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  Transfer to/from - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen airport (SAW)

 
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Public transportation services, licensed taxis and rideshare, private transfer companies and car rental services in Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen airport (SAW)

 

 Transportation

 

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport offers excellent connectivity via public transport, private shuttles and rail services, making it easy to reach both the Asian side and the historic city centre on the European side of Istanbul.

Metro

The M4 line (Kadiköy - Sabiha Gökçen Airport) connects the terminal directly to the centre of the Asian side. This line is essential for avoiding road traffic and allows for key interchanges:

  • Kadiköy: Connection with the T3 tram (Kadiköy-Moda), ferries and maritime lines.
  • Ayrilik Çesmesi: Connection with the Marmaray train, which crosses beneath the Bosphorus to the European side (Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Yenikapi).
  • Ünalan: Connection with the Metrobus system.
  • Pendik: Connection with IETT buses to the high-speed train station (YHT).

Shuttle Buses

There are specialised services offering greater comfort and more space for luggage:

  • Havabus: These services run at regular intervals from the arrivals area to two key destinations: Taksim (European side) and Kadiköy (Asian side).
  • Havaist: The HVIST-13 route connects Sabiha Gökçen directly with Istanbul Airport (IST), facilitating transfers between the two airports. You can check routes and timetables on the official Havaist website.

Public Buses (IETT)

The municipal bus network offers the most affordable options to various districts. Main routes include:

  • E-3: Towards Levent and the financial district.
  • E-10: Fast connections to Kadiköy.
  • SG-1 / SG-2: Direct services to Kadiköy and Taksim.
  • MR60 / 132H: Connections to the high-speed train station at Pendik (YHT).

  Rent a Car

 

Taxis

The taxi service is managed by the SAWKOOP cooperative and is available 24 hours a day outside the terminal. There are three service levels based on vehicle type: Yellow (Class C - standard), Turquoise (Class D - comfort) and Black (Class E - premium). The journey to central Istanbul depends on traffic and the final destination (Bosphorus Bridge or Eurasia Tunnel).

Transport Apps

Uber is available at the airport. When requesting the service, the app will indicate the specific pick-up point in the car park or designated passenger pick-up areas.

More information: You can find up-to-date details in the transport section of the official website.

 
 

Latest updates: March 31, 2026

Transportation Tips to/from the airport

Some of these tips may seem obvious, but they are worth keeping in mind when traveling to or from the airport, especially if you are using public transportation.
 
 1 - To the airport: leave a little earlier than usually recommended. If you take a taxi or a private car service, allow for rush hour traffic, demonstrations, strikes or events that could delay your trip. It always helps to check the local news before you leave.
 
If you book a shared shuttle, keep the company's contact number handy in case the pickup is late. These services usually confirm a scheduled pickup time in advance.
 
If you use public transportation (bus or train), check the schedules (weekends and holidays usually have less frequent service), whether you need to transfer, and how to pay the fare (a transit card, or cash to the driver). These details seem obvious, but knowing them ahead of time can save you from a delay that could cause problems.
 
If you drive a rental car to the airport, check where to return it. Many airports have a dedicated rental car return area.
 
 2 - From the airport: this part is less stressful, since there is no risk of missing a flight. At worst, you will reach your hotel or meeting point a little later than planned.
 
Once you leave the plane, collect your baggage and complete any required arrival procedures. Then follow the signs for ground transportation or ask airport staff.
 
Check bus and train schedules in advance if you arrive late at night, since not all services run 24 hours. The same applies to taxis. If you plan to use a ride-hailing app such as Uber, have it ready on your phone to contact the driver.
 
If you booked a private transfer, a driver will usually be waiting for you with a sign. If you are renting a car, booking in advance gives you more peace of mind. Rental counters are usually located in the arrivals hall.

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