Taksim transfer and taxi from both Istanbul airports

Taksim Square is the busy hub of modern Istanbul, inside the Beyoğlu district. The Republic Monument stands in the middle, Gezi Park lies on its north side and the Atatürk Cultural Centre faces it from the east.

İstiklal Avenue, a pedestrian street of about 1.4 kilometres, leaves the square towards Tünel and Galata. The central Taksim metro station is under the square, so many visitors use it as a base for both the Old City and the Bosphorus shore.

Large public gatherings sometimes shut the roads into the square for a day. If an approach is closed when you arrive, the driver simply takes another one into Beyoğlu, and the price you booked stays exactly where it was.

Hotels around Taksim fall into two kinds: those on the wide avenues that meet at the square, and those tucked into side streets off İstiklal or down the slope towards Cihangir. Cars cannot drive along İstiklal itself, so a hotel that gives İstiklal as its address is reached from a parallel street.

At either airport the driver stands right at the exit door you walk out of, holding a sign printed with your name. We track the flight, so a late landing simply moves the pick-up; waiting for a delayed plane costs nothing.

Going back, the measured drive from the square to Istanbul Airport is about 40 km and 41 minutes in free traffic. Airlines usually ask you to be at the airport two hours before a European flight and three before a long-haul one (check your airline), so leave generous room for the city's evening queues.

Nothing is charged online. You settle with the driver once you are at the hotel door in Taksim: cash in euros, pounds or Turkish lira, or a Visa or Mastercard at the card terminal every car carries, contactless included.

Child seats and boosters are free on request; tell us the children's ages. A return trip is simply two one-way fares, so IST to Taksim and back in the Eco Van comes to €100.

Travelling to Taksim as a group of more than 16? Send the head-count and the suitcase total on WhatsApp, and we confirm which two vehicles will come for you.