Travels in Asia

Istanbul International Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport are located on opposite sides of the city. The distance between the two airports in Istanbul is 86 km and it takes at least 1.5 hours to drive from one airport to the other by the shortest route. This article will help you get from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport and save time or money, whichever is more important to you.

How to get from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport | Turkey

Contents:

Travel Tips: The fastest way to get from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport is to take a private taxi transfer.

Where are the two international airports of Istanbul on the map

The largest airport in Istanbul and Turkey is located in the north, about 40 km from the city centre, near the Black Sea coast.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport is in the south-east, in the Asian part of Istanbul.

You have to cross the Bosphorus and travel about 90 km to get from one international airport to the other.

Read more about all Istanbul airports in the article All Istanbul airports - names, location on the map, transfers, and hotels.

Istanbul's international airports on the map
All Istanbul's international airports on the map

The fastest way to get from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport

The fastest and most convenient way to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to New Istanbul Airport is to take a taxi transfer:

  • A transfer driver will meet you at the exit of the arrivals area, help you with your luggage and take you from one airport to the other by the fastest route.
  • The cost of the transfer is fixed and cannot increase during the journey.
  • You can pay in advance and have no hassle with currency exchange.

  Affordable taxi transfers for a large family or company >>

User friendly website to order a taxi transfer >>

Metered airport taxis

You can find taxis at Istanbul airports at any time of the day or night by following the "Taxi" signs.

It is better to have cash in Turkish lira to pay for a taxi. Many taxis have card payment terminals, but there is no guarantee that your bank card will be accepted.

Travel tips: Do not change a lot of cash at the airport, as the exchange rate is worse than at any exchange office in the city.

Taxi drivers are required by law to run the meter. But they often forget to switch on it.

The taxi fare must be the amount calculated by the meter plus the cost of crossing the Bosphorus.

There are two types of taxis at the airport:

  • Black taxis are premium class,
  • Yellow taxis are economy class.
Taxi cars in the Istanbul airport
Taxi cars in the Istanbul airport

The estimated cost of an economy class taxi from Istanbul New Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport is around 35 euros. However, no one can say which route the taxi driver will take, whether he will add extra kilometres or whether his meter will count the fare correctly.

The cheapest way to get from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport

A trip between Istanbul's two airports by bus will cost you just 215 Turkish Liras. But you have to:

  • Match your plans to the bus schedule.
  • Solve payment problems.
  • Hope the bus isn't cancelled.

The bus number has changed several times in recent years. You have to find the right bus direction, don't worry about the bus number.

Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gönçen Airport Bus Timetable (valid at the time this article was updated)
Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gönçen Airport Bus Timetable (subject to change without notice)

A Havaist bus runs between two Istanbul airports:

  • the route number is HVİST-13 (be sure to check if the bus goes to Sabiha Gokcen Airport),
  • estimated duration of the trip - 120 minutes and 85 km,
  • ticket price 215 TL,
  • the bus runs every 1 - 3 hours around the clock,
  • the actual bus schedule can be checked on the Havaist website (in English).

You can read more about buses from the Istanbul airport in this article.

How to pay for the bus:

  1. by cash Turkish lira to buy a ticket at a kiosk at the bus stop,
  2. when entering the bus, pay with a contactless bank card,
  3. on the Havaist website (I would like to add that I have never been able to buy a ticket on this website.).

Hotels in the Istanbul airports

You can use hotels at the airports to take a rest until your next flight:

If you have time to walk around Istanbul, you may be interested in guided tours of Istanbul.

About the author

The author of AsiaPositive Iryna Rasko

I am a passionate traveller and photography is my greatest love. Asia is a constant source of inspiration for me.

The information I share in my articles is based on personal experience and extensive research. It is my sincere hope that my articles will assist you in planning your travels in Asia and beyond.

Please note that English is not my first language and I apologise for any errors or awkward phrasing.

© Iryna Rasko