How to Get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Kartal
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is about 15.1 km (18 minutes by road) from Kartal on Istanbul's Asian side. The M4 metro is the direct public-transport route at around €0.80 per person, while taxis and private transfers take about 18 minutes door-to-door.
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Compare Terminal Car Prices⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips
- Use the official taxi rank outside Arrivals only; ignore touts inside the terminal who offer unofficial rides.
- Insist the meter is turned on before leaving the airport and starts at the correct class minimum (yellow taxi 71.94 TRY).
- For this Asian-side route to Kartal there is no Bosphorus bridge toll; any driver asking for an extra bridge charge is overcharging.
- Load money onto an Istanbulkart at official machines only; avoid anyone selling used cards at an inflated price.
Frequently Asked Questions
The M4 metro costs about €0.80 per person with an Istanbulkart and takes roughly 20 minutes, including the short walk to central Kartal.
There is no direct bus or shuttle to Kartal listed; the M4 metro is the direct public-transport line with a station at Kartal.
Official yellow taxis cost about €14.50–€16.50 for the 15.1 km trip, depending on traffic and taxi class; this route has no Bosphorus bridge toll.
The metro requires an Istanbulkart topped up at machines. Many taxis accept card payment but carry some cash as backup and confirm before the ride.
The M4 metro runs roughly 06:00–00:00, so after midnight use an official taxi or pre-booked private transfer.
A private transfer or taxi gives door-to-door service and more luggage space; the metro is the cheapest but has limited luggage room.
More transfers from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
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