Updated: 30 October 2026
Religious holidays (Bayram)
Turkey has two religious holidays each year: Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr, three days) and Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha, four days). The dates move about 11 days earlier every year.
- The day before the holiday and the first day are usually the busiest: many people leave the city by road and by air, and the airports are crowded.
- During the holiday itself the city roads are often quieter, but the airports stay busy. Plan on the full time at the airport.
- Holidays are sometimes extended into a longer break, which spreads the traffic over more days.
Istanbul Marathon
The Istanbul Marathon usually takes place on a Sunday in early November. The route crosses the 15 July Martyrs Bridge from Asia to Europe, and the bridge and several roads are closed to traffic for part of the day. Check the official date and the closure hours for your year. If your flight is that morning and your route needs the bridge, tell us when you book: the driver will plan another crossing and the pickup time will allow for it. The price stays the same.
Other days to watch
- New Year's Eve and public celebrations: roads around Taksim and the waterfront can be closed in the evening.
- Big football matches and concerts: traffic around the stadiums is heavy before and after the event.
- Official visits and summits: roads can be closed at short notice. We follow the news; you don't have to.
How we plan it
- The price is fixed when you book and does not change if the driver has to take a longer route.
- On a busy day, we may suggest an earlier pickup. You decide.
- Bridge and highway tolls are included, whichever crossing the driver uses.
Fixed prices to Istanbul Airport (IST)
- Sultanahmet1,900 TL
- Sirkeci & Eminönü1,900 TL
- Taksim1,700 TL
- Galata & Karaköy1,700 TL
- Beşiktaş1,700 TL
- Nişantaşı & Şişli1,700 TL
- Kadıköy & Moda2,150 TL
- Üsküdar2,150 TL
Fixed prices to Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
- Sultanahmet2,300 TL
- Sirkeci & Eminönü2,300 TL
- Taksim2,100 TL
- Galata & Karaköy2,100 TL
- Beşiktaş2,100 TL
- Nişantaşı & Şişli2,100 TL
- Kadıköy & Moda1,500 TL
- Üsküdar1,500 TL
More guides
- Early morning flight from Istanbul: how to get to the airportWhen to leave your hotel, and how to book a taxi for 3–5 am.
- Taxi to the airport in Istanbul: what to check before you get inLicensed taxis, the price, tolls and paying: avoid surprises.
- IST or SAW: which Istanbul airport are you flying from?Two airports, two sides of the city: distances and drive times.
- When should you leave your hotel for the airport in Istanbul?A simple rule, drive times by area and the rush hours to avoid.
- Evening flight after hotel check-out: how to use your last dayLeave bags, keep exploring, get picked up from any address.
- Taxi pickup in Sultanahmet, Galata and Cihangir: when the car can't reach your doorPedestrian streets, steep lanes and how to agree a meeting point.
- Airport taxi with family and luggage in IstanbulUp to 4 people in a standard taxi, larger groups and children.
- Paying for your airport taxi in Istanbul: card, lira, euros or dollarsCard or cash, euros and dollars, tolls and tips explained.
- From the Asian side of Istanbul to Sabiha Gökçen AirportKadıköy, Üsküdar, Ataşehir and the coast: times and prices to SAW.