Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Sabiha Gökçen is about 32 km (20 miles) southeast of the city center by road, in Pendik on the Asian side. Kadıköy is the nearest central district. Sultanahmet, Taksim and Beşiktaş are across the Bosphorus on the European side, and the drive there usually takes 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic and the bridge or tunnel used.

No. Istanbul has two airports. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side of the city, in Pendik, and is the base of Pegasus Airlines and AJet. Istanbul Airport (IST) is a separate, larger airport on the European side, north of the city, and is the hub of Turkish Airlines. Check the three-letter code on your ticket before you plan your transport.

The Havabus coach runs from outside arrivals straight to Taksim, and is the simplest public option. By rail, take the M4 metro to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, the Marmaray line under the Bosphorus to Yenikapı, then the M2 metro to Taksim. A taxi or pre-booked car goes door to door, which is easier with luggage or late at night.

By public transport, take the M4 metro to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, change to the Marmaray line and ride under the Bosphorus to Sirkeci, a short walk or tram ride from Sultanahmet. It involves two changes with luggage. A taxi or pre-booked car takes you to your hotel door, though some old town streets are narrow and closed to cars.

Yes. The M4 metro line has reached Sabiha Gökçen since October 2022, with a station connected to the terminal. Trains run to Kadıköy in just under an hour, about every 10 minutes from early morning to midnight. Pay with an Istanbulkart, sold at the station machines. For the European side, change to the Marmaray line at Ayrılık Çeşmesi.

Yes. Havabus coaches run from outside the arrivals hall to Kadıköy and to Taksim, from very early morning until after midnight, and the city's İETT E-10 bus also runs to Kadıköy. The E-10 is cheaper but less frequent and often full. Both can be slow in heavy traffic, so the M4 metro is often quicker to Kadıköy.

Sabiha Gökçen has one passenger terminal, opened in 2009, which handles both domestic and international flights in separate areas under one roof. Arrivals are on the ground floor and check-in and departures are on the upper level. Because every flight uses the same building, there is no terminal to change between and no inter-terminal shuttle.

Pegasus Airlines and AJet, the Turkish Airlines group's low-cost airline, fly most routes, to cities across Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. Foreign airlines include Qatar Airways to Doha, flydubai to Dubai, Air Arabia, Flynas, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, Azerbaijan Airlines and AirAsia X to Kuala Lumpur.

It depends on your nationality. Many travelers can enter Turkey visa-free for short stays, while others need an e-visa, which you apply for online at the official evisa.gov.tr site before you fly. Check the rules for your passport, including how long it must remain valid, with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your airline before you travel.

Yes. Plaza Premium runs the Bosphorus and Marmara lounges in international departures and the Anadolu lounge in the domestic area, all open 24 hours. Kepler Club, just after passport control in international departures, offers sleeping pods and lounge seating. Entry is through lounge programs such as Priority Pass, or by paying at the door.

Yes. Baggage storage is in the international arrivals hall and is open 24 hours, so you can leave bags there during a long layover or a day in the city. It is landside, so arriving passengers reach it after customs, and departing passengers can collect their bags before going up to check-in on the upper level.

Yes, but you need a personal activation code to use it. Get the code from the Wi-Fi kiosks near the terminal entrance, then connect your phone or laptop to the airport network. If you need mobile data as soon as you land, set up an eSIM before you fly or buy a local SIM card after you arrive.

Yellow metered taxis wait at the taxi stand outside the arrivals hall. Ask the driver to start the meter at the beginning of the ride and pay in Turkish lira. Bridge or Eurasia Tunnel tolls are added on trips to the European side. Apps such as BiTaksi let you call a licensed taxi and see the expected fare.