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89.3 km • ~90 mins

How to Get from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)

Istanbul Airport (IST) to Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is 89.3 km across the Bosphorus to the Asian side. Depending on transfer type, the journey takes about 90 minutes by car, 1 hour 40 minutes by direct Havaist coach, or 2 hours by metro and Marmaray.

✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026 • 89.3 km road distance

Pre-Booked Private Transfer

RECOMMENDED
90 mins •Pre-Booked / On Demand
€95 - €120 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Bags Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. After baggage claim, look for your driver holding a sign in Arrivals Hall.
  2. Confirm booking details and follow your driver to the pre-booked vehicle pickup lane outside.
  3. Board the vehicle and stow luggage in the boot.
  4. Take the O-7/E-80 then O-4/TEM across the Bosphorus bridge toward Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
  5. Be dropped at the SAW terminal entrance.
Kiwitaxi
✓ Fixed Price • Meet & Greet at Exit
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Havaist HVL-10 Airport Coach

DIRECT BUS
100 mins •Regular Departures, See Havaist Timetable
€9.50 / Person
Luggage: Hold Luggage Included
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. From Arrivals, take the escalator or lift down to floor -2.
  2. Follow signs for "Bus / Metro" to Platform 13.
  3. Board the HVL-10 Sabiha Gökçen Airport coach.
  4. Pay on board with Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card (530 TRY, approx €9.50).
  5. Store luggage in the hold and alight at Sabiha Gökçen Airport terminal.

Official Airport Taxi

METERED
90 mins •On Demand From Official Rank
€78 - €101 + Bridge Toll (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Bags Fit In Boot
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals to the official taxi rank outside the terminal.
  2. Insist the meter is switched on and confirm a card-paying taxi if you need to pay by card.
  3. Tell the driver you are going to Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW).
  4. Route via O-7/E-80 and O-4/TEM across the Bosphorus bridge; the bridge toll is added to the metre.
  5. Pay the metered fare in cash or card at the SAW terminal drop-off.

Metro + Marmaray + M4 to Sabiha Gökçen

CHEAPEST
120 mins •M11 Every 20 Mins; No Night Service
€2.40 / Person
Luggage: No Luggage Racks; Hard At Rush Hour
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Go to floor -2 and enter M11 metro station; buy or top up an Istanbulkart at the Biletmatik machine.
  2. Take M11 towards Gayrettepe and ride to Gayrettepe (about 35 minutes).
  3. At Gayrettepe change to M2 metro towards Yenikapı and ride to Yenikapı.
  4. At Yenikapı follow signs to Marmaray and take a suburban train across the Bosphorus to Ayrılık Çeşmesi.
  5. At Ayrılık Çeşmesi change to M4 metro towards Sabiha Gökçen Airport and ride to the final station; follow signs to the terminal.

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Use the official taxi rank outside Arrivals; ignore touts in the terminal offering taxis or transfers.
  • Insist the taxi meter is reset at the start and ask if card payment is possible before boarding.
  • For trips to SAW, the taxi meter will include a Bosphorus bridge toll on top of the distance fare; confirm the total payment method before departure.
  • Do not buy Istanbulkart or tickets from unofficial helpers; use Biletmatik machines on floor -2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökçen Airport?

The cheapest way is using a single Istanbulkart for M11 metro, M2 metro, Marmaray and M4 metro. The total fare is about 133 TRY (approx €2.40) and takes 2 hours or more.

Is there a direct bus between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport?

Yes, Havaist HVL-10 runs from Istanbul Airport floor -2 Platform 13 directly to Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The one-way fare is 530 TRY (approx €9.50).

How long does the IST to SAW journey take?

By pre-booked transfer or taxi, expect about 90 minutes without heavy traffic. The direct Havaist coach takes around 100 minutes, while public rail usually takes 2 hours or more.

Can I pay for the Havaist airport coach by card?

Yes, you can pay on board with an Istanbulkart or a contactless bank card. Cash may not be accepted, so have one of these ready.

Is taxi safe from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökçen?

Use the official taxi rank and make sure the meter is on. For Asian-side trips like SAW the bridge toll is added to the meter; licenced taxis include several colours, not only yellow.

Which IST to SAW option is best for families with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer is usually best for families because it is door-to-door and includes luggage. The Havaist coach also takes hold luggage, while metro trains have no luggage racks and involve three changes.

More transfers from Istanbul Airport (IST)

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