How to Get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Taksim, Sultanahmet & Kadıköy
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is Istanbul's second airport, on the Asian side of the city. That one fact shapes your whole journey. Kadıköy and the rest of the Asian shore are relatively close, but Taksim, Sultanahmet and most of the hotels visitors book are across the Bosphorus, around 45–50 km away, and the crossing is where most of the time goes.
Short answer: for Kadıköy, take the M4 metro, which runs straight from the terminal in about 50 minutes. For Taksim, the Havabüs coach goes direct in about 90 minutes, longer at rush hour. For Sultanahmet there's no direct option, so you combine the M4 with the Marmaray and a short tram ride. A taxi or private transfer is the simplest way to all three: about 30–45 minutes to Kadıköy and 60–90 minutes to the European side, depending on the crossing.
Sabiha Gökçen to the city: options by destination
| Option | To Kadıköy | To Taksim | To Sultanahmet | With luggage | After midnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M4 metro + connections | ~50 min, direct | ~85 min via ferry and funicular | Around 1.5 hours via Marmaray and tram | Fine on the M4, harder with changes | Metro closes around midnight |
| Havabüs coach | ~45–60 min | ~90 min, up to 2 h at rush hour | Taksim coach plus a connection | Good, luggage hold | Some late departures |
| Taxi | ~30–45 min* | ~60–90 min* | ~60–90 min* | Good | Yes |
| Private transfer | ~30–45 min* | ~60–90 min* | ~60–90 min* | Best, space per vehicle | Yes, flight tracked |
*Road times depend heavily on traffic at the Bosphorus crossing, especially on weekday mornings and evenings.
Why the Bosphorus crossing matters
Any trip from SAW to the European side has to cross the Bosphorus, either on one of the bridges or through the Eurasia Tunnel, and at peak times that crossing can add a lot to the journey. Experienced drivers pick the route based on live traffic, and on public transport the Marmaray rail tunnel and the ferries avoid road traffic entirely. If you're staying on the Asian side, in Kadıköy, Moda or Üsküdar, you skip the crossing altogether and your trip is much shorter.
Option 1: Private transfer
Your driver tracks your flight, waits in the international arrivals hall with your name, and takes you straight to your hotel for a fixed price per vehicle, agreed in advance. That matters most on the long European-side routes, where the crossing makes journey times unpredictable. A Mercedes Vito takes up to 6 passengers with luggage, and a Sprinter suits larger groups.
See the fixed price from Sabiha Gökçen to Taksim, Sultanahmet or Kadıköy.
Option 2: Havabüs airport coach
Havabüs is the official airport coach at Sabiha Gökçen. Its stop is just outside international arrivals, and there are two lines most visitors use: one to Taksim on the European side, with stops on the way including Levent and Zincirlikuyu, and one to Kadıköy on the Asian side. Coaches run roughly every 30 minutes through the day, with some late-night departures. The Taksim trip takes about 90 minutes, and up to 2 hours at rush hour; Kadıköy takes about 45–60 minutes.
Buy your ticket at the desk, online or on board. The fare to Taksim was around ₺440–490 in 2026, but fares change, so check havabus.com before you travel. The coach carries bags in the hold, but it ends at Taksim Square or Kadıköy rather than at your hotel.
Option 3: M4 metro, then ferry or Marmaray
The M4 metro station is inside the terminal, and you'll need an Istanbulkart from the machines there.
- To Kadıköy: ride the M4 to the end of the line, about 50 minutes with no changes. This is the cheapest and most predictable option on this list.
- To Taksim: take the M4 to Kadıköy, walk to the ferry terminal, cross to Kabataş, then ride the F1 funicular up to Taksim, roughly 85 minutes in total. It's also the most scenic arrival in the city.
- To Sultanahmet: take the M4 to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, change to the Marmaray to Sirkeci, then ride the T1 tram two stops to Sultanahmet, or walk up from Sirkeci.
The metro closes around midnight and ferries run less often late in the evening, so this works best for daytime arrivals with manageable luggage.
Option 4: Taxi
Taxis wait at the official rank outside arrivals. Insist on the meter and avoid flat-fare offers inside the terminal. On trips to the European side, bridge or tunnel tolls are added to the fare, and the total depends heavily on crossing traffic. Keep some cash handy, as not every taxi accepts cards.
Landing late at night
Sabiha Gökçen is a busy base for low-cost airlines, and many flights land late in the evening or after midnight. The M4 metro stops around midnight, so for late arrivals the realistic options are a late Havabüs departure (check the timetable for your date), a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. A driver who tracks your flight is the safest choice if your flight is likely to run late.
Where are you staying?
- Kadıköy, Moda and Üsküdar (Asian side): no Bosphorus crossing, so these are the quickest destinations from SAW by any method.
- Taksim and Beyoğlu: Havabüs goes direct to Taksim Square. For hotels in Galata or Cihangir, a car is easier than walking downhill with bags.
- Sultanahmet and the old city: no direct coach, and the public transport route involves changes, so a transfer saves the most effort here.
- Levent and Beşiktaş: the Havabüs Taksim line stops in Levent and Zincirlikuyu on the way, which can save you a connection.
Flying into Istanbul Airport (IST) instead? See our guides for Taksim, Sultanahmet and Beşiktaş and Şişli.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Taksim?
By taxi or private transfer, about 60–90 minutes depending on traffic at the Bosphorus crossing. The Havabüs coach takes about 90 minutes, and up to 2 hours at rush hour.
Is there a metro from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to the city centre?
The M4 metro runs directly from the airport to Kadıköy in about 50 minutes. For the European side you change: the Marmaray from Ayrılık Çeşmesi to Sirkeci for the old city, or the ferry from Kadıköy to Kabataş and the funicular up to Taksim.
What is the best way from Sabiha Gökçen to Sultanahmet?
With luggage, a taxi or private transfer, about 60–90 minutes. On public transport, take the M4 to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, the Marmaray to Sirkeci and the T1 tram two stops to Sultanahmet.
How do I get from Sabiha Gökçen to Kadıköy?
The M4 metro goes directly in about 50 minutes and is the cheapest option. Havabüs also runs to Kadıköy, and a taxi or transfer takes about 30–45 minutes.
What if I land at Sabiha Gökçen after midnight?
The M4 metro closes around midnight, so late arrivals usually take a late Havabüs departure, a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer. A pre-booked driver tracks your flight, so a delay does not leave you stranded.
Crossing to the European side with luggage?
Your driver waits in arrivals at Sabiha Gökçen with your name, tracks your flight and takes you straight to your hotel in Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy or anywhere in Istanbul, for a fixed price agreed in advance.
Check Price for Taksim Book Private Transfer