First of all, please note that Istanbul is a very large and busy city. Traffic jams, especially during rush hour, will significantly complicate your movement. We recommend planning your movement around the city with a significant amount of time.
Typically, your journey will start from the new Istanbul International Airport. The distance from the airport to the cruise port is 40 km. (depending on the route).
How to get from Istanbul Havalimani Airport to the seaport?
1. Transfer from the cruise company:
A variety of transfer options will be offered depending on the cruise line. As a rule, you can book them in your personal account or in the cruise company's application. During the pandemic, shuttle services are limited. Most cruise lines have opted out of group transfers to minimize the chances of contracting covid.
Individual transfer from the Fort Gates Group of Companies:
If you like comfort and planned travel, then this option will suit you best. Your cruise expert will help you arrange transfers from anywhere and recommend how best to proceed. To request a transfer, just write to us:
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2. Taxi:
The most popular and most convenient form of transport for many cruise passengers.
The cost from the airport to the cruise port will be about 200 Lira. Travel time is about an hour (but take into account the factor of traffic jams).
Taxis are available on the ground floor of the airport. Payment by counter.
3. Public transport:
From the new Istanbul Airport "Istanbul Havalimani" you can get to the city center by HAVAIST bus:
- to the stop "Taksim". Cost 35 Lira. Further from the stop "Taksim" to the seaport 25 minutes on foot (1.8 km.)
Or
- to the stop "Beşiktaş Meydan". Cost 29 Lira. Further from the stop "Beşiktaş Meydan" to the seaport by bus or tram 20 minutes (No. 30D, 28T, 22, 25E, 27E, 29C)
the cruise terminal is closest to this stop. The whole journey can take 1.5-2 hours and costs 2 tokens of 4 lira = 8 lira per person.
How to get from the hotel to the seaport?
First of all, it all depends on the hotel in which you are staying.
The seaport itself is located in the Beyoğlu region. You can always contact our specialists for the selection of hotels or book a hotel yourself using the >>> link.
But, as a rule, tourists book hotels in the central part of the city, in the Fatih region (quarters that include Sultanahmet, Laleli, Aksaray, Gulhane, Sirkeji, Eminenu, Kumkapi). This is due to the proximity of the most popular attractions.
In this case, it will be most convenient for you to get to the port by tram number T1 (about 20 minutes) or by taxi.
You can order individual transfers by writing to us:
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How to get from the seaport to Istanbul Havalimani airport?
Similar to the options for travel from Istanbul Airport to the seaports, you can also go from the seaport to the airport:
1. Order a transfer from the experts of the Fort Gates group of companies
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2. Order a taxi or catch a taxi directly at the port.
3. By public transport
Drive or walk to one of the HAVAIST stops. Then take the HAVAIST bus directly to the airport.
Most of the sights and architectural monuments of Istanbul are located in the old city, in the Sultanahmet district. To visit them, you will need to drive across the Galata Bridge.
Attractions of the Old Town:
Sophia Cathedral
On the site of this architectural monument, there was originally an ancient acropolis. The first construction work on the construction of the cathedral began at the direction of the Emperor Justinian in 532. After Constantinople fell, the cathedral turned from the Orthodox Church into a mosque, adding several more minarets to itself. Over its centuries-old history, the building with a 55-meter dome has been subjected to robbery and destruction more than once. However, he managed to reach our time, having preserved calligraphic phrases in the Muslim language and Byzantine mosaic icons inside the tomb of the sultans.
Topkapi Palace
Probably the most famous palace not only in Istanbul, but throughout Turkey. In the first half of the 18th century, the sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived there. The territory of the palace is divided into separate zones with its own entrances: inner chambers, harem, office and treasury. At the moment it is one of the largest museum objects.
Blue Mosque
The mosque got its name from the facade cladding with Iznik ceramic tiles with a blue tint. The main name is the Sultanahmet Mosque. The 17th-century mosque towering over Istanbul will not leave anyone indifferent. We definitely recommend visiting.
Important: Wear comfortable shoes.
Grand bazaar
This huge covered market is famous all over the world. Of course, here you can buy all Turkish attributes from clothes to sweets. But the main thing is the atmosphere and flavor, which you will definitely remember. At the moment, there are about 4 thousand shops and shops here. There is also a school and a bathhouse, a temple and currency exchange offices, warehouses and restaurants on the territory.
Basilica Cistern
The object is a reservoir of the 4th century, located much below ground level. Previously, it was the main reservoir of water in Constantinople - liquid flowed here from the neighboring forest. The cistern's ceiling supports over 330 marble columns brought from Byzantine cathedrals. At the end of the 20th century, the Basilica was given the status of a museum - it was restored and equipped with a lighting system.
The port is located in the Beyoğlu area.
The nearest attraction is the Galata Tower.
The prototype of this stone tower was a timber structure built in Byzantine times. Over the long history of its existence, the attraction has served as a prisoner, a lighthouse, and a fire brigade. On the upper level, there is an observation deck from which you can take great photos or just admire the panoramas of the city and the sea. At the foot of the building there are several restaurants, including those serving dishes of the national cuisine of the country.