I saw this topic had posted but no response. Now I'd like to bring it up for my own question. Please help. We'll leave the ship in Istanbul late evening and go to SAW airport for our flight early on the next morning (3AM). What is the budget and safety way to get to the airport? Should we arrange the transportation ahead? And how?
Thank you for your help.

I wrote the original question about the aiport last year. Since then we have been on our cuise and also another trip to Istanbul last fall. We hired a car (online) to pick us up at the cruise ship and our driver was there to meet us as we left the terminal and I think it took about 30-45 minutes. We paid 40 euros plus a tip. We almost always take public transportation, but that was going to take hours - it's on the Asian side of the city. Other people from the ship just got a taxi and they said they paid $75. Unfortunately I don't have my information on the company we used with me - we spend the winters in FL and my travel stuff is back in MN. I'll look online and see if I can figure out who we used.

I think the website I used was www.backpackerstravel.net

Thanks for responding & sending me the information. When you book online, did you input "Sultanahmet" or "Taksim" as the pick up point (Istanbul port)? Did you pay the service ahead online? How could they regconize you for pick up? Do you need to call for confirm after booking? I don't know when did you leave the ship but do you know what is the latest time(in evening)the cruise allow you to leave it? My cruise ship is NCL.
Thanks so much for your time.

Hi Soymilk. We have been in Disneyworld for the last 5 days with all our children and grandchildren so I am just reading port chat again. When I emailed to taxi service and told them we were on a cruise ship, they offered to pick us up at the port terminal. We were on the NCL Jewel (or Gem) I think you can get off the ship anytime after they have cleared customs. You will need a visa which the ship provided for about $20. The driver had a sign with our name on it as soon as we walked out the door - I was also given his cell # if there was a problem. I confirmed by email right before we left for the cruise (they promptly responded they would be there) and I paid the driver when we got to the airport. Let me know if you have any other questions - I was very pleased with the service.