What is the best way to get from Arnavutkoy to the Ataturk airport this Thurday by 6am? I am only slightly familiar with the public transportation as I am still somewhat new. I know that I could go to Akmerkez and take a shuttle but they don’t seem to run until 7am. It looks like a shuttle runs from Taksim that starts at 5am (which would work??). And I am guessing that I would have to take a taxi to Taksim as I don’t think the metro starts running until too late. If this is the best way, does anyone know where to pick up the shuttle and do I have to book it in advance? Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

if you need to be at the airport by 06:00 then, taxi to Taksim, ask the driver for Havas otobus and he should know where it is. If not then when going past inonu stadium, hang a right past the Ritz Carlton, continue up to the end of the road and then the taxi will want to turn left. Let him do so but almost immediately stop and you will see the bus on the opposite side of the road next to DHL / Pizza hut, simply cross, get on and wait for the man to come round and collect the 9TL.

The 05:30 should get you there by 6am, when you get off (second stop or dis hatlar), you will be at arrivals, you need to go into the car park and take a lift to the departure level. I dont know whether this still happens but being a smart arse I tried going through arrivals security (you used to be able to do this) and then up the escalators to departures. At the top I was told to go back outside and through the departures security. I dont know whether this is still the case but you have been warned.

Or take a taxi direct to the airport for about 35ytl (ensuring you get day rate of course) and have done with lugging baggage from taxi to bus across taksim

Pre book your taksi at your local taksi stand (I have Park Taksi Ulus no if you need it) and have them pick you up at your house. At that time it takes you under 30 min. Costs under 40 YTL on day rate.

Also, try not to get to the Airport too early. 1:30h before departure is enough.

Or wait till 11:00am and I will give you a lift.

Won't get day rate at that time of the morning, so you're looking nearer 50 / 60 TL

[quote user="GBSahne" post="99422"]Won't get day rate at that time of the morning, so you're looking nearer 50 / 60 TL[/quote]

You can try asking your local taxi stand guys before hand (ie the night before) if the day rate would be okay, they do sometimes give in. A fare is a fare afterall.

According to the Havas website, there is a shuttle bus leaving from Akmerkez to the airport at 05h00. It should take less than the 45 minutes they quote at that time of the morning.

ETİLER (AKMERKEZ)

City Departure Spots:
Akmerkez Shopping Center, entrance of the indoor parking-area.

Departure times:
From the Airport: Once in every two hours between 07.00- 23.00.
From Etiler: 05:00 and Once in every two hours between 06.00- 22.00

Arrival time: Approximately 45 minutes.

Ticket Fee: 10,00 YTL (VAT incl.)