I believe that there is a relatively easy connection to the tram line that goes through the Sultanahmet. You will also find van drivers who are picking up passengers and will gladly take extra passengers for 10€ or so (prices may have gone up).

I only used taxis a few times while in Istanbul, and was favorably impressed with their drivers' honesty. For example, several pointed out when they were entering areas of one-way streets and gave me the option of getting out and walking a short block or so rather than riding several long blocks to reach a specific place. I suspect that because of all the one-way streets, it might seem to some people that a taxi driver is taking an unnecessarily long route. But of course, I can't attest to the honesty of all of them!

One taxi driver tried to pull a scam on us. We took a taxi to the Chora church. The driver recommended he wait for us because getting a taxi or even public transport for the return journey would be difficult. Total nonsense of course so I declined his offer knowing full well the taxi meter would be kept running as compensation for his 'kind' offer.

> "One taxi driver tried to pull a scam on us. We took a taxi to the Chora church. The driver recommended he wait for us because getting a taxi or even public transport for the return journey would be difficult. Total nonsense of course so I declined his offer knowing full well the taxi meter would be kept running as compensation for his 'kind' offer."

I also took a taxi to the Chora Church, my driver also offered to wait, and I declined without a second thought. When I finished visiting the church, there were no taxis.

I waited for quite a while and then decided to stop for tea and a snack at the Asitane, a restaurant (with lots of empty tables) next to the Chora Church. I was directed to a seat and then ignored. Completely ignored. After a while, it became clear that the staff of the Asitane were NOT going to serve me. I don't know if it's because I was a solo female traveler or what (although that's my guess, since they initially directed me to a table, as they might if I was awaiting a companion). All I know is that in the end, they explicitly refused my patronage. Argh! (BTW, I was wearing an ankle-length skirt and long-sleeved blouse; I hadn't covered my hair, but other women in the restaurant who were being served hadn't done so either.) But that's a different story entirely and completely unlike the hospitable welcome I received in every other place I visited during my 25 days in Turkey ... sorry for the digression.

When I left, I found that there were still no taxis in the area. I walked several blocks before I found one.

I have no regrets about declining the meter-ticking taxi--I would have been thinking about it every minute that I was in the Chora Church, and I found it worth spending quite a while there! But I'm not convinced that it was a scam when my original taxi driver said that getting a taxi near the Chora Church would be difficult. It certainly wasn't easy for me.

(Maybe the taxi I finally flagged down was worldinabag's taxi, or maybe worldinabag got the one I released. )

(And BTW, do visit the Chora Church - magnificent!)

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/airport_sultanahmet.html

This was a great help with my planning public transport, and worked really well.
You can google "Istanbul Airport" and the link is on the first page "Turkey Travel Planner".

I took a taxi and had no problem.

Happy Travels!

We followed Rick Steves' direction to use public transportation to the Chora church.

Turkey Travel Planner is a good source on info!!!

Taking public transportation from Ataturk to Sultanahmet is very easy. You take what they call the light rail (actually heavy rail/subway looking cars) for six stations (exiting at a station beginning with a "Z") and then transfer to what they call the tram (what I call light rail) which will take you right to the heart of Sultanahmet. The whole process takes about an hour. Only downside is the tram in Istanbul is only 2 cars long. With 13 million people living in the city (+ what seems like another 13 million tourists), the two cars trams can be unbelievably crowded day and night. If you have a lot of luggage, this might be a hassle but if you only have one wheelie-bag, it's a pretty cheap and straightforward option.