Istanbul Airport Transfers: Getting from the Airport to the City

Getting from the airport into Istanbul

Istanbul has two international airports on opposite sides of the city, and confusing them is the single most common — and costly — mistake visitors make. Istanbul Airport (IST) sits on the European side, well north of the centre; Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) sits on the Asian side, south-east of Kadıköy. A taxi between the two airports can take well over an hour and cost more than many people's hotel budget for a night, so check which one your flight actually uses before booking transport.

Istanbul Airport (IST) — About 40 km north of the historic peninsula, European side

The newer, larger hub handling most long-haul and Turkish Airlines traffic. It sits well outside the city, so budget a full hour or more for the transfer regardless of mode.

• Havaist airport bus

  70–100 minutes to Taksim or Sultanahmet depending on traffic. Roughly the equivalent of a few euros, paid in lira on board or online. Best for budget travelers heading to central European-side neighbourhoods with light luggage.

• M11 metro plus M2 connection

  About 90 minutes to Taksim with one change. Standard Istanbulkart metro fare. Best for travelers comfortable navigating a transfer and avoiding road traffic entirely.

• Private transfer or taxi

  45–75 minutes depending on time of day. A pre-agreed private transfer is more predictable than a metered taxi over this distance. Best for late arrivals, groups, or anyone with heavy luggage and a hotel address to give the driver directly.

Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) — About 45 km south-east of central Istanbul, Asian side

Handles most low-cost carriers. It is on the opposite side of the city from the historic peninsula, so if your hotel is in Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu, plan for a genuinely long crossing rather than a quick hop.

• Havabüs airport bus

  60–90 minutes to Taksim; longer to the historic peninsula. Similar range to the Havaist service from Istanbul Airport. Best for travelers heading to Beyoğlu or Taksim who want a direct, no-change coach.

• M4 metro to Kadıköy, then ferry

  Around 60 minutes to Kadıköy, plus a 20-minute ferry to the European side. Combined metro and ferry Istanbulkart fares. Best for travelers based on the Asian side, or anyone happy to combine a metro ride with a scenic ferry finish.

• Private transfer or taxi

  60–90 minutes to European-side neighbourhoods, in heavy traffic often longer. Noticeably higher than a same-side airport transfer given the distance and bridge tolls. Best for late-night arrivals or travelers going straight to a European-side hotel with luggage.

Which option should you choose?

Always confirm which airport your flight uses before booking a hotel or transfer — Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen are roughly 90 minutes apart from each other by road, on different continents. If your itinerary has you arriving into one airport and departing from the other, build in extra time or plan a night near whichever airport you're leaving from. Both airports' bus and metro options run into the small hours to match flight schedules, but a pre-booked private transfer removes the risk of a long taxi queue after a delayed arrival.