How to Get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Çatalca
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is on Istanbul's Asian side, 103.3 km east of Çatalca. Depending on traffic and your choice, the journey takes roughly 83 minutes by road or about 2 hours 50 minutes using public transport.
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Compare Terminal Car Prices⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips
- Use the official taxi rank or BiTaksi/İTaksi; ignore touts inside arrivals who offer unlicensed rides.
- Make sure the driver starts the meter and does not quote a flat fare; tolls and bridge fees are added to the meter.
- Pay attention to the class of taxi: yellow, D, turquoise and black all have different tariffs, so check the meter rate.
- Keep small TRY or a contactless card for Istanbulkart because card top-up machines can be card-only or reject foreign cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take the M4 metro to Ünalan, transfer to the Metrobüs to Beylikdüzü, then a local city bus for the final leg. The M4 plus Metrobüs fare is about €1.40 per person, plus the local bus fare.
Without heavy traffic, a taxi takes about 83 minutes for the 103.3 km route. In rush hour, Bosphorus bridge or tunnel traffic can add 30 to 60 minutes.
No, there is no direct bus or coach from SAW to Çatalca. The closest public transport gets you to Beylikdüzü, after which you need a local bus or taxi for the last 25-30 km.
A standard yellow taxi costs about €90 plus bridge or tunnel tolls. Higher class taxis such as turquoise or black can cost €100 to €150 for the same trip.
You need an Istanbulkart for both the M4 and Metrobüs; top-up machines accept cash and sometimes contactless cards, but card acceptance varies. For the final local bus, have small TRY cash.
A pre-booked private transfer is the best door-to-door option for a family with luggage, avoiding transfers and crowded public transport. An official taxi is also direct but you must verify the meter is running.
More transfers from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
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