Getting to Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW): When to Leave, M4, Havabüs, Taxi and Transfer
Short answer: leave about 4 hours before an international flight from Kadıköy, Üsküdar or Ataşehir and 4½–5 hours from Taksim, Sultanahmet or Beşiktaş (roughly 3 and 3½–4 hours for a domestic flight). The airport asks you to be there 3 hours before an international departure and 2 hours before a domestic one, and the Bosphorus crossings are what make the European side slow. From Kadıköy the M4 metro takes about 52 minutes for ≈€0.85 (₺46.20), but the first ordinary train leaves at 06:00; from Taksim the Havabüs coach (≈€8.50 / ₺485) runs from 03:00. A taxi from Kadıköy costs about €32–41 (₺1,800–2,300), and a private transfer starts at €53 per vehicle, at any hour.
Your driver waits just outside the arrivals exit · flight tracking · no extra charge for traffic or flight delays · up to 6 passengers · free cancellation up to 24 h
See all prices and book →Pick your date and time: the price of every vehicle is shown on the next step, before you pay. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
On this page
- When to leave for your flight
- Check-in and security at Sabiha Gökçen
- Your options at a glance
- M4 metro to the airport
- Havabüs coach
- İETT city buses
- Taxi to the airport
- Private transfer
- Which route from where you are staying
- Early flights and leaving at night
- Drop-off and parking if you drive
- Frequently asked questions
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) sits on the Asian side near Pendik and Kurtköy. The airport itself quotes about 40 km from Kadıköy, 12 km from Pendik and 50 km from Taksim. Getting there for a flight means working to a deadline, and the Bosphorus crossings can be slow. This guide covers when to leave, check-in and security, and every way to get there.
When to leave for your flight
The airport recommends arriving 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic one. Boarding passes must be issued no later than 60 minutes (international) or 45 minutes (domestic) before departure, when the airline closes its check-in counters. The table adds the drive to those hours.
| From | By car, clear road | Leave this long before an international flight | … before a domestic flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ataşehir | 27–35 km, about 33 min | about 4 h | about 3 h |
| Kadıköy | 32–44 km, 36–39 min | about 4 h | about 3 h |
| Üsküdar | 34–44 km, 37–39 min | about 4 h | about 3 h |
| Beşiktaş | about 48 km, 42 min | 4½–5 h | 3½–4 h |
| Taksim | 41–50 km, about 47 min | 4½–5 h | 3½–4 h |
| Sultanahmet | 41–53 km, 47–51 min | 4½–5 h | 3½–4 h |
| Galataport | 41–51 km, about 47 min | 4½–5 h | 3½–4 h |
Drive times are free-flow figures from a route planner (checked 19 October 2026), not traffic times. The leave times are our own suggestion, not an airline rule: the airport hours, plus the drive, plus a margin. On weekday mornings (07:00–10:00) and evenings (16:30–20:00), and on Friday afternoons, add 30–60 minutes for any road route over the Bosphorus. By Havabüs from Taksim, allow up to 2 hours on the bus, so leave about 5 hours before an international flight.
Check-in and security at Sabiha Gökçen
- One terminal, two halls: SAW has a single terminal with separate international and domestic departure floors. Check which one your airline uses, and tell your driver or taxi.
- The order of things: screening at the terminal entrance, check-in, passport control for international flights, then a final X-ray before the gate. For a domestic flight you need an ID or passport.
- Tax-free refund: go to the Tax Free office before check-in.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Journey | Cost (2026) | With luggage | Early morning or night | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Kadıköy 30–45 min, European side 60–90 min* | from €53 (Kadıköy), €57 (Taksim) per vehicle | Best, door to door | Any hour | Families, groups, early flights, heavy bags |
| Taxi | Same as above* | Kadıköy ≈€32–41 (₺1,800–2,300); Taksim ≈€39–50 (₺2,150–2,800) + toll | Good | 24 hours, no night rate | Short notice |
| M4 metro | 52 min from Kadıköy | ≈€0.85 (₺46.20) a ride | Fine with a suitcase and a cabin bag | 06:00–23:59; all night Fri and Sat at double fare | Kadıköy and Üsküdar, light luggage, no traffic |
| Havabüs coach | Taksim about 90 min (up to 2 h); Kadıköy about 60 min | Taksim ≈€8.50 (₺485); Kadıköy ≈€5.50 (₺300) per person | Bags go in the hold | From 03:00 (Taksim) and 03:15 (Kadıköy) | Taksim, bigger bags on a budget |
| İETT buses E-3, E-10 | about 1.5–2 h | ≈€2.50 (₺138.60; E-3); ≈€1.65 (₺92.40; E-10) | City bus, little room | E-10 runs in the small hours | Levent area; Kadıköy at night |
*Clear-road times; rush hour is much slower. Fares are per person for public transport and per vehicle for our transfer (Mercedes Vito, up to 6 passengers); the exact transfer price for your date and pickup time is shown before you pay. Taxi fares are meter estimates in normal traffic.
M4 metro to the airport
The M4 runs underground from Kadıköy to the airport: 23 stations, 33.5 km and about 52 minutes end to end. Trains leave Kadıköy from 06:00 to 23:59 every day, every 4–5 minutes at peak times, every 5–6 minutes at midday and every 5–10 minutes after 21:00. The first train reaches the airport at about 06:52.
- Night service: on Friday and Saturday nights (Friday into Saturday, Saturday into Sunday) trains run every 30 minutes from 00:30 to 05:30, at a double fare of ≈€1.65 (₺92.40). There is no night service from Sunday into Monday.
- Where to board: from Kadıköy, ride to the last stop. From Üsküdar, take the Marmaray one stop to Ayrılık Çeşmesi and change to the M4. From Ataşehir, Yenisahra and Kozyatağı are on the line (Kozyatağı has the M8 interchange).
- At the airport end: the station has three entrances: the car park and domestic CIP lounge, the airport hotel, and the terminal. Use the terminal entrance.
- Luggage: Metro İstanbul allows each passenger one large suitcase plus one cabin case or small backpack free; a second suitcase costs an extra fare, and no item may exceed 30 kg or 120×60×50 cm.
Paying: one flat fare of ≈€0.85 (₺46.20) with an Istanbulkart, or ≈€1.15 (₺65) if you tap a contactless bank card. A visitor's Istanbulkart (≈€3 / ₺165 for the card) pays the full fare on every leg; the cheaper transfer fare and the Marmaray exit refund are only for cards personalised with a Turkish ID or residence permit. One card can be tapped for several people. Our Istanbulkart guide explains it, and our M4 guide has the full station list.
Havabüs coach
Havabüs is the airport coach from Taksim and Kadıköy; İETT lists the lines as SG-2 and SG-1. Times below are for the journey to the airport, checked on 19 October 2026. Departures depend on passenger numbers, so a coach may not leave exactly on time.
| Line | Boards at | First coach | Last coach | Journey | Fare with Istanbulkart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taksim (SG-2) | Cumhuriyet Caddesi, at the Gezi Park exit of Taksim metro station | 03:00 (Sat–Sun 03:30), then every 30 min | 22:00 | about 90 min, up to 2 h | ≈€8.50 (₺485) |
| Kadıköy (SG-1) | Kadıköy Rıhtım bus stops by the ferry piers | 03:15 (Sat–Sun 04:15), 04:15, 04:45, 05:15, 06:00, then about every 45 min | 23:15 | about 60 min | ≈€5.50 (₺300) |
| Yenisahra (same coach) | Yenisahra metro station, Ataşehir | about 15 min after the Kadıköy departure | — | about 45 min | ≈€5.50 (₺300) |
You pay as you board, with an Istanbulkart; a contactless bank card is charged more (≈€10.50 / ₺590 to Taksim, ≈€7 / ₺385 to Kadıköy) and cash is not accepted. There are no advance tickets for these lines. Havabüs publishes no luggage rules, but bags travel in the hold. Its call centre is 444 26 56. For the full picture see our Havabüs guide.
İETT city buses
- E-3 to 4. Levent: buses leave 4. Levent (M2 metro) for the airport between 04:00 and 00:20. It suits the Levent business district and a connection from the M2, but it is slow and has little room for luggage.
- E-10 to Kadıköy, night bus: runs between Kadıköy and the airport via Bostancı, Pendik and Kurtköy. From Kadıköy the buses leave at 01:15, 02:15, 03:45 and 04:55. İETT lists no Saturday trips from the airport, so check its timetable for your date.
- 132H from Pendik: if you reach Pendik by high-speed train (YHT), the 132H links Pendik YHT with the airport, with departures from Pendik between 06:15 and 21:10. Check iett.istanbul on the day.
Taxi to the airport
Istanbul taxis run on the İBB meter tariff, the same in both directions: yellow taxis start at ≈€1.30 (₺71.94) and charge ≈€0.85 (₺47.92) per km, with a minimum fare of ≈€4 (₺230). There is no night rate, and no airport or luggage fee, but a bridge or tunnel toll is added on routes from the European side.
| From | Taxi, normal traffic |
|---|---|
| Ataşehir | ≈€24–30 (₺1,350–1,650) |
| Kadıköy | ≈€32–41 (₺1,800–2,300) |
| Üsküdar | ≈€32–43 (₺1,800–2,400) |
| Beşiktaş | ≈€35–42 (₺1,950–2,350) + toll |
| Taksim | ≈€39–50 (₺2,150–2,800) + toll |
| Sultanahmet | ≈€40–52 (₺2,200–2,900) + toll |
The Bosphorus bridges cost ≈€1.05 (₺59) per crossing; the Avrasya tunnel costs ≈€6 (₺330) by day and about half between 00:00 and 04:59. Taxi card terminals become compulsory on 16 November 2026, but not every driver will have one until then, so carry cash. Early in the morning or in narrow streets, a taxi can be hard to find: ask your hotel to order one the evening before.
Private transfer
Your driver collects you at your hotel at the agreed time, helps with the luggage and drives you to the terminal. The price is per vehicle, not per person (Mercedes Vito for up to 6 passengers with luggage, Mercedes V-Class for VIP, Sprinter for groups), and the exact price for your date and pickup time is shown before you pay. There is no extra charge for traffic or flight delays, drivers speak English, child seats are available on request, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. We suggest a pickup time based on your flight and the day's traffic. See the price from Kadıköy (from €53), Üsküdar (from €53), Taksim (from €57), Beşiktaş (from €57), Sultanahmet (from €59) or Ataşehir (from €51), or on our Sabiha Gökçen Airport Transfer page.
Which route from where you are staying
- Kadıköy and Moda: the M4 is the simplest choice by public transport. Leave about 4 hours before an international flight.
- Üsküdar: Marmaray one stop to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then the M4. On a visitor's card the Marmaray gate charges up to ≈€1.50 (₺82.17).
- Ataşehir: the M4 from Yenisahra or Kozyatağı, or the Havabüs from Yenisahra station.
- Taksim and Beyoğlu: the Havabüs is direct, or take rail (M2, Marmaray and M4, about 80–90 minutes). Allow extra time at rush hour.
- Beşiktaş: the ferry to Kadıköy plus the M4 is about €2 (₺111) in total on a visitor card. The Taksim coach passes through Beşiktaş but does not stop. Check the ferry timetable on the day.
- Sultanahmet and the old city: the T1 tram to Sirkeci, the Marmaray two stops to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then the M4: about 1.5 hours, and trams start around 06:00, so rail cannot get you to the airport much before 07:30. For anything earlier take a taxi or transfer.
- Galataport after a cruise: see Galataport to Sabiha Gökçen.
Early flights and leaving at night
- Before about 09:00 (domestic) or 10:00 (international): the first ordinary M4 train reaches the airport at about 06:52, which is too late to follow the airport's 2 or 3-hour advice (our calculation). Use the Havabüs from 03:00 (Taksim) or 03:15 (Kadıköy), a taxi, or a pre-booked transfer.
- Between 22:00 and 03:00 from Taksim, no Havabüs runs. Except on Friday and Saturday nights (M4) and the E-10 from Kadıköy, the realistic choices are a taxi or a transfer.
- Sleeping at the airport: the Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel (128 rooms, tel. 0216 588 50 00) is on the landside next to the terminal. The Kepler sleep pods are only after passport control, so you must check in first.
Drop-off and parking if you drive
Parking at the kerb in front of the terminal is forbidden; vehicles left there are towed and fined. The airport publishes no free drop-off time, so do not assume one. Use the terminal car park: escalators and lifts go straight up to the departures floor. Prices for cars (checked 19 October 2026), payable by card, cash or online; no reservations:
| Stay | Terminal car park |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | ≈€4.50 (₺250) |
| 1–3 hours | ≈€5.50 (₺300) |
| 3–6 hours | ≈€8 (₺450) |
| 6–12 hours | ≈€10 (₺550) |
| 12–24 hours | ≈€13.50 (₺740) per day |
For a long trip, the old-terminal open car park is far cheaper: ≈€0.80 (₺45) for the first hour and ≈€2 (₺125) for 12–24 hours. A short-term pass for 7–15 days costs ≈€105 (₺5,920), but you must buy it at the pay booths within the first hour. If someone else drives you, a transfer driver deals with the airport's drop-off rules: you get out with your bags at the terminal.
Sources — timetables and fares checked on 19 October 2026: SAW check-in · SAW departing passengers · SAW car park fees · SAW buses · Metro İstanbul M4 · Metro İstanbul fares · Havabüs Taksim · Havabüs Kadıköy · İETT · Taxi card deadline (GİB) · İBB taxi tariff (PDF)
Euro amounts at €1 = ₺55.6.
Related guides: Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) · M4 metro · Havabüs airport bus · Sabiha Gökçen taxi prices · Arriving at Sabiha Gökçen at night · Getting to Istanbul Airport
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get to Sabiha Gökçen Airport from Taksim?
About 47 minutes by car on a clear road and 60–90 minutes in normal traffic, longer at rush hour because of the Bosphorus crossing. The Havabüs coach takes about 90 minutes and up to 2 hours. Leave 4½–5 hours before an international flight.
How early should I leave for Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
The airport asks you to arrive 3 hours before an international flight and 2 hours before a domestic one. From Kadıköy, Üsküdar or Ataşehir add about an hour for the road, and from Taksim, Sultanahmet or Beşiktaş add 1½–2 hours, more at rush hour.
Can I take the metro to Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
Yes, on the M4 from Kadıköy: about 52 minutes for ≈€0.85 (₺46.20) with an Istanbulkart. Trains run from 06:00 to 23:59, and all night every 30 minutes on Friday and Saturday nights at double fare. From the European side you change to the Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi.
Is there a bus from Taksim to Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
Yes, the Havabüs SG-2 leaves from Cumhuriyet Caddesi by the Gezi Park exit of Taksim metro station, every 30 minutes from 03:00 (03:30 at weekends) until 22:00. It takes about 90 minutes and costs ≈€8.50 (₺485) with an Istanbulkart.
What is the best way to reach the airport for a very early flight?
A pre-booked transfer or a taxi ordered the evening before. The first ordinary M4 train reaches the airport at about 06:52, and Havabüs starts at 03:00 from Taksim and 03:15 from Kadıköy.
How much is a taxi to Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
On the meter, in normal traffic: about €32–41 (₺1,800–2,300) from Kadıköy and ≈€39–50 (₺2,150–2,800) from Taksim, plus the bridge or tunnel toll from the European side. There is no night rate.
Can I park or be dropped off at the terminal?
Parking at the kerb in front of the terminal is forbidden and vehicles are towed. Use the terminal car park (≈€4.50 / ₺250 for the first hour), which has escalators and lifts to departures. The airport publishes no free drop-off time.
Which hall do I use, international or domestic?
Sabiha Gökçen has one terminal with separate international and domestic departure floors. Use the one for your flight, and tell your driver or taxi which it is.
Catch your flight without the rush
Your driver collects you at your hotel at the agreed time and takes you to Sabiha Gökçen. The price is per vehicle for up to 6 passengers, with the exact price for your date and pickup time shown before you pay. No extra charge for traffic, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
See transfer prices Book a Sabiha Gökçen transfer