Transferring Between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen
Istanbul's two airports sit on opposite sides of the city: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side near the Black Sea coast, and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) far out on the Asian side. If you're connecting between them, arriving with one airline and leaving with another, or switching to a domestic flight, you're facing one of the longest airport-to-airport transfers of any European city. This guide covers both directions.
Short answer: by road it's roughly 80–100 km, depending on the route, and usually takes 75 minutes to 2 hours. By public transport, the rail chain of M11, M2, Marmaray and M4 takes around 2.5 hours or more with three changes. For a same-day connection on separate tickets, allow generous time; we'd suggest at least six hours between landing and your next departure.
Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökçen: all options at a glance
| Option | Journey time | Changes | With luggage | At night | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | ~75 min–2 h* | None | Best, space per vehicle | Yes, flight tracked | Tight connections, families, heavy luggage |
| Taxi | ~75 min–2 h* | None | Good | Yes | No booking; expect a high metered fare |
| Rail (M11, M2, Marmaray, M4) | ~2.5 h or more | 3 | Hard with big bags | No overnight service | Light luggage and plenty of time |
| Airport coaches via Taksim | ~3 h or more | 1, plus transfers | Fair | Limited | Rarely the best option |
*Drivers either take the northern motorway over the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge or cross through the city by bridge or the Eurasia Tunnel, depending on traffic. Tolls apply either way, and journey times vary a lot during the day.
Before you plan: you're changing airports, not terminals
- Passport control: if you arrive on an international flight, you'll pass through passport control at the first airport, so you need to be able to enter Turkey. Check whether your nationality needs a visa or e-Visa before you travel.
- Luggage: unless your airline has explicitly confirmed otherwise, expect to collect your checked bags and check them in again at the second airport.
- Check-in deadlines: check-in at the second airport closes some time before departure, so work backwards from that time, not from the departure time.
How much time to allow between flights
- Landing, passport control and baggage claim: from 45 minutes to well over an hour at busy times.
- The transfer itself: 75 minutes to 2 hours by road, more at rush hour; 2.5 hours or more by rail.
- Check-in and security at the second airport: plan to arrive about 2 hours before an international departure.
Add a buffer for delays on your arriving flight. On separate tickets, a missed connection is usually your own responsibility, which is why we'd suggest at least six hours in total. If your arrival is late at night and your next flight is the following morning, it's often more relaxing to spend the night in the city.
Option 1: private transfer
A pre-booked driver tracks your arriving flight, waits with your name after baggage claim and drives you straight to your departure terminal at a fixed price per vehicle agreed in advance, whichever route traffic favours that day. For a connection with a deadline, not having to find a taxi, negotiate or watch a meter is worth a lot. A Mercedes Vito seats up to 6 passengers with luggage, and larger groups can book a Sprinter.
Book from Istanbul Airport on our Istanbul Airport Transfer page, or in the other direction on our Sabiha Gökçen Airport Transfer page.
Option 2: taxi
Taxis wait at the official ranks outside arrivals at both airports. This is one of the longest taxi rides in the city, with tolls added to the metered fare, so it's also one of the most expensive. Insist on the meter, turn down fixed prices offered inside the terminal and keep some cash handy, as not every driver accepts cards.
Option 3: rail
From Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökçen:
- Take the M11 from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe.
- Change to the M2 towards Yenikapı and ride to the end of the line at Yenikapı.
- Change to the Marmaray and cross under the Bosphorus to Ayrılık Çeşmesi.
- Change to the M4 towards Sabiha Gökçen Airport and ride to the airport.
In the other direction, follow the same steps in reverse. With three changes and long escalators, this route takes around 2.5 hours or more and suits travellers with light luggage and plenty of time. It doesn't run overnight.
Option 4: airport coaches via Taksim
You can combine the two airport coach services: Havaist from Istanbul Airport to Taksim, then Havabüs from Taksim to Sabiha Gökçen, or the other way round. Allowing for waiting times and traffic, expect 3 hours or more. It only really makes sense if you want to stop in Taksim anyway.
Staying overnight between flights?
If you land in the evening and fly out the next day, splitting the trip is often the best option: a transfer into the city, a night in a hotel and a transfer to the other airport in the morning. Our guides cover the routes from Istanbul Airport to Taksim, Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet, Sabiha Gökçen to Kadıköy and Sabiha Gökçen to the city centre.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Istanbul Airport from Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
Roughly 80–100 km by road, depending on the route. The drive usually takes 75 minutes to 2 hours, and longer at rush hour.
Can I go between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen by public transport?
Yes, by rail with three changes: the M11 to Gayrettepe, the M2 to Yenikapı, the Marmaray to Ayrılık Çeşmesi and the M4 to Sabiha Gökçen. It takes around 2.5 hours or more and doesn't run overnight.
How much time do I need between flights at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen?
On separate tickets we'd suggest at least six hours between landing and departure, to cover passport control, baggage claim, the transfer, check-in and security, plus a buffer for delays.
Do I need a visa to change airports in Istanbul?
If you arrive on an international flight, you have to pass passport control to leave the first airport, so you need to be able to enter Turkey. Check the visa or e-Visa rules for your nationality before you travel.
Is a taxi between Istanbul's two airports expensive?
It's one of the longest taxi rides in the city, with tolls on top of the metered fare, so it's among the most expensive. A pre-booked transfer gives you a fixed price per vehicle in advance.
Connecting between Istanbul's airports?
Your driver tracks your arriving flight, meets you after baggage claim and drives you straight to your departure terminal at a fixed price agreed in advance.
Istanbul Airport Transfer Sabiha Gökçen Transfer