Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) SAW: Departure times and transfers

Flying from/to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Get straight from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the city centre without dither—booking your ticket in advance means you can zoom through the airport and be on your way to the city. We, at Omio, have collected information on the facilities that you have after landing, and the main places worth stopping at in the city centre to make planning your trip easier.

Arriving at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)

Glittering like a jewel at the mouth of the Bosporus Strait, Istanbul straddles the East and the West, acting as a gateway for cultural exchange for centuries. Named for the first female fighter pilot in the world, Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It serves passengers flying with a range of airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, SunExpress, and Turkish Airlines, among many others.

What's the best way to get from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the city center?

Istanbul has a complicated but comprehensive public transportation system that includes buses, trams, underground metro rails, ferry boats, and even a gondola lift. There are several routes from the airport to the city center. From the S.Gökçen Nizamiye stop at the airport, travelers can take the E-10 bus toward Kadıköy to Vergi Dairesi. From there, they can walk to the Yakacık/Adnan Kahveci metro station and take the M4 line toward Kadıköy. They will need to transfer again at Ayrılık Çeşmesi, taking the Marmaray metro rail toward Zeytinburnu, disembarking at the Marmaray Sirkeci İstasyonu stop in the heart of central Istanbul. The E-9 toward Bostancı and MR60 bus lines also intersect with the M4 metro route from the airport at the Pendik Köprüsü station. The journey on public transportation can be 2 to 3 hours long, however, and driving can shorten the trip to just 1 hour. There are car rental stands at the airport, and all taxis are metered, with no reservations required. The taxi rank is on the ground level of the terminal.

How far is the city center from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport?

Travelers heading to the airport have several options to choose from, in addition to the M4 metro and E-10 bus line. The Marmaray line follows a similar route to the M4 metro, and it can be taken to the Pendik Yht İstasyonu stop on the IST-8 bus line, which drops off passengers a mere 11 minutes' walk from the airport at Sabiha Gökçen H.L. Adventurous passengers near Eminönü can take the Kadıköy Çayırbaşı 2 ferry to the Kadıköy stop, where several routes to the airport meet, including the aforementioned Marmaray metro. The 19F bus toward Yeditepe Üniv./Fındıklı Mahallesi is another option, with a transfer at FSM Hastanesi onto the E-10 bus toward Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı/Kurtköy, which drops off travelers 6 minutes from the airport entrance. Taxis are available throughout the city as well.

What services are there at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport?

Sabiha Gökçen has the duty-free shopping areas, 24-hour currency exchanges, pharmacies, luggage storage, and lockers that would be expected of an international airport this busy. Snack kiosks and restaurants are located throughout the airport. Although most are in the international and domestic departures halls, there are some food options in arrivals as well. There's even a hair salon, located on the mezzanine level of domestic departures. WiFi is available at the airport, but travelers will have to visit one of the eight kiosks in the international and domestic departure levels and pay for it. Similarly, airport lounges are available for economy passengers who are willing to pay for entry. The ISG Airport Hotel is a short 3-minute walk from the arrivals hall. There's also a shuttle available for travelers with heavy bags or needing assistance. ATMs from 15 different banks are in the domestic and international terminals. The lost property office is located on the departures level at the domestic information desk, open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. There are two masjids (mosques) on the premises.

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

Wheelchair service is available in the international and domestic terminals for passengers who contact their airline before arriving at the airport. Airport attendant staff is available to assist with check-in, clearing security checkpoints, and boarding or disembarking the aircraft. All bathrooms are built to accessible specifications, as are the ATMs and payphones. There are designated parking spaces close to the airport entrance. Inside, there are escalators to the mezzanine level of the domestic terminal and at each of the boarding gates. Elevators are large enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

Local tips: what to know before flying to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Many travelers report that service at Sabiha Gökçen can be chaotic, so allotting a significant amount of time for clearing security and customs and for claiming baggage is a good idea. Getting a quick snack and water in the arrivals hall is recommended, especially since lines can be long and slow. Smoking in enclosed areas is illegal in Turkey, so there are no smoking rooms inside the airport. There is a designated smoking area outdoors, but it is not covered and has no rain protection. Passengers who plan to use public transport can find an Istanbulkart kiosk across the street from the arrivals terminal exit. There are also vending machines at bus and metro stations.