In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the ways to get from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to the center of Istanbul, based on what I’ve personally tried and what I think works best depending on your travel style.
Right now, SAW is Istanbul’s second airport (the main one is Istanbul Airport) and handles close to 30 million passengers a year. Most low-cost airlines land here, including Pegasus Airlines and AnadoluJet (a low-cost subsidiary of Turkish Airlines).
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, in the district of Pendik, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) southeast of the city center. The airport is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world’s first female fighter pilot, and it opened in 2001.
There are several ways to get from SAW into Istanbul, and which one you choose really depends on where you’re staying, your budget, and how much luggage you’re carrying.
This airport is very well connected. There is a metro line, although for now it doesn’t take you directly into the city center (that extension is still in the works).
On top of that, you’ve got several bus routes, plus the usual taxi and private transfer options. Below, I’ll walk you through all the ways to get into the city and help you figure out which one makes the most sense for your trip.
How to get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul city centre
1. Havabus Shuttle, best if you’re staying in Taksim or Kadıköy
These are the white shuttle buses operated by Havabus, and you’ll find the stop right outside the arrivals level on the ground floor. They run from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (on the Asian side) to Taksim Square and Kadıköy.
This option is great if you’re staying in either of those areas. They’re not part of the historic center, but they’re two of the most popular and lively neighborhoods in the city, with tons of accommodation options.
In my experience, Taksim and Sultanahmet are two of the best areas to stay in Istanbul, so there’s a good chance you’ll end up based in Taksim. The good news is that getting from Taksim Square to Sultanahmet is very easy, with several public transport options connecting the two areas.
The buses are comfortable and have plenty of space for luggage. Tickets are bought directly on board and cash only, you can’t use the Istanbulkart here.
Havabus operates two main routes:
Sabiha Gökçen Airport → Taksim
- Price: 367 TRY (kids under 6 ride free)
- Frequency: every 1 hour 30 minutes (06:30–00:30)
- Journey time: around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic
- Drop-off: near the Point Hotel, about 500 m from Taksim Square
Sabiha Gökçen Airport → Kadıköy (ferry terminal area)
- Price: 227 TRY (kids under 6 ride free)
- Frequency: every 2 hours 15 minutes (05:45–01:30)
- Journey time: around 1 hour
This line also has an intermediate stop at Yenisahra Metro Station (M4 line).
From Kadıköy, you can take a ferry across to Eminönü, which can be a nice way to reach the historic center by water.
My take: If you’re staying in Taksim or Kadıköy, Havabus is one of the easiest and most straightforward options from SAW.
More info: https://www.havabus.com/
2. Public buses, cheap, but slow
If you’re on a tight budget, you can use public buses operated by IETT. There are several lines leaving from the arrivals area at the airport, connecting SAW with different parts of the city.
Some of the most useful routes include: E3, E10, 16S, MR60, 130H, 132H, 122H, SG-1, SG-2, and UM73.
For example:
- To Kadıköy: E10 and SG-1, Journey time: around 85–90 minutes
- To the European side (central areas): E3 (to Levent), SG-2 (to Taksim), Journey time: around 2 hours, depending on traffic
My take: It’s cheap, but it’s slow and not very comfortable if you’ve got luggage. I only would use public buses from SAW if I’m really trying to save money and don’t mind the long ride.
More info: https://iett.istanbul/icerik/Access-to-Airports
3. Taxi, faster, but expensive
There’s a clearly marked official taxi rank right outside arrivals. Make sure you use the official taxis, as it’s not uncommon for unofficial drivers to approach tourists inside the terminal.
Depending on traffic, the journey to central Istanbul takes between 1 and 1.5 hours. As a rough guide, fares usually range between 1,200 TRY and 2,200 TRY, depending on your destination.
Approximate fares (traffic-dependent):
- To Sultanahmet: around 2,200 TRY
- To Taksim: around 1,850 TRY
- To Beşiktaş: around 1,200–1,600 TRY
- To Şişli: around 1,200–1,600 TRY
- To Kadıköy: around 1,100–1,400 TRY
- To Üsküdar: around 1,100–1,400 TRY
My take: Taxis are convenient if you’re tired or arriving late at night, but they’re pricey and traffic can really drive the cost up.
4. Private transfer: the most comfortable option
If you want zero stress, a private transfer is the most comfortable way to get from SAW to your hotel. The trip takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
The big advantage is that you get a fixed price in advance, no surprises, and a driver waiting for you at arrivals. This is especially convenient if you’re traveling as a group.
This is the go-to option for those looking for a premium service.
Check prices here: Private transfers from Sabiha Gökçen Airport
5. Metro (not direct yet)
There’s now a metro station next to the terminal (about a 5-minute walk), but it doesn’t take you directly to the historic center yet. The M4 line connects the airport with Kadıköy in about 52 minutes.
From there, you can transfer to:
- the Marmaray train (at Ayrılık Çeşmesi)
- the Metrobüs (at Ünalan)
- ferries from Kadıköy
Getting from the airport to Sultanahmet by metro + Marmaray takes around 1 hour 10 minutes.
6. Uber, BiTaksi & iTaksi
Uber works much better in Istanbul now than it did a few years ago. You’ll usually get a standard yellow taxi, but with the advantage of seeing an estimated price in advance and tracking the route in the app.
There are also two popular local alternatives: BiTaksi and iTaksi, which are often a bit cheaper and widely used by locals. I’ve tried all three, but I personally stick with Uber because if there’s ever an issue with overcharging, it’s easy to get a refund through the app.
My take: Apps are more transparent than street taxis, but with so many transport options available from SAW, I usually only use them if I’m in a hurry.
7. Car rental
You can rent a car directly at the airport. There are desks for all the major rental companies in the arrivals hall, open 24/7.
The airport connects easily to the TEM (E80) and E5 highways, which lead to the European side.
That said, I’d only recommend renting a car if you’re planning to travel outside Istanbul. Driving in the city itself can be stressful.
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