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IST airport transfer

IST airport transfer

Old Feb 24, 2012, 7:11 pm
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IST airport transfer

Arriving IST in April w 94 y/o Dad: what's the best way to get from the airport to our hotel which is in the European side? We'll all be tired, flying from SFO. Read about VIP company which does transfers, they seem quite expensive..and charge per person rasther than for a group
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Old Feb 25, 2012, 4:00 am
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In that case, an obvious option is a taxi. They are readily available, safe, and easy. Cost should be no more than $40 for Taksim or Besiktas, less to the old city side. (Actually, with the weakness of the Turkish lira now against the USD, the price will be significantly less.) Just walk outside of arrivals and you will see the line of official taxis.
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Old Feb 25, 2012, 5:11 pm
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Taxi seems to be the easiest and cheapest. The cost was like 40 or 50 TRY, if I remember correctly (to Taksim area). The airport is super easy to get around and through. There is a service that my company used once, but I don't know the costs. It included a golf cart pickup at the gate, pre-purchased visa stickers, exit through the CIP passport control section and then baggage assistance / escort to the vehicle. Not sure of the price.

There is something linked to the airport. TAV Primeclass. www.primeclass.com.tr.

Again, done both and someone who has been through that terminal alot, it's not worth it to me. I would do it myself and just grab a taxi.
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Old Feb 26, 2012, 1:49 am
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I always get a taxi from Istanbul airport into town, and I've never had any trouble. Allow 50 Turkish lira and you should be fine.
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Old Feb 27, 2012, 2:52 pm
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Lira or euros?

Now that I think of it, I have read you need a $20 bill for each visa that you get on entering the country.
Is there a money machine/ATM to get Lira or Euros in the airport? This to pay the taxi, tip driver of van or whatever transport we take.
Thanks
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Old Feb 28, 2012, 3:09 pm
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Originally Posted by mmack
Now that I think of it, I have read you need a $20 bill for each visa that you get on entering the country.
Is there a money machine/ATM to get Lira or Euros in the airport? This to pay the taxi, tip driver of van or whatever transport we take.
Thanks
There is. There is also a currency exchange place at the arrival.
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Old Feb 28, 2012, 3:12 pm
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Originally Posted by mmack
Arriving IST in April w 94 y/o Dad: what's the best way to get from the airport to our hotel which is in the European side? We'll all be tired, flying from SFO. Read about VIP company which does transfers, they seem quite expensive..and charge per person rasther than for a group
IIRC there is at least one company that runs buses between IST and Taksim Square, on a half hourly basis. So if your hotel is not far from Taksim Square, this is a viable option. Those buses are very comfortable, compared to the cramped yellow taxis. Last time i used it, the price was 10 lira per person.

Good luck!
@ORD
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Old Mar 16, 2012, 3:48 pm
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Originally Posted by @ORD
IIRC there is at least one company that runs buses between IST and Taksim Square, on a half hourly basis. So if your hotel is not far from Taksim Square, this is a viable option. Those buses are very comfortable, compared to the cramped yellow taxis. Last time i used it, the price was 10 lira per person.

Good luck!
@ORD
This shuttle service, Havatas, costs 10 Turkish Lira and also stops in Aksaray, which is a short tram ride to the old city Sultanahmet. I'd take the shuttle and then get a taxi from town to the hotel if you care about saving money.
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