Executive and corporate travel in Istanbul
Istanbul is Türkiye's largest city and its commercial and financial capital, straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus. Banks, holding companies and law firms cluster in Levent and Maslak on the European side, the new Istanbul Finance Centre is in Ataşehir on the Asian side, and many multinationals manage the region from here. Executive assistants and travel managers usually book an executive car service by the hour, because a multi-stop itinerary that crosses the Bosphorus is much easier with one chauffeur. Corporate car service also suits delegations visiting manufacturers in the industrial zones around the city.
Arriving at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen
Istanbul Airport (IST) is north of the city on the European side and is the main hub for Turkish Airlines. Sabiha Gökçen International (SAW) serves the Asian side. Every airport transfer is flight-tracked, and the chauffeur meets you at the agreed point after customs. Choosing the airport closest to your first meeting can save considerable time, and the desk can advise when you share the agenda.
- Istanbul Airport (IST): European side
- Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): Asian side
Business districts and venues
Levent and Maslak have the main office towers, Şişli and Nişantaşı have offices, hotels and boutiques, and the historic peninsula has the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and government buildings. Ataşehir hosts the finance centre, and Kadıköy is a lively district on the Asian side. The Istanbul Congress Center, the Lütfi Kırdar centre and the Istanbul Expo Center near the old airport host congresses and fairs.
- Levent and Maslak
- Şişli and Nişantaşı
- Historic peninsula
- Ataşehir
- Istanbul Congress Center
- Istanbul Expo Center
Congresses, fairs and group transportation
Istanbul hosts major medical congresses and trade fairs. The desk can quote event transportation with pickups staggered across hotels and group transportation in Sprinter-class vans. Investor roadshows to banks and holding companies run with a lead car for the principal and additional vehicles on one itinerary across both continents.
Crossing the Bosphorus
The 15 July Martyrs Bridge, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and the Eurasia Tunnel connect the two sides. Traffic is heaviest at peak hours, and the desk sequences meetings to limit crossings. Bridge and tunnel tolls are included in your quote where applicable.
Visitor notes: traffic, events and weather
Istanbul traffic is among the heaviest in Europe, and travel times vary widely through the day. Large events, football derbies and holidays affect roads. Winters can bring snow, and summers are hot and humid. The historic peninsula has narrow streets, so pickups are set at accessible points.
Bosphorus cruises and evenings
Private Bosphorus cruises and waterside dinners in Bebek, Arnavutköy and Ortaköy are popular with visiting executives. The chauffeur drops guests at the pier and meets them on return.
Industrial and day trips
Industrial zones in Gebze, Tuzla and Kocaeli host factories and logistics centres, and Bursa and the Princes' Islands are popular day trips. These can be booked as transfers or hourly days.
Hotels and pickup points
Visitors usually stay in Nişantaşı, along the Bosphorus or near Levent. A private car service collects guests at the hotel door, and the desk agrees pickup entrances where forecourts are busy.
The right vehicle for Istanbul
For one or two travellers a sedan works well, an SUV takes more luggage on airport runs, and a Sprinter-class van carries a congress team between hotels.
Shopping and the bazaars
Visits to the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar are easiest on foot, and the chauffeur waits at a nearby point and helps with purchases at the end of the visit to the market.
Planning your Istanbul quote
Tell us the flight and airport, where to collect you, the stops in order on each side of the Bosphorus, the date and hours, and the number of passengers and bags. A USD quote for your vehicle class follows and is locked when you book; chauffeur and car details come before travel.
