How to Reach Istanbul

Istanbul has two airports. The main one is called Istanbul Ataturk Airport, which is located 24 km west of the city centre towards the Europe side. Ataturk has always been one of the busiest airports of Europe, being located at an important geographical junction. To relieve Ataturk from being overloaded with international traffic, Sabiha Gokcen Airport was opened in 2001 towards the southeast, in the Asian side. Flights to Istanbul from India mostly go to Ataturk airport, since the other one is less used for pleasure trips and more for business or diplomatic trips. From Ataturk airport, one can take Havatas – the airport shuttle service that leave every half an hour, or take the subway to Taksim Station where most of the hotels are changing cars at Otogar Station. The easiest but not so cheap option would be taking a cab. Depending on the time of the day and traffic, it should take you 30 minutes and cost you 50 TRY.

In case, you are flying from Asia, and want to know how to reach Istanbul from India, then, there is only one direct flight operating between India and Turkey, i.e. Turkish airlines that provides flights from Mumbai and Delhi. However, you can also board plane from other international airports like Etihad Airways, Oman Air and more, which have connecting flights to Istanbul.