How to Get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Avcılar
Avcılar is about 64 km west of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, across the Bosphorus on the European side. Door-to-door journeys take as little as 64 minutes by car, while the M4 metro plus metrobus route takes around 120 minutes.
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Compare Terminal Car Prices⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips
- Only use the official taxi rank outside Arrivals and insist the meter is switched on; drivers at SAW cannot legally refuse the meter.
- Ignore touts inside the terminal offering rides; they are unlicensed and will overcharge for the long cross-continental trip.
- When taking a taxi to European-side districts like Avcılar, the bridge or Eurasia Tunnel toll is added to the meter — check it appears on the receipt.
- Buy or top up an Istanbulkart only at the official M4 metro ticket machines; card acceptance can vary, so carry cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take the M4 metro to Ünalan, transfer to the westbound Metrobüs, and get off at Avcılar. It costs about 77 TRY total, roughly €1.40 per person, and takes around 120 minutes.
In light traffic, the 63.8 km drive takes about 64 minutes, but allow longer at rush hour. A standard yellow taxi costs about €56 before bridge or tunnel tolls.
No. Havabüs serves Kadıköy and Taksim, not Avcılar. You must use the M4 metro plus Metrobüs combination or a taxi/private transfer.
Istanbulkart is the standard method and can be bought or topped up at SAW metro machines, which accept cash. Contactless card acceptance can vary, so carry cash for your first load.
A pre-booked private transfer or official taxi is easier because it is door to door, takes about 64 minutes, and avoids crowded metro and metrobus transfers with luggage.
The M4 metro does not run at night (about 06:00–00:00). Late-night arrivals should use a taxi from the official rank or a pre-arranged private transfer.
More transfers from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
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