Sabina Gokcen airport is located rather far out of the city and is not as touristy as Ataturk Airport, this resulting in less transportation options. There is no metro route, however, taxis are available at the arrivals terminal. A Sabiha Gokcen airport taxi will take around an hour to the city centre, and costs approximately €24 (125TL). Alternatively, you can take one of the privately operated Havabus shuttles from the airport, which takes you directly to the tourist centre of the new city in Taksim. This costs €2.40 (12TL) and takes around 90 minutes.
Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Istanbul at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.- Nothing Found
Getting from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the City of Istanbul
Welcome PickupsApril 22, 2021
Comparison of the options
| OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | €40 | 60min | 24/7 | Book |
| Book | ||||
| Taxi | €24 | 60min | 24/7 | |
| Bus | €4.80 | 90min | 04:00–01:00 | |
How to get a taxi from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul City
Taking a taxi to the central city of Istanbul is the best way to reach your destination comfortably and safely. Unfortunately, this trip can sometimes take over an hour due to heavy traffic. You should always take into account the heavy traffic whilst planning your trip to Istanbul. Taxis are available at the airport 24/7 and look like typical yellow taxis. It is always best to have a general idea of where you are going as some drivers have been known to take advantage of tourists.
Taxi fares from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul City
A Sabiha Gokcen airport taxi to Taksim in the city centre will cost around €24 (125TL). However, depending on the traffic, this price can be affected as the taxis are metered. Ensure that you have cash on hand to pay the driver and that the taximeter has been reset and working when you start your journey.
Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM SAW TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€24
€24
60 min
FROM SAW TO CITY CENTRE
€24
€24
60 min
FROM SAW TO SULTANAHMET
€28
€28
1h 10 min
FROM SAW TO ATATURK AIRPORT
€30
€30
1h 30 min
FROM SAW TO GALATA TOWER
€24
€24
60 min
Cost
€24
Trip Duration
60 min
*Rates may vary unless booked in advance
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Taxis are available 24/7 outside Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
Where do I get it from?
You can find the 24/7 Sabiha Gokcen airport taxi rank outside the arrival terminal.
Convenience
Taxis are an efficient, comfortable and easy way to get from the airport to the city centre, however, they can be expensive in Istanbul.
Editor’s Note
Be sure to carry cash on you, as some taxis might not have a debit/credit card machine, and might overcharge when using them.
Useful Tips
How to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul City by bus
The Havabus company is a privately-owned bus service that operates at the Sabina Gokcen airport to and from Taksim Square, in the city centre. The bus only has a few stops on its route, which could be inconvenient if you have large amounts of luggage and need to walk to your hotel from the drop off point. However, the bus does have good luggage storage and is very reasonably priced. The trip on Havabus to Taksim is about 90 minutes.
How much is the bus from Sabiha Gokcen to Istanbul City?
The bus fee is €2.40 (12TL), regardless of where you get off. You can pay for your bus ticket in cash as you board or by Istanbulkart – a reloadable card that can be purchased at the airport for €2 (10TL) and can get you a 40% discount on your trip.
Cost
€2.40
Trip Duration
90 min
There could be a 30 minute wait for the bus.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The bus is available from the airport between 04:00 - 01:00 and departs every 30 minutes.
Where do I get it from?
The bus stop and pick up point is located outside of the airport arrivals terminal.
Convenience
The bus is a good option for frequent, cheap public transport to the city centre with suitable luggage storage. However, the journey is long and the stops are limited. If you are on a tight schedule, the waiting times could be inconvenient.
Editor’s Note
Taksim is the busiest and most touristic part of the new city; it is also a great place to start your sightseeing.
Useful Tips
Welcome Pickups transfer
Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line
If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Istanbul. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.
Read morePrices
DAYTIME
€40NIGHTTIME
€40 Same price as a regular taxi from the line
PRICES FOR
Sedan Car
4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage
Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100
We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.
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20 minute gap between transfers
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Regular Car Sanitisation
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Contactless ride
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Sanitiser in every car
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Sabiha Gokcen Airport from the city of Istanbul?
A taxi from the airport is metered, therefore the price may vary depending on traffic. The cost to Taksim is approximately €24 (125TL).
How many transfer options are there from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the city of Istanbul?
There are two transfer options from the airport – the bus or taxi. The bus stop in the city centre is at the Taksim Square, whereas the taxi will go directly to your hotel.
How far is Sabiha Gokcen Airport from the city centre of Istanbul?
The airport is 43 km away from the Taksim district in the city centre. The trip should take under 1 hour in normal traffic by taxi.
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