PCR Testing

Both IST and SAW airports offer 24 hour walk in testing for 250 TRY but this is only sensible if you’re flying out of the same airport as results need to be picked up in person. Alternatively, you could always show up 6 hours before your departure flight but that just seems excessive. Generally, your host can arrange a PCR test for you, but if you find yourself in need, try contacting +90 538 377 18 09 on WhatsApp. They offer at home testing for 200 TRY and results are sent via PDF in 6-8 hours.

Remember to always check your personal information (name, passport ID and date of birth) upon receiving the results. This information must be accurate for the test to be accepted. A printed copy of the results is recommended as some countries will not accept e-results.

Airports

Istanbul has two international airports. If you’re coming from Asia, you’re probably landing in Sabiha Gokcen (SAW). Aptly named after one of Atatürk’s 12 adopted daughters. She was Turkey’s first female pilot as well as the world’s first female fighter pilot. With a 2018 ribbon cutting, the new Istanbul airport (IST), located on the European side, aims to claim the title for largest in the world by 2028 (plenty of time for a challenge).  

Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) Transportation

The privately owned Havabus (distinctly marked) departs SAW every 30 minutes from the front of the bus area. Hand over your larger luggage items as you purchase a ticket to one of the following destinations. 

• Taksim Square: 27.5 TRY – Transfer to a Havaist bus here to reach IST airport 
• Kadikoy: 20.5 TRY

New Istanbul (IST) Transportation

The privately owned Havaist bus (distinctly marked) currently has 9 lines (a cat with full potential) and easily stands out from the public buses. See below for line details, but chances are you’ll want one of the following three:

Lucky #13 for direct airport transfer to SAW

#16 for time in Taksim Square before transfer to SAW

#14 for a fish sandwich and long layover explorations in Kadikoy

Line #	Price (TRY)	Duration (min)	Route
5	27	75	Esenler Otogar – Otogar Yolu – Hasdal – IST
6	25	90	Halkali Train Station – Konut Birlik – Kanuni S.S.H. Entrance – Cimentepe – Ataturk Mah. (Arenapark) – Demirciler Sitesi (Mall Off) – Basaksehir Metrokent – IST
8	33	90	Beylikduzu Marmarapark Shopping Mall – Cumhuriyet Mahallesi – TUYAP – Buyukcekmece – Tepecik – Catalca State Hospital – IST
9	27	120	Avcilar Mosque – Haramidere San.Sit. (Torium) – Bahcesehir – Ispartakule Bloklari – IST
10	31	80	Bakirkoy Seabus Port – Ataköy 3. Kisim – Sirinevler – Kuleli – IST
12	35	90	Beyazit Square – Aksaray – Ulubatli – Ayvansaray – Nurtepe Viyaduk – IST
13	43	110	Pendik High Speed Train Station – Tavsantepe Metro – SAW – IST
14	38	120	Kadikoy – Acibadem Metro – Yenisahra- Tepeustu – Kavacik Bridge – IST
16	35	90	Taksim – Besiktas Port – Zincirlikuyu Metrobus – 4.Levent – IST

Taksim Square Luggage Tip

If you’re feeling adventurous on your layover but want to lose the deadweight, swoop around the entrance of the Point Hotel Taksim and you’ll spot a small ticket office on your left where you can pay to store your luggage. The surrounding hotels, including the Point, rejected similar requests, but feel free to try.

WIFI

For a single session of free WIFI (30 minute at SAW and 1 hour at IST), obtain a passcode from one of the designated machines scattered throughout the airport. I recommend screenshotting the code as the printer can malfunction. If by chance you were unable to record the code, you’re simply out of luck. There did not appear to be one in the luggage pickup area.

Transportation

• BiTaksi, Uber & taxis are available

Note: BiTaksi accepts both cash and card.

• Istanbul Kart

The crucial key to riding the city’s trams, metros, buses, ferries, and even furniculars. A HES code linked Istanbul Kart is now required for all public transport. This presents quite the dilemma for empty handed foreigners. Save your soles and buy a card for 10 TRY before leaving the airport. Activation requires the addition of your HES code which should have been gifted by completion of your registration form. If you are a dismal decoder, text “HES” to 2023 using a local phone number and provide your country code, passport number, birth year, and last name (ex. HES USA 123456789 1925 Lush). Refuel your card with cash at any transit station self-service machine. Ensuring safety for all, the card cannot be shared as this would defy its big brother tracking purposes.

A Place to Stay in Istanbul

Cheers Hostel

Raise the roof on their terrace bar or settle into a seat on the main floor lounge. Surrounded by Sultanahmet, the central location is ideal for the social budget traveler. Guests are welcomed with a glass of apple tea and the breakfast is free. The dorms are gender specific as are the bathrooms. The owner carries a conversational charm to his demeanor, sharing his knowledge on all topics.