Efendi Travel operates an excellent Istanbul private transfer service to and from Istanbul's two airports: Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, and the cruise ship docks at Karaköy and Salıpazar that's far more comfortable and reliable than a taxi, but only slightly more expensive. Read this...
They can also take you to or from the Pendik YHT High-Speed Train station on the Asian side of the Bosphorus.
At Istanbul Airport (IGA), when you emerge from the secure Customs area, turn left and your Efendi Travel liaison staff member will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name on it. He'll help you with your luggage and lead you to the vehicle, most commonly a spacious, comfortable air-conditioned minivan or midivan.
Your private vehicle—it's just for you (and your travel companions, if you have any). It is not a public shuttle. Your private driver will take you directly to your hotel, where he will help you with your luggage to the hotel.
Whether driving from the airport to your hotel, or from your hotel to the airport, or on any other trip, your driver will be polite and helpful, dressed in suit and tie, will drive carefully and observe traffic regulations, will not smoke, and will offer you complimentary refreshments (welcome after a long flight!).
Contact Efendi Travel for current prices.
Let me make this clear: this is not a common airport shuttle. It is a private transfer that only you, or others in your group will be riding in.
Surprisingly, even though the fares are not much more than for an Istanbul taxi for some rides, and only moderately more for others, a private transfer is 1000% more comfortable, reliable, safe and pleasant than an Istanbul taxi. As such, a private transfer constitutes extremely good value for money.
A regular yellow Istanbul taxi, by the way, can take two passengers comfortably, three in a bit of a squeeze, four maximum (if the driver allows someone to sit in the front passenger seat—which he usually doesn't), but a taxi may not be able to hold all of your luggage even for three passengers, let alone four, because of the large LNG tank in the trunk/boot (by law, Istanbul taxis are powered by natural gas). Taxis are now much more expensive than they used to be and the prices are constantly fluctuating. The Efendi Travel service is very reasonably priced in comparrison; and a ride in an Istanbul taxi is often not a pleasant experience. More...
Efendi Travel, by the way, also operates three good moderately-priced hotels: Sultan's Inn, Deniz Houses, and Naz Wooden House, and several budget studio apartments worth considering for your stay in Istanbul. More...
Airport Transfer Service
Efendi Travel
Yeni Akbıyık Caddesi No: 30
Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: +90 (212) 638 6343, or 638 6344, or 638 3746
Fax: +90 (212) 638 3922
—by Tom Brosnahan
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