Updated: 30 October 2026
The simple rule
Pickup time = flight time − time at the airport − the long end of the drive.
- Time at the airport: 3 hours for an international flight, 2 hours for a domestic flight. Both Istanbul airports have security at the entrance as well as at the gate, and queues can be long at peak times.
- The drive: use the longer number in the table below, not the shorter one. The difference is your margin for traffic.
Example: an international flight at 14:00 from IST, staying in Sultanahmet. 14:00 − 3 hours = 11:00 at the airport. Take the long end of the drive from the table and round down to the next quarter hour: that is your pickup time.
Drive times by area
| Pickup area | IST | SAW | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| km | Drive, min | km | Drive, min | |
| Sultanahmet | 50 | 50–95 | 48 | 50–90 |
| Sirkeci & Eminönü | 48 | 50–90 | 47 | 50–90 |
| Laleli & Beyazıt | 45 | 45–85 | 50 | 50–95 |
| Taksim | 42 | 45–80 | 45 | 45–85 |
| Galata & Karaköy | 45 | 45–85 | 46 | 45–90 |
| Beşiktaş | 45 | 45–85 | 43 | 45–85 |
| Ortaköy & Bebek | 45 | 45–85 | 42 | 45–80 |
| Nişantaşı & Şişli | 40 | 40–80 | 44 | 45–85 |
| Levent & Maslak | 30 | 35–65 | 42 | 45–80 |
| Balat & Fener | 40 | 40–80 | 52 | 50–100 |
| Kadıköy & Moda | 55 | 55–105 | 30 | 35–65 |
| Üsküdar | 50 | 50–95 | 35 | 40–70 |
| Ataşehir | 60 | 60–110 | 22 | 30–50 |
| Kartal | 75 | 70–135 | 15 | 20–40 |
| Pendik | 80 | 75–145 | 10 | 20–30 |
| Tuzla | 85 | 80–150 | 15 | 20–40 |
Distances are approximate road kilometres. Drive times are a usual range: the short end is a quiet road, the long end is rush hour. We use the long end when we suggest a pickup time.
When traffic is heaviest
- Weekday mornings, roughly 7:30 to 10:00, and weekday evenings, roughly 17:00 to 20:00. Friday evening is usually the slowest of the week.
- Bridge crossings are where most delays happen. If your airport is on the other side of the Bosphorus (for example Taksim to SAW, or Kadıköy to IST), allow the full long-end time.
- Rain slows the whole city. On a rainy evening, add another 15–30 minutes.
- Early mornings and late nights are usually quick, but airport queues are not: many flights leave between 6 and 9 am.
Let the booking form do the maths
When you book with Taksiport, the form suggests a pickup time from your flight time and area, using the same rule. You can change it if you prefer to leave earlier. We recommend booking at least 15 minutes before pickup; for a pickup sooner than that, message us on WhatsApp.
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.
- 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.
- Going to the airport on holidays and road closure days in IstanbulBayram, marathon and event days: when to allow extra time.
- 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.