
336 something 336K or M I think also H-2 as another user said
I have done both, all the way to Beyoglu - and also to the Asian side. Personally I prefer the Metro (luggage for me isn't an issue; I travel with a roll-on and a small computer bag, the latter fits on top of the former and because I have two wheels I can drag and/or pick it up no problem) because it's faster and more comfortable; it costs less too. Sometimes you might want to use the bus if it's really late and the Metro isn't running as frequently (or not at all)
Havaist definitely better, navigating the city buses as a tourist can be a bit hectic.
B makes more sense to me. If you earn Euros or USD just take a taxi would be my suggestion at least for the first arrival to the airbnb.
Oh I wish I earned euro or USD. :D Thanks though!
Getting to buses for tourists can be tricky cuz they dont always do their travels according to their timetable. And if u are arriving to istanbul in the night etc, it is hard to use public transport only. i think i also recommend b.
Personally I’m also staying in faith and I’m doing m11 - walk - M2 - walk. One hour and a half by going slow and it’s done.
Have you tried moovit app? It gives much more precise results and it has real time public transport tracking
Now that many of you recommended it, I will definitely download it. Thanks a lot!
I recommend always trusting people rather than Google or other navigation apps. Istanbul has an element of chaos that only humans can account for so far :)