Istanbul is a vast city spanning two continents, and traveling from its major airports to the city center or popular tourist areas often requires using toll highways, bridges, or tunnels across the Bosphorus. Understanding these routes and their fees is essential for tourists and drivers, especially if you plan to rent a car or use a private transfer service.
Here’s a guide to the main toll roads surrounding Istanbul’s major airports, including the new Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, along with approximate 2026 toll costs and how they can impact transportation expenses.
What Are the Toll Roads in Istanbul?
Not all roads in Istanbul require a fee, as most regular city streets are free and open for use. However, there are key highways, bridges, and tunnels that charge tolls, serving as the main arteries connecting the city’s airports to both the European and Asian sides.
These routes are especially important for travelers arriving at the new Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport, as they provide faster and more reliable access to the city center or the western and eastern suburbs, avoiding the congestion often found on ordinary streets.
Toll routes include modern bridges such as the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the recently built Bosphorus tunnel (Eurasia Tunnel), as well as major highways like Otoyol 7. These roads are designed to streamline traffic flow and reduce travel time from the airports to various destinations in Istanbul. Crossing these routes requires paying a fee, which depends on the vehicle type and chosen path, usually deducted automatically via the HGS electronic payment system.
1. Otoyol 7 – Kuzey Marmara Highway
This highway forms the major northern loop around Istanbul and is commonly used to travel from the new Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport to the city center or western districts. It includes the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, one of the city’s most important modern bridges, which facilitates a quick crossing of the Bosphorus and helps reduce congestion when moving between the European and Asian sides.
Toll fees on Otoyol 7 are not fixed; they depend on the distance traveled along the highway. For standard cars, the estimated cost is approximately $20 to $30, depending on the toll gates you pass through.
This route is widely used by private transfer drivers and rental vehicles to reach various parts of Istanbul quickly, offering faster alternatives compared to older routes, especially when using the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.
Bosphorus Bridges
Istanbul has three major bridges connecting the European and Asian sides, all of which charge tolls:
- 15 July Martyrs Bridge (First Bridge)
- Sultan Mehmet Fatih Bridge (FSM – Second Bridge)
- Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bridge)
Toll fees are typically collected when crossing any of these bridges.
Eurasia Tunnel
The Eurasia Tunnel is a toll tunnel running beneath the Bosphorus, directly linking the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. This tunnel saves significant travel time compared to the traditional bridges, especially during peak hours and heavy traffic.
The tunnel stretches approximately 5.4 kilometers and has two lanes in each direction, allowing smoother and faster traffic flow. It features high safety standards, modern lighting and ventilation systems, and electronic monitoring for security.
Travelers from Sabiha Gökçen Airport or the new Istanbul Airport often use it to reach the city center or areas like Taksim or Sultanahmet quickly, avoiding delays typical on the bridges. Toll fees are calculated based on vehicle type and time of day, making it a practical choice for those willing to pay a little extra for saved time.
How to Pay Toll Fees in Turkey
In Turkey, tolls are not paid in cash at the gates; they are managed through an electronic system called HGS (Hızlı Geçiş Sistemi – Fast Pass System). This system uses a sticker or card attached to the windshield, and fees are automatically deducted when passing through toll booths on highways and bridges. If your vehicle does not have a registered HGS, you must create an account and pay the tolls electronically.
Key Toll Roads and Their Approximate Fees from the Airports
Bosphorus Bridges
| Bridge Name | Approximate Fee – Car | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15 July Martyrs Bridge (First Bosphorus Bridge) | $20 | Connects European and Asian sides |
| Sultan Mehmet Fatih Bridge (Second Bosphorus Bridge) | $20 | Similar toll as the first bridge |
| Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (Third Bridge) | $30 | Higher than the older bridges |
These bridges are commonly used when traveling from an airport on one side (e.g., Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side) to a destination on the opposite side (e.g., Taksim or Sultanahmet on the European side).
Eurasia Tunnel
| Time Period | Approximate Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day (05:00 – 23:59) | $15 | Fastest way to connect Asia and Europe |
| Night (00:00 – 05:00) | $10 | Midnight discount |
Drivers often use this tunnel to avoid congestion on the bridges and to reach destinations across the Bosphorus in the shortest possible time.
North Marmara Highway (Otoyol 7)
This highway, connected to the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, is a major route linking the northern airports to the city. Toll fees on Otoyol 7 are not fixed like the bridges, as they depend on the distance traveled. For standard routes between main points in Istanbul, the cost is usually around $20 to $30.
A common example: Many drivers use this highway to travel quickly from the airports to various districts, taking advantage of faster travel compared to older roads.
How Do These Tolls Affect Airport Transfers?
If you’re using a taxi or a private transfer from the airport, toll fees are usually included in the final fare or added separately as a “toll charge.” It’s important to confirm with your driver or service in advance whether your route will pass through a toll bridge or tunnel.
Practical Example: If you’re traveling from Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side to Taksim on the European side, the driver might choose the Eurasia Tunnel or the second or third Bosphorus Bridge depending on traffic and timing. This could add an extra fee of approximately 150 TRY or more.
Tips to Save on Toll Costs:
- Choose free routes if you’re not in a hurry: Toll highways are faster but not always necessary.
- Use the metro connected to the new Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, which has no toll fees.
- Plan ahead: Ask your transfer service whether tolls are included and how much they will cost.
Summary Table:
| Service | Includes Toll? |
|---|---|
| Private transfer / Taxi | Usually yes (if route uses a bridge/tunnel) |
| Airport Metro or Bus | No |
| Highways (Otoyol 7) | Yes, depending on the route |
Toll fees in Istanbul are generally reasonable relative to the distance and route. Knowing these costs before your trip gives you better control over expenses and prevents surprises, especially when traveling with family or heavy luggage.