1. How to Get From Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet by Train

    Before I travelled to Istanbul in December, I spent some time trying to research how to get the train from Atatürk Airport to Sultanahmet where we would be staying. Unfortunately I only found a few websites from searching on Google and none of them were remotely helpful – way too much pointless information on them. I also found a lot of websites saying just to book a private transfer but this is an expensive option compared to the cheap and affordable public transport that Istanbul has to offer. So to try and help anyone else who wants to do this journey, I took photos every step of the way to write a blog post to show how easy and simple this journey is.

    The Atatürk Havalimani Metro Station is located underneath the international terminal at the airport. To reach the station you will need to turn right after exiting baggage reclaim and customs and follow the signs to the far end of the terminal where you can take an escalator or elevator down to the basement level where the station is.

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    If you are staying in Istanbul for a few days as we were, the best thing you can do is purchase an Istanbulkart at the airport which can be used on nearly all modes of public transport once there. There is a kiosk at the entrance to the station where you can buy your Istanbulkart and the lady explained to us everything we needed to know about them as well as giving us a map of Istanbul. We paid 20TL each for an Istanbulkart (6TL card fee and 14TL worth of fare) which roughly works out to £4.70/$6.80 and you can top the cards easily up as and when you need during your stay using the machines at metro stations and tram stops. You can return the cards at the end of your stay if you wish but we have both kept ours in case we return to Istanbul – I have many of these cards from different cities all over the world which makes it so easy when travelling and returning to the same place.

    The total cost of the journey from Atatürk Airport to Sultanahmet using an Istanbulkart is 3.60TL (2.15TL initial fare then 1.45TL for the first transfer) which works out to roughly £0.80/$1.20.

    If you do not wish to buy an Istanbulkart then you can also buy Jetons (tokens) from the machines which cost 4TL each and you will need to purchase two per person when travelling from the airport to Sultanahmet. If you are also travelling back to the airport on the Metro/Tram then it really does make sense to buy an Istanbulkart as you will save over 8TL in total for the return journey which is more than the card fee for an Istanbulkart – it really is a no brainer.

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    You will need to tap your Istanbulkart at the turnstile or use a Jeton to enter the station and reach the platforms.

    As Atatürk Havalimani Station is at the end of the line then it is completely impossible to get on the wrong train when leaving the airport – all trains travel in the direction of Yenikapi on the M1 line. There is a sign with an arrow to indicate which side of the platform it will be for the next train and there will not be a long wait for the next train if you only just miss one.

    The main and best advantage of boarding the train at the end of the line is that you will have no problem in getting a seat. There is no luggage space on the Metro so just keep your bags with you and your other belongings close as you would do anywhere else in the world – common sense really.

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    After six stops, you will need to get off the train at Zeytinburnu to change to the T1 tram line which is located just outside the station.

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    You will need to tap your Istanbulkart again or use your second Jeton at the turnstiles when leaving the Metro platform and walking down the ramp to the tram platforms.

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    To get to Sultanahmet, you will need to take the T1 tram in the direction of Kabataş – the platforms are clearly signed which makes boarding the wrong tram very difficult. If you miss a tram, it is usually only a few minutes wait until the next one.

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    Sultanahmet is a total of sixteen stops from Zeytinburnu and there are announcements on the tram for each stop. The whole journey from Atatürk Airport to Sultanahmet takes just over fifty minutes.

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    There are signs at the exit of Sultanahmet tram stop showing you the directions to the nearby attractions including the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia. Our hotel was two blocks behind the Blue Mosque so we only had a five minute walk to get there once disembarking the tram.

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    If travelling to other destinations in Istanbul then you can also use the T1 tram and get off at the following stops:

    Grand Bazaar – Beyazit-Kapaliçarşi
    Spice Bazaar / Yeni Cami (New Mosque) – Eminönü
    Galata Tower / Tünel – Karaköy
    Taksim Square – Kabatas and then take the Funicular to Taksim

    To get back to Atatürk Airport from Sultanahmet, take the T1 tram in the opposite direction marked Bağcılar back to Zeytinburnu. Here you will need to change back to the M1 Metro and take the train in the direction of Havalimanı to reach the airport which is the last stop. Once again, there are plenty of signs to help you along the way.

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    So there you go – it really is that easy to do this journey and there definitely is no need to spend money on an expensive private transfer. Have a great time and enjoy yourself in the amazing city of Istanbul!

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    53 thoughts on “How to Get From Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet by Train

    1. Christine Gilbert

      Thank you very much for your easy to follow instructions on how to get to Sultanahmet from IST and back. I have been looking at endless websites to find this information, all with very confusing instructions. I will be sure to share your blog with fellow Istanbul enthusiasts.

      Once again, thank you 🙂

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        Hi Christine
        Thank you so much for your kind words – they really mean a lot to me. Like yourself I had been looking everywhere for instructions of what to do when I went to Istanbul and every other website left me more confused so when I got there myself and saw how simple it was, it was an easy decision to write about it. Thank you again. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Safia Ahmed

      Thank you soooo much for making it clear how to get into Sultanahmet using the metro and tram. We’re going tomorrow and was in two minds whether to just book a taxi or go for a shuttle service. The photos and step by step advice has really helped and I think we’ll be braving it to use the public transport. Thanks again!

      Reply
    3. Janie D

      Brilliant directions and pictorial info. I had almost been put off using this option of getting into the city as other posts seemed so complicated! Thank you for changing my mind, can’t wait to go 🙂 Many thanks, Janie xx

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        Hi Janie. Your comment is exactly why I felt I had to take photos to show how easy the journey was as like you, I was left confused reading other posts. Have an amazing time in Istanbul x

        Reply
    4. Ammar

      Thanks for your wonderful guide. Just one question with luggage (one carry on size and one bigger about 28″ bag) would train al still be suitable.

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        Hi Ammar. I believe you’ll be fine with your luggage. We both had a suitcase each on the train along with many other people so I cannot see there being a problem. There are no luggage racks so we just kept our bags next to us during the journey.

        Reply
    5. Aishah

      Thank you so much! Clear and accessible information. Persuading my family to brave public transport… Let’s see how it goes!!

      Reply
    6. Meriem

      Hello Nikki. I have a 7 hours layover in Ataturk Airport (From 2 to 9 p.m) . Is that enough time to visit Istanbul? Thank you

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        I would it’s possible but you have to allow time for any delays at the airport or on the public transportation itself. If you feel comfortable then do it 🙂

        Reply
    7. Wanderer

      Thanks a lot for this very helpful post. Can you please also tell approx how long does it take for the metro+tram ride from the airport to Sultanahmet? Even I have a 7 hour layover, so will be on a tight shedule :).

      Reply
    8. Andrea

      Love this! Thank you so much for breaking it down so thoroughly and informatively. I took a shared van service from the airport to Sultanahmet last time I went to Istanbul, thinking it would save time, but I believe it actually took longer than your transit journey. So I’m using your plan when I return in a few weeks! Completely love Istanbul, by the way, and can’t wait for a second round of adventures there.

      Reply
    9. Alan Peters

      You are a gem! This post removed all my fears of going by myself from the airport to the Sultanahmet. Your step by step video is so very helpful. I would follow you anywhere!
      Wishing you only happy journeys!

      Best regards, Alan

      Reply
    10. Masrat

      Hi, thanks for putting the information up with details n pics, am Traveling with my family in June. I wonder if anything has changed since your last visit ?
      Thanks

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        Hi Masrat. Sorry but I’ve only been to Istanbul this one time so I do not know if anything has changed or not.

        Reply
    11. Christine

      Hi Nikkis instructions are still the same for now. This will change around october this year as that is when the new airport is supposed to open and ataturk airport will close

      Reply
    12. Sandra

      Brilliant
      Thank you for this. It gave me the confidence to do it after battling with the tram system round Istanbul and trying to find the Tunel and furnicular to Taksim Sq. Sometimes it seems that transport links are invisible and signs are tucked away in obscure corners. However, this route is very clear. I would anyone to book a hotel near a tram stop and use this rote to and from airport.

      Thanks very much

      Reply
    13. Megan Howard

      Thank you so much! I leave for Turkey on Monday and a few people told me it could be a bit confusing to use the Metro. I appreciate your tips, photos and guidance!

      Reply
    14. May

      Hi, I have a 7 hour layover next week at Istanbul. would you recommend if I take the train from airport to Mamat day station and spend about 15min walk to the blue mosque rather than tram? I’m worried to have miss stops when taking the tram. Hope you can give me more insights as a local.

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        Hi Evriem – there was no problem taking luggage onto the Metro. We only had small wheelie cases with us but I saw many people with much bigger bags and there was no issues.

        Reply
    15. Linda

      Hi Nikki, please can you advise best/easiest/ cheapest mode of transport from NEW Istanbul airport into Sultanahnet area of Istanbul?

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        Hi Linda. Sorry I can’t help you as the last time I was in Istanbul was in 2015 when I wrote this blog post and I currently have no plans to go back for the foreseeable future. I hope that you can find the information you’re looking for elsewhere though 🙂

        Reply
    16. Zaina

      OH MY GOSH! You have NO IDEA how long I had been searching for this info! I’ll be following your directions! Thank you so so very much for taking the time to do this!

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        You’re welcome Zaina. I always try to do this wherever I travel as I know I always wants to know directions and where to go. Have fun 🙂

        Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        Yes I have read that the new airport is now open. I can’t wait to go back to Istanbul again one day 🙂

        Reply
    17. Ken

      Thank you so much this is perfect!!
      I have an 8 hr layover in istanbul do you think i will have time to visit hagia Sophia n blue mosque briefly?

      Reply
      1. Nikki Post author

        Hi Ken. I know that the new airport is now open in Istanbul so I’m not sure how far away from the city it is or what transportation options are available.

        Reply

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