How to get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) ✈️ to the City Center

Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), also known as Sabiha Gökçen Uluslararası Havalimanı, is the second largest airport in Istanbul and is located about 40 km east of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Istanbul by Taxi or Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer).

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (IST) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison

Overview of all transfer options from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to the City Center (Taksim Square)

	Transport	Travel time	Cost
	Taxi	45‑90 Min.	30 $	Details
	Welcome Pickups	45‑90 Min.	45 $	Details

ⓘ Status 2023

Notices:
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.

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Travel tips and recommendations for a great stay in Istanbul:

    Cheap flights to Istanbul

   Best hotels in Istanbul

   Tours and attractions in Istanbul

   Istanbul City Cards

    High-quality suitcases and trolleys

Taxi

Official local Taxis

Travel time:

45-90 minutes

Cost:

850 TL (around 30 $)

Description:

Taxi from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (Taxis in front of the arrival terminal) to central Istanbul, Taksim Square or directly to your accommodation in the city center

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Welcome Pickups (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

45-90 minutes

Cost:

1300 TL (around 45 $)

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to central Istanbul, Taksim or to your accommodation

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Route from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to central Istanbul (Taksim Square)

Things to know about Istanbul:

1. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul attracts between 250.000 and 400.000 visitors daily
2. Istanbul is home to the most mosque in Turkey (over 3.000 mosques)
3. Istanbul is the only pan-continental city in the world situated on two continents, Europe and Asia