Bakırköy transfer and taxi on the Marmara shore

The district lies between the D.100 highway, known locally as the E-5, and the Marmara coast. Its centre is an important shopping and commercial area, with pedestrian streets, a busy market and seafront parks.

Bakırköy's coastline, some thirteen kilometres long, includes Ataköy, Yeşilköy, Yeşilyurt and Florya, each with its own character. Ferries from the Bakırköy pier cross to Kadıköy and Bostancı on the Asian side and to the Princes' Islands.

The former Atatürk Airport, Istanbul's main airport before IST opened, is in the district too, at Yeşilköy. It no longer handles regular passenger flights, so if a booking says "Atatürk", check your ticket: you are almost certainly landing at IST or SAW.

Bakırköy is also home to a large psychiatric hospital and several other hospitals, plus courthouses and offices that bring daily visitors from across the city.

Central Bakırköy has several pedestrian shopping streets around the square, and cars cannot enter them. Hotels there are reached from the surrounding streets, and the driver stops at the closest permitted point.

Along the coastal road, drop-off is easier, though stopping on the main carriageway is limited. A full street address helps the driver choose the right side road in advance.

The coastal strip between Bakırköy centre and Ataköy has seaside parks and a promenade. Hotels near it are usually reached from the coastal road, with a short turn into a side street.

Your driver waits right at the exit door you come out of at IST or SAW, with a printed sign carrying your name. We track the flight, so a late landing simply moves the pick-up without any waiting charge.

Leaving for a flight, Bakırköy to Istanbul Airport measures about 44 km and 38 minutes on clear roads; Bakırköy to Sabiha Gökçen about 55 km and 41 minutes. The E-5 is slow at peak times, so plan with a margin.

Landing at SAW for Bakırköy? The ride crosses the Bosphorus, then runs west along the main routes of the European side for a good while; the €70 price is fixed before you set off.

Pay the driver at the end of the ride in euros, pounds or lira, or by Visa or Mastercard on the terminal in the car, including contactless. Nothing is paid beforehand.

All luggage is included. Pushchairs and folding wheelchairs go free when they fit the vehicle; tell us the number of suitcases so we send the right one.

Child seats cost nothing; just add the children's ages to the booking. An Eco Van return between IST and Bakırköy is €100.

Questions first? Send Bakırköy as the destination on WhatsApp; a full booking also needs the date, time and address.