Sabiha Gökçen ( SAW ) airport is located at asian side of Istanbul that is about 35 km far from the city center. It serves as a secondary airport for Istanbul, complementing Istanbul airport ( IST ). Istanbul Airport, also known as Istanbul New Airport, that is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of Istanbul. It’s situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Istanbul’s city center.
How far is it between the two airports?
The journey from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul Airport is at least 75 km and requires crossing a bridge to the European side. Depending on your chosen transportation method and route, the trip can take between 50 to 150 minutes.
What are the best options to transfer?
If you like to have a bus travel, Havaist provides a service that can directly transfer you and your baggages to Istanbul Airport. You can pay the driver in cash or by credit card. Please check the Havaist website to learn more about departure time.
The second and best option is taking a taxi. For travellers prioritising convenience and speed, taxis offer a direct transfer with a little more expensive fee, and they provide door-to-door service. If you are a group or a big family, this option is a great choice for you. Don’t forget to negotiate the price before departure.
While a subway connection is available from the airport, but it does not have a direct route to Istanbul Airport, so I don’t recommend it for you here.
Cost and Duration
As we talked about the best options to transfer from Sabiha Gökçen to Istanbul Airport, I’m going to list the prices for each option that mentioned earlier.
| Type | Duration | Cost ( Approx ) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Taxi | 50 minutes | 50€ |
| Van Taxi | 50 minutes | 70€ |
| HavaIst | 2 hours | 10€ / per person |
Tips for smooth transfers
if you are transferring for another flight to Istanbul Airport, please consider time and allow a minimum of 3-4 hours between flights. Also if your time is between morning (6-9 AM) and evening (4-7 PM), it means you need to add extra time for rush hours to have a transfer without stress.
For your luggage management, most shuttle and transfer services help you with standard luggage but you should confirm luggage policies with your flight transfer service to make sure about details.
Pro Advice
If your sim card is available during your transfer inside Istanbul, that’s good news for you. Otherwise, write down the contact numbers of your transfer company on a piece of paper and download offline maps of Istanbul to use if you couldn’t find an Internet connection.
After passport control, you can connect to SabihaGokcen_WiSpotter wifi, which might be helpful if you need quick Internet for a 30-minute search or call with your family.
Also, when you are buying insurance for your transportation, you can add coverage for transportation delays, which might be helpful for any unexpected changes.
Final Thoughts
By understanding your options and planning, you can make this journey efficiently and economically. Each transportation method offers unique advantages, so choose based on your budget, time constraints, and personal preferences.
Remember that Istanbul’s traffic can be unpredictable, so always allow extra time for your transfer.
Hi, I’m Sofia, a passionate travel writer who traded the cold Russian landscapes for the vibrant streets of Istanbul. As the writer in here, I’m on a mission to unveil Turkey’s hidden gems and share my personal journey of discovery.