Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen: which one am I flying to?
Check the airport code on your ticket: IST is Istanbul Airport on the European side, SAW is Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side.
Two big airports, far apart
Istanbul has two international airports, on opposite sides of the city:
| Code | Airport | Side of the city |
|---|---|---|
| IST | Istanbul Airport | European side |
| SAW | Sabiha Gökçen Airport | Asian side |
Booking the wrong one is a common mistake, and the two airports are a long drive apart. Please check before you book.
How to check
- Look at your ticket or booking confirmation for the three-letter code: IST or SAW.
- The old Atatürk Airport no longer has passenger flights.
Booked the wrong airport?
No problem if your transfer is more than 24 hours away: write to us on WhatsApp with your booking reference and we correct it. If the price is different, we tell you the difference first.
Our guide compares both airports in detail: Istanbul Airport vs Sabiha Gökçen.