Istanbul has two operational airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). This article provides information about both airports, including their location on a map, how to get from each airport to the city centre, hotels in and around the airports, and transportation options for connecting flights.
Contents:
- How many airports are in Istanbul
- Istanbul airports in one table (name, codes, taxi, and hotels)
- All Istanbul Airports on the Map
- Transportation options from Istanbul airports to the city center
- Hotels in and around Istanbul airports
- How to determine the arrival airport for a specific flight
- Connecting flights in Istanbul with a transfer to another airport
How many airports are in Istanbul
- The main airport in Istanbul and Turkey is the New Istanbul Airport (IST) located approximately 40 km from the city centre, northwest of Istanbul.
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is primarily used by low-cost airlines and is located on the outskirts of the Asian part of Istanbul.
- Ataturk Airport is no longer operational.
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Istanbul airports in one table (name, codes, taxi, and hotels)
| Airport | Istanbul Airport | Sabiha Goksen Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Local Name | İstanbul Havalimanı | Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı |
| Code IATA | IST | SAW |
| Taxi transfers to/from hotels in Istanbul | find a taxi transfer | find a taxi transfer |
| Hotels in the airport |
Taxi transfer from IST to SAW or vice versa
All Istanbul Airports on the Map
The new Istanbul Airport has grown outside the city, on the Black Sea coast, and is approximately 40 km from the historical centre of Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen Budget Airport is on the outskirts of the Asian part of Istanbul.
Transportation options from Istanbul airports to the city center
If you need to get from either airport to the city centre, there are several transportation options available, including buses, taxis, and the metro.
From the New Istanbul Airport to the city centre can be reached:
- by metro,
- by buses,
- by airport taxi,
- or by a taxi transfer with fixed price.
More details can be found in the article How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City.
The metro line from the New Istanbul Airport to Istanbul was launched on January 21, 2023.
However, it does not go directly to the city centre. Instead, you can transfer to the M7 line at Kağıthane station, which also does not go directly to the city centre.
To reach the city centre, you will need to take the M2 metro line or the T1 tram.
Tip: For a quick and easy transfer from the airport to your hotel in Istanbul, consider booking a taxi.
If you plan to take the metro from the airport, use an Istanbulkart to save money on public transport fares. Check out this guide on how to pay for public transport in Istanbul for more information.
If you are travelling to Sabiha Gökçen Airport, you can take
- the M4 metro line running between Kadıkoy and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- public buses or Havaist Shuttle buses to/from Taxim and Kadıkoy,
- airport metered taxis,
- or a taxi transfer with a fixed price.
Hotels in and around Istanbul airports
There are two hotels in Istanbul Airport (IST):
- YotelAir Hotel in the transit area for passengers with international connecting flights,
- Yotel Hotel in the check-in area for domestic flights.
Hotels nearby Istanbul Airport (IST)
Sabiha Gökcen Airport hotels:
- ISG Sabiha Gökcen Airport Hotel is the closest hotel to the airport,
- Kepler Club Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel is located in the International Transit Area.
How to determine the arrival airport for a specific flight
To find out which airport your flight will arrive at, check your ticket or itinerary.
If the destination is Istanbul (IST) or New Istanbul Airport (IST), your flight will arrive at Istanbul Airport.
Find cheap flights to Istanbul
If the destination is Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) or Istanbul (SAW), your flight will arrive at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
If the destination is Istanbul (IST) or New Istanbul Airport (IST), your flight will arrive at Istanbul Airport.
You can use Trip.com to find affordable flights to Istanbul. Make sure to check which airport you'll be arriving at Sabiha Airport (SAW) or Istanbul Airport (IST).
Connecting flights in Istanbul with a transfer to another airport
Istanbul has two airports, and some connecting flights require passengers to change airports during their layover.
If you have a connecting flight in Istanbul and need to change airports, plan for at least 1.5 hours for the transfer, plus additional time for all airport procedures at each airport.
Keep in mind that Istanbul is a large city, so traffic can be heavy, and unexpected delays can happen.
You can find detailed information on how to transfer between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) in the article How to get from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
