Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, with the historic peninsula, Beyoglu and the Asian-side districts linked by metro, tram and ferry. The city has two major airports, Istanbul Airport on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen on the Asian side. US passport holders can visit for up to 90 days without a visa.
Checking today’s fares with the airlines.
25 miles (40 km) from the city centre. 84.5 million passengers in 2025
| How | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | M11 metro from the airport to Gayrettepe, then M2 to Taksim | about 38m |
| Bus | Havaist airport bus to Taksim and other central districts | about 1h 15m |
20 miles (32 km) from the city centre. 48.4 million passengers in 2025
| How | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | M4 metro from the airport to Kadikoy | about 52m |
| Bus | Havaist and express IETT buses to Taksim and Kadikoy | – |
US citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Turkey, but the passport must be valid for at least six months after arrival.
Your passport needs at least one blank page and must have six months of validity beyond your arrival date. Visas are required in advance for work, study or research. Rules can change, so confirm with the Turkish embassy or consulate before you fly.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for walking the city. Summers are hot and humid and winters are grey and rainy.
Busiest: Jun–Aug. Quieter shoulder season: Mar–May, Sep–Nov.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48°F (9°C) | 38°F (3°C) |
| Feb | 49°F (9°C) | 38°F (3°C) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 41°F (5°C) |
| Apr | 61°F (16°C) | 47°F (8°C) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 55°F (13°C) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 63°F (17°C) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 69°F (21°C) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sep | 76°F (24°C) | 63°F (17°C) |
| Oct | 68°F (20°C) | 56°F (13°C) |
| Nov | 59°F (15°C) | 49°F (9°C) |
| Dec | 51°F (11°C) | 42°F (6°C) |
Istanbul is served by Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Istanbul Airport handled about 84.5 million passengers in 2025.
US citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in Turkey, but the passport must be valid for at least six months after arrival. Your passport needs at least one blank page and must have six months of validity beyond your arrival date. Visas are required in advance for work, study or research. Rules can change, so confirm with the Turkish embassy or consulate before you fly.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for walking the city. Summers are hot and humid and winters are grey and rainy.
M11 metro from the airport to Gayrettepe, then M2 to Taksim, about 38 minutes. Other options include havaist airport bus to taksim and other central districts.
Among the cities we cover, Atlanta (about 0m), Boston (about 0m), Chicago (about 0m), Dallas (about 0m), Denver (about 0m), Detroit (about 0m), Houston (about 0m), Los Angeles (about 0m), Miami (about 0m), New York (about 0m), San Francisco (about 0m), Seattle (about 0m) and Washington, D.C. (about 0m) have nonstop service to Istanbul as of October 2026.
Istanbul uses the Turkish lira (TRY).
Information checked in October 2026. Schedules, fares and entry rules change, so confirm with the airline or the official source before you travel.