Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Istanbul: Every Route, Time and Price
Short answer: for Kadıköy, the M4 metro runs from the terminal to Kadıköy in about 50 minutes for ≈€0.85 (₺46.20). For Taksim, the Havabüs coach goes direct in about 90 minutes (up to 2 hours at rush hour) for ≈€8.50 (₺485); for Sultanahmet, combine the M4, the Marmaray and the T1 tram, about 1.5 hours. A taxi takes about 30–45 minutes to Kadıköy and 60–90 minutes to the European side, roughly €39–50 (₺2,150–2,800) to Taksim plus the bridge toll. A private transfer costs from €53 per vehicle to Kadıköy and from €57 to Taksim.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is Istanbul's second airport, near Pendik and Kurtköy on the Asian side: about 36–40 km from Kadıköy and 43 km from Taksim by road. Kadıköy and Üsküdar are on the same side; Taksim, Beşiktaş and Sultanahmet lie across the Bosphorus, and the bridge or tunnel crossing is what takes the time. Below are all the ways into the city, with 2026 prices and journey times, and a detailed guide for each route.
Where are you going? Routes, times and prices
| Destination | Best public transport | Time | Taxi (approx.) | Private transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kadıköy | M4 metro, direct (≈€0.85 / ₺46.20) | ~50 min by metro; 30–45 min by car | ≈€32–41 (₺1,800–2,300) | from €53 |
| Taksim | Havabüs coach, direct (≈€8.50 / ₺485) | ~90 min by coach, up to 2 h; 60–90 min by car | ≈€39–50 (₺2,150–2,800) + bridge toll | from €57 |
| Sultanahmet / Old City | M4 + Marmaray + T1 tram (≈€0.85 / ₺46.20 a ride, Marmaray up to ≈€1.50 / ₺82.17) | ~1.5 h by rail; 60–90 min by car | ≈€40–52 (₺2,200–2,900) + tunnel or bridge toll | from €59 |
| Beşiktaş | M4 to Kadıköy, then the ferry | 40–65 min by car | ≈€35–42 (₺1,950–2,350) + bridge toll | from €57 |
| Üsküdar | M4 to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, then one stop on the Marmaray | 35–60 min by car | ≈€32–43 (₺1,800–2,400) | from €53 |
| Istanbul Airport (IST) | Havaist direct coach (≈€9.50 / ₺515) | ~2 h by coach; 75 min–2 h by car | ≈€72–90 (₺4,000–5,000) + tolls | from €78 |
Prices change: fares are approximate 2026 figures, and taxi fares are meter estimates in normal traffic, with tolls extra on routes to the European side and IST. Transfer prices are per vehicle (Mercedes Vito, up to 6 passengers); the exact price for your date and pickup time is shown before you pay.
Guides for every option
Sabiha Gökçen Airport Taxi Prices
Meter tariff, fares to twelve destinations, bridge and tunnel tolls, Uber and BiTaksi.
Havabüs airport bus
Fares to Taksim and Kadıköy, paying with an Istanbulkart, stops and timetable.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul
Metro, coach, ferry, taxi and transfer to Taksim, Sultanahmet and Kadıköy compared.
Meeting your driver at Sabiha Gökçen
What happens after landing and where your driver meets you.
Istanbul Airport vs Sabiha Gökçen
Which airport suits your hotel, with fares and transfer prices from both.
Arriving at Sabiha Gökçen: good to know
- One terminal: domestic and international passengers leave through the same arrivals exit, after passport control (on international flights), baggage claim and customs.
- Get an Istanbulkart first: the machines in the M4 station, reachable from the terminal, sell the card for ≈€3 (₺165). With it the Havabüs to Taksim costs ≈€8.50 (₺485), not ≈€10.50 (₺590) by contactless bank card, and the buses take no cash.
- Havabüs stop: the coaches leave from the İETT stop opposite the arrivals exit. The last ones leave at 00:30 for Taksim and 01:30 for Kadıköy; there is no 24-hour service.
- Taxis: the official rank is directly outside the arrivals exit. The meter tariff has no airport or luggage fee; only tolls are added. Ignore ride offers inside the terminal (unlicensed drivers) and carry lira in cash, as card payment isn't yet compulsory.
- Late arrivals: the M4 runs until around midnight, all night only on Friday and Saturday nights (double fare, ≈€1.65 / ₺92.40). The E-10 night bus leaves for Kadıköy at 00:15, 01:05, 02:25 and 03:30 (check İETT's timetable).
- Private transfer: your driver tracks your flight and meets you just outside the arrivals exit. Once you land, they contact you on WhatsApp with the exact meeting point and a short video.
Which option suits you?
Solo or with light luggage: public transport works well from SAW. The M4 is the cheapest, most predictable way to Kadıköy and, via the Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi, to Üsküdar and Sultanahmet; the Havabüs goes direct to Taksim. For one or two people heading to the Asian side, a taxi is quick and usually the cheapest door-to-door option.
Families, groups and heavy luggage: per-person fares and connections add up, and a taxi usually takes up to four passengers. A private transfer is priced per vehicle (Mercedes Vito for up to 6, Sprinter for larger groups) and stops at your door, which helps most on the European side, where traffic and tolls make the meter unpredictable, and in the narrow lanes of Sultanahmet or Galata.
Landing late: many low-cost flights land at Sabiha Gökçen late in the evening or after midnight. After the last Havabüs, and except on Friday and Saturday nights when the M4 runs all night, the realistic choices are a taxi or a pre-booked transfer; a driver who tracks your flight adjusts the pickup to your actual landing time.
Related guides: Istanbulkart for visitors · Arriving in Istanbul at night
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Taksim?
The Havabüs coach runs direct to Taksim Square in about 90 minutes, up to 2 hours at rush hour, for ≈€8.50 (₺485) with an Istanbulkart. By rail (M4, Marmaray and M2) it takes about 80–90 minutes. A taxi takes about 60–90 minutes and costs roughly €39–50 (₺2,150–2,800) plus the bridge toll; a private transfer costs from €57 per vehicle.
Is there a metro from Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
Yes. The M4 runs from the airport to Kadıköy in about 50 minutes for ≈€0.85 (₺46.20) with an Istanbulkart (the card itself costs ≈€3 / ₺165). For the European side, change at Ayrılık Çeşmesi to the Marmaray, which runs under the Bosphorus to Sirkeci and Yenikapı. The M4 runs until around midnight, and all night on Friday and Saturday nights.
How much is a taxi from Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
Taxis run on Istanbul's official meter tariff. In normal traffic a yellow taxi costs about €32–41 (₺1,800–2,300) to Kadıköy, ≈€39–50 (₺2,150–2,800) to Taksim and ≈€40–52 (₺2,200–2,900) to Sultanahmet. On trips to the European side, the bridge or tunnel toll is added to the meter; there is no airport or luggage fee.
What if I land at Sabiha Gökçen after midnight?
The last Havabüs coaches leave at 00:30 for Taksim and 01:30 for Kadıköy, and the M4 closes around midnight except on Friday and Saturday nights, when it runs all night. After that, take the E-10 night bus to Kadıköy, a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer. A pre-booked driver tracks your flight, so a delay doesn't leave you stranded.
How do I get from Sabiha Gökçen to Istanbul Airport (IST)?
The two airports are about 80–100 km apart by road, 75 minutes to 2 hours by car. The direct Havaist coach takes about 2 hours and costs ≈€9.50 (₺515), a taxi costs about €72–90 (₺4,000–5,000) plus tolls, and a private transfer costs from €78 per vehicle. On separate tickets, allow at least six hours between flights.
Going straight to your hotel?
Book a private transfer from Sabiha Gökçen: your driver tracks your flight and meets you just outside the arrivals exit, and once you land, they send you the exact meeting point on WhatsApp. From €53 per vehicle to Kadıköy and from €57 to Taksim for up to 6 passengers, with the exact price for your date and pickup time shown before you pay.
See transfer prices Book a Sabiha Gökçen transfer