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41.2 km • ~45 mins

How to Get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Şişli

Sabiha Gökçen Airport is 41.2 km southeast of Şişli on the Asian side of Istanbul, so most trips cross the Bosphorus. Total journey times range from about 45 minutes by private transfer to 80-105 minutes on public transport, depending on traffic and connections.

✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026 • 41.2 km road distance

Private Transfer Door-to-Door

Recommended
45 mins •24/7 On Demand
€55 - €70 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Meet your driver in the Arrivals hall or just outside the terminal exit.
  2. Load luggage into a private vehicle and confirm your destination in Şişli.
  3. The driver uses the Bosphorus bridge or Eurasia Tunnel; toll charges are covered in the fixed price.
  4. Relax during the 45-minute door-to-door drive and get dropped at your hotel or address.
Kiwitaxi
✓ Fixed Price • Meet & Greet at Exit
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Official Airport Taxi

Metered
60 mins •24/7 At Official Rank
€37 - €42 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals and follow signs to the official taxi rank outside the terminal.
  2. Ignore touts and only use official yellow or higher-class licensed taxis from the rank.
  3. Ask the driver to turn on the meter; Bosphorus bridge or Eurasia Tunnel toll is added to the fare.
  4. Expect around 45-75 minutes to Şişli, longer in rush-hour bridge traffic.

Havabüs Coach to Taksim + M2 Metro

Low-Cost
105 mins •See Havabüs Timetable
€9.50 / Person
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Exit Arrivals and find the Havabüs stop outside the terminal.
  2. Buy a ticket for the SAW-Taksim coach (about 485 TRY; card/cash may vary).
  3. Ride about 90 minutes across the Bosphorus bridge to Taksim (Abdülhak Hamit Caddesi).
  4. Walk to Taksim metro, take the M2 line toward Hacıosman for two stops and get off at Şişli.

M4 Metro + Marmaray + M2 Metro

Cheapest
80 mins •Metro 06:00-00:00; Marmaray see timetable
€1.90 / Person
Luggage: 2 Pieces Free
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs to the M4 metro station connected to the terminal.
  2. Buy or top up an Istanbulkart; board the M4 train toward Kadıköy.
  3. Get off at Ayrılık Çeşmesi and change to the Marmaray toward Yenikapı.
  4. At Yenikapı, change to the M2 metro toward Hacıosman and get off at Şişli.

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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Use only the official taxi rank; touts inside Arrivals may overcharge or drive unlicensed cars.
  • Insist the taxi meter is on; Bosphorus bridge or Eurasia Tunnel toll must be added to the meter, not paid as a separate cash sum.
  • Pay with Turkish lira or card if the taxi has a working POS; drivers may claim the card machine is broken, so carry some cash.
  • Do not buy an Istanbulkart from strangers outside the metro station; use the official vending machines only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get from SAW to Şişli?

The metro combination (M4 to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, Marmaray to Yenikapı, M2 to Şişli) costs about 108 TRY (about €1.90) per person with an Istanbulkart, including transfers.

How long does it take by taxi from SAW to Şişli?

In normal traffic, about 45 minutes; with Bosphorus bridge congestion it can take 75-105 minutes. The official meter fare is around 2,000-2,300 TRY (€37-€42) including tolls.

Is there a direct bus from SAW to Şişli?

No direct bus stops in Şişli. The Havabüs coach to Taksim plus a short M2 metro ride is the most direct booked coach option.

Can I use Istanbulkart for the entire metro journey?

Yes, buy one Istanbulkart at the SAW metro station and load enough lira. The fare includes one full charge and two reduced transfer charges.

Are taxis available at night from SAW to Şişli?

Yes, official taxis run 24/7 from the rank outside Arrivals. The M4 metro closes around 00:00, so taxis or private transfer are more reliable after midnight.

Which option is best for a family with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer is usually best for door-to-door service, a fixed price and space for luggage. An official taxi also works but has variable traffic and toll costs.

More transfers from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)

Pendik · 9.5 km Sultanbeyli · 13 km Tuzla · 13.1 km Kartal · 15.1 km Sancaktepe · 19.6 km Adalar (Princes' Islands) · 20 km Maltepe · 20.6 km Ataşehir · 27.9 km

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