Travel & Practical Information

How to reach the Istanbul Policy Center (Minerva Han, Karaköy), where to stay, and useful notes for your visit.

Getting here

Arrival & Transportation

All participants are expected to arrange their own transportation to Istanbul. There are two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST), with frequent flights from all over the world, and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), a smaller airport used mostly by low-cost airlines. Public transport links for both are below.

From Istanbul Airport (IST)

Option 1 · Metro (recommended)

Take the M11 (Airport Metro) from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe, then transfer to the M2 line towards Taksim/Şişhane. Minerva Han is about a 15-minute walk from Şişhane (you may also use the Tünel funicular during working hours).

Option 2 · Havaist shuttle

Take the Havaist Taksim (HVL-9) line to Beşiktaş Meydan (it also stops at Taksim, where you can transfer to the metro for Şişhane, then a 15-minute walk). The shuttle costs about 275 TL (~€8), departs from the Arrival Terminal (−2 floor) 24/7 every 30–60 min, and takes ~1 h 20. From Beşiktaş, the 46Ç bus reaches Karaköy (~every 20 min, ~24 min).

From Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)

Option 1 · Metro + Marmaray (most efficient)

Board the M4 (Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen) directly from the airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, transfer to the Marmaray and get off at Sirkeci. From Sirkeci, Karaköy is a short walk or one stop on the T1 tram.

Option 2 · Havabus shuttle + Metro

Take the Havabus shuttle from Sabiha Gökçen to Taksim (~1.5 h). From Taksim, take the M2 to Şişhane; Karaköy and Minerva Han are within walking distance or reachable via the Tünel funicular.

By taxi (from either airport)

Official airport taxi

If you prefer a taxi, use the airport’s official taxi rank rather than unofficial offers. Before setting off, check the fare-estimate boards at the taxi stand — they display approximate prices to the main districts (Karaköy, Taksim, Sultanahmet), so you know the expected cost in advance. The ride to the venue takes roughly 45–90 minutes depending on the airport and traffic.

💳 Istanbulkart: If you plan to use public transport often, buy an Istanbulkart from the vending machines outside on the −2 floor of the airport — it works across metro, tram, Marmaray, buses and funiculars.

Where to stay

Accommodation

We encourage you to arrange accommodation either near the Old City (Sultanahmet) or around Karaköy / Taksim — both offer easy access to the venue and to Istanbul's main attractions.

Some hotel options

Richmond Hotel — Taksim / İstiklal Street
The Haze Hotel — Karaköy
The Marmara Pera
KHAI Karaköy
The Peninsula
Hotel Morione — Karaköy
The Manesol — Karaköy
The Galata Istanbul Hotel — MGallery

Good to know

Practical Notes

The T1 tram line is reliable and runs through the entire Old City, making it very convenient to reach the venue if you stay near Sultanahmet.

Minerva Han is very close to Galataport, with restaurants, shopping and cafés overlooking the Bosphorus, as well as the renowned Istanbul Modern art museum. For the easiest access, we recommend staying near Karaköy, Taksim, or the Old City.

Download full travel guide (PDF)

We look forward to welcoming you to Istanbul.

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