If you’re looking to travel from Istanbul Sabiha Airport to the city center, you have five options: taxi, SAW Airport transfer, shuttle bus, public bus, or train. The Istanbul Sabiha Airport to city center distance is 43 km, but the length of the journey varies widely depending on how you travel.
A Sabiha Airport taxi or private transfer will take around 55 minutes in normal traffic. Because of the reasonable price and door-to-door service, this is the best way to travel.
For those on a budget, taking the Havabus shuttle bus is a good choice. It takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to either Taksim or Kadıköy. Meanwhile, public buses take the longest at around 2 hours. Finally, the metro/train route is the least convenient, with at least two changes and 1 hour and 30 minutes of travel time.
We break down each option in detail so keep reading!
5 ways to get from SAW Airport to Istanbul
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABLE | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €46 | 55min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Ideal for families and business travelers after a seamless arrival experience. | ||||||
Taxi | €24 | 55min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Good for families or groups after a quick, door-to-door ride. | ||||||
Metro M4 Line | €3.75 | 90min | 06:00–22:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Best for travelers on a budget. | ||||||
Shuttle bus (SG-1) | €11.20 | 90min | 06:30–00:30 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Perfect if you’re looking for the cheapest, most direct service to the center. | ||||||
Shuttle bus (SG-2) | €7 | 75min | 06:30–00:30 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Great if you’re staying on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, close to Kadıköy. | ||||||
Public bus (E-3) | €6.40 | 150min | 05:30–01:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Useful if you want to connect to the metro as the bus stops at Levent Metro station. | ||||||
Taking a taxi from Sabiha Airport to 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 there are three different classes of taxis.
The yellow taxi is the most common and cheapest available. Then there are blue taxis which are slightly more premium. Black taxis are considered luxury.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to city center taxi fares
The Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul taxi cost is around €24 (TL 850). However, this is just an estimate. Istanbul Airport taxis calculate their prices using a taximeter depending on the distance traveled.
Any toll fees accrued during your journey will be added to your fare at the end of the trip.
Where do I get a taxi from?
The taxi stand is conveniently located outside of the Arrivals Hall at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Join the queue and wait your turn. Because there are so many taxis available, the queue moves quite quickly – even during busy periods.
Convenience
Taxis are an efficient, comfortable and easy way to get from the airport to the city center. However, there are some dishonest drivers you need to be wary of. If you come prepared, you’ll have a smooth transit to your destination in Istanbul.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreIs there a train from Sabiha Gökçen Airport? There is. But it doesn’t go to the city center of Istanbul.
If you want to get from Istanbul Sabiha Airport to the city center by train, the metro is the closest thing. The M4 Line runs from the airport to Kadıköy from 06:00 to 22:00 every day.
Kadıköy is a popular location on the Anatolian side of the city. If that’s where you’re heading, lucky you! You have a direct line to your destination. However, if you’re heading to Taksim or Sultanahmet, your journey will be much more complex.
For our purposes today, we’ll dive into the route to Sultanahmet as this is easier than going to Taksim by metro. (If you want to go to Taksim, it’s best to take an airport taxi, private transfer, or the SG-1 shuttle mentioned above.)
To get to Sultanahmet, you’ll need to take the metro from Sabiha Airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesi station. This leg of the journey will take around 1 hour.
Then, transfer to the B1 overground train from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Halkalı Station.
Sultanahmet is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from Halkalı Station.
The journey should take around 1 hour and 30 minutes from end to end.
How much is a train from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the city?
To travel on the metro or train, it’s easiest to get an Istanbulkart travel card. You can purchase one from the vending machines at the airport metro station which accepts cards only (including contactless cards). The card costs €1.90 (TL 70) and a single fare costs €0.50 (TL 17.70). You’ll need to top up your Istanbulkart by at least €1.35 (TL 50) per person to get from Sahiba Airport to Sultanahmet.
Therefore, the total journey will cost around €3.25 (TL 120) for one person.
The M4 Line runs from the airport to Kadıköy from 06:00 to 22:00 every day.
Where do I get a train from?
The metro station at Istanbul Sabiha Airport is connected to the domestic and international terminals. The easiest way to find it is to look out for the red and blue “M” signs on the floor in the Arrivals Hall. You’ll then reach an escalator signposted “access to metro”. Keep following the signs down to the metro station. If in doubt, consult a member of staff.
Convenience
Taking the metro/train from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul is the least convenient method because it’s not necessarily a direct route. Going to Kadıköy is more convenient than heading to other central areas like Taksim or Sultanahmet. Regardless, the journeys are much longer than taking a taxi or transfer. That said, taking the train avoids the infamous Istanbul traffic which you may encounter using road transport.
Timetables
Istanbul Metro Information
Useful Tips
The Istanbul Sabiha Airport to city center bus is run by a private company – Havabus. Two Havabus services will get you to Istanbul city. The SG-1 goes from Sahiba Airport to Taksim. We’ll talk about the other service in the next section.
This bus only has five 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 – the Point Hotel. However, the bus does have good luggage storage and is very reasonably priced.
On average, the bus journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes, but it all depends on the traffic. As mentioned in the taxi section, traffic can be unpredictable and the cause of many delays. Therefore, on a bad traffic day, the SG-1 service to Taksim can take over 2 hours.
Fortunately, the bus departs quite frequently. It runs every half hour from 06:30 to 00:30, every day of the week. It’s worth checking the website for the most up-to-date timetable.
How much is a bus from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul city?
The SG-1 bus from Sahiba Airport to Istanbul costs €5.60 (TL 210) per person. You can buy your ticket from the driver in cash or from the Havabus ticket kiosk in the Arrivals Hall at Sabiha Airport.
The bus is available from the airport between 06:30 to 00:30 and departs every 30 minutes.
Where do I get the shuttle bus from?
The stop to catch the Havabus SG-1 service is directly outside of the Arrivals Hall. As you exit the main terminal building, follow signs to “buses” and you’ll see the Havabus stop well-signposted. If in doubt, ask a member of staff to help.
Convenience
Given the frequency and low price, the SG-1 service from Istanbul Sabiha Airport to city center is one of the more convenient public transportation methods. However, the journey is much longer than taking a taxi or transfer. You may also need to wait for an available service as there is often a long queue.
Timetables
Bus timetable to Taksim
Useful Tips
If you want an alternative route from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul, the SG-2 shuttle bus by Havabus may be a better fit for you. This one stays on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, with just three stops: Sabiha Gökçen Airport – Yeni Sahra – Kadıköy. Though there are fewer stops, you can still expect the journey to take 1 hour and 15 minutes. It can be shorter – around 1 hour – but this is rare due to traffic conditions. In heavy traffic, this bus can take up to 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Like the SG-1, the SG-2 bus runs every 30 minutes, from 06:30 to 00:30.
How much is a bus from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the city?
The bus from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy costs €3.50 (TL 130). You can purchase a ticket from the driver in cash, or you can buy a ticket from the Havabus kiosk in the SAW Airport Arrivals Hall.
This service runs from 06:30 to 00:30 every day.
Where do I get a bus from?
The SG-2 shuttle bus departs from the same stop as the SG-1 – immediately outside of the Arrivals Hall. Follow the signs towards ground transportation, then look out for the Havabus logo.
Convenience
Out of the two shuttle buses from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to the city, the SG-2 Havabus service is the cheapest and (potentially) shortest route. However, it’s only convenient if you are staying close to Kadıköy. Plus, the journey is still much longer than a taxi or transfer. If you’re traveling relatively light and don’t mind the lengthier trip, the Havabus SG-2 shuttle could be a good option for you.
Timetables
Bus timetable to Kadikoy
Useful Tips
Public buses have a distinctive yellow and white coat. There are several public bus services from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to several areas around Istanbul. For the most straightforward route, we recommend the E-3.
The E-3 bus runs from the airport to Levent Metro station. From there, you can take the M2 metro line to Taksim, so this is one of the best public routes from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the city.
It runs every 30 minutes from 05:30 to 01:00 and takes roughly 2 hours to get to Levent. Once you get to Levent, Taksim is five stops away.
Therefore, your journey will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes in total.
How much is a bus from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul city?
A one-way ticket on the E-3 bus costs €3.20 (TL 119).
You can pay for your fare via a contactless card when you board the bus. Alternatively, you can invest in an Istanbulkart for €1.90 (TL 70) and pay for your tickets that way. You’re allowed to share your travel card with four others.
Buses run from 05:30 to 01:00 every day.
Where do I get a bus from?
After leaving the Arrivals Hall at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport, cross the road to the ground transportation section. The public buses depart from the second lane in front of you. You can identify the buses by their yellow color.
Convenience
Taking a public bus from Istanbul Sabiha Airport to the city is the least convenient way to travel because the journey is so long. It can take even longer in heavy traffic conditions which Istanbul is known for. You’ll also need to arrange further transport when you get to Levent Metro or Taksim.
Timetables
E-3 Bus Timetable
Sahiba Airport to Levent Metro
Useful Tips
While getting an Istanbul Airport taxi is quite the experience, taking a private Istanbul Airport transfer from Istanbul Sabiha Airport to the city center is supreme for comfort and convenience. You’ll still get the benefits of an air-conditioned private vehicle taking you from the curb of Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to your destination. However, you’ll also get a professionally trained English-speaking driver and guaranteed on-time collection for a set price.
Choosing a top-rated private transfer company like Welcome Pickups assures you get a comprehensive, hassle-free service that includes:
Imagine how relaxing it would feel to get to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport knowing that your transfer to Istanbul is sorted. You can enjoy the gorgeous view as you descend into SAW Airport and have a seamless journey to your final destination.
How much is a private transfer from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul city?
One of the best things about booking a private transfer from Sabiha Airport to Istanbul city is that you can book and pay for your transfer in advance. So instead of playing the taximeter guessing game, you can relax knowing your first taxi journey in Istanbul is paid for.
As a guide on prices:
To get your custom quote, head to our website or mobile app (App Store || Google Play). Pop in your personal details, flight number, destination and intended pickup time. You’ll receive your fixed, all-inclusive quote in minutes and can book straight away.
Private transfers are available 24/7 from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).
Where do I get a private transfer from?
Your private transfer driver will be waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall when you touch down at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen. You’ll spot them holding a sign with your name on it. After welcoming you to Istanbul, your driver will help you with your luggage and guide you to your hand-selected vehicle.
If your plane is delayed, no problem! We update your driver so you don’t have to. Rest assured that when you arrive, your driver will be there waiting.
Convenience
Private transfers offer another level of convenience when it comes to traveling from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul. You’ll save yourself from long waits in taxi queues and haggling with your driver. Instead, you’ll have the seamless experience of a fixed rate fare and a meet-and-greet service in the Arrivals Hall. That way, you start your Turkish adventure relaxed and ready to explore.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€32Starting from 10.7 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 7 passengers
€38Starting from 5.4 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€51Starting from 4.3 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
Is there a metro from Sabiha Airport to Istanbul?
There is no direct metro from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen to Istanbul city. However, the M4 metro line runs to Ayrılık Çeşmesi station. From there, it’s just one change to get to Sultanahmet which is one of the main central areas of Istanbul city.
How much is a taxi from Istanbul Sabiha Airport to the city?
Istanbul taxi drivers use taximeters to calculate their fares depending on the distance and time traveled. That said, you can expect your taxi price from Istanbul Sabiha Airport to city center to be around €24 (TL 850). The only way to guarantee a set rate for your journey is to book a private transfer.
How far is Sabiha Gokcen Airport from the city center of Istanbul?
The airport is 43 km away from the Taksim district in the city center. The trip should take under 1 hour in normal traffic by taxi.
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