Public transport istanbul airport to ship

[bogofman]

Has anyone done this?

using the metro and the trams.

 

I've been reading horror stories about the taxi scams in Istanbul, so would prefer to be more in control of the journey.

[John Bull]

Mention of metro & tram means your airport is Ataturk, yes?

We've done it without luggage & I'd strongly advise against it.

 

Metro from the airport is frequent & easy, but at your stop (Aksaray) you then have a 5 minute walk to the nearest tram stop, Yusuf Pasa.

Direct tram route to the port but the trams get very very crowded, no fun with luggage.

And you'll be none-too-sure about which stop to get off at - there has been a choice of three (karakoy, Tophane, Findikli) depending how far along the long quay your ship is berthed, and there's now a new terminal & entrance with no-one yet sure how that works out. But there's certainly at least a one-block walk from tram stop to port gate.

http://coloringinguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/19208-istanbul-metro-map.jpg

 

Yes, plenty of taxi rip-offs in Istanbul - most especially at the port, where they don't use their meters & prefer to quote a high fixed price.

 

But there are a number of reliable, economical & well-reviewed on-line private transfer operators. Pre-book but no need to pre-pay or quote a card number - you pay the driver, normally in your choice of lire or euros, perhaps plastic.

They charge around 25 to 30 euros for Ataturk airport to port. http://www.istanbulairportstransfer.net/ worked like clockwork for us several times.

 

Do also pre-book transport back to the airport if your cruise ends in Istanbul.

 

JB :)

[hawkeyetlse]

Metro from the airport is frequent & easy, but at your stop (Aksaray) you then have a 5 minute walk to the nearest tram stop, Yusuf Pasa.

You can avoid this inconvenient transfer at Aksaray by getting off the metro earlier (coming from the aiport), at Zeytinburnu. At that station, there is only a stairway and some turnstiles to go through to reach the tram platform.

 

I agree that it's not the most comfortable method with luggage, and it takes a long time, but it is by far the cheapest way for one or two people to get around. For larger groups and for anyone needing to avoid stairs/carrying luggage/crowds, I would like John Bull recommend a transfer service.