Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)? Compare location, airlines, distance to the city, transport and costs to choose the right airport for your trip.
Quick Answer
Istanbul has two airports. Istanbul Airport (IST) is the large main hub on the European side — most international and long-haul flights land here, and it's closer to the main tourist areas. Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) is the smaller airport on the Asian side, popular with low-cost airlines but farther from the European old city. If you have the choice and you're staying around Sultanahmet or Taksim, IST is usually more convenient.
Location & Distance
- IST sits on the European side, to the northwest, about 40-50 km from the city centre.
- SAW sits on the Asian side, in Pendik, to the southeast — also a long way out, and reaching the European-side tourist areas means crossing the Bosphorus.
If your hotel is in Sultanahmet, Taksim or Besiktas (European side), IST is the more natural fit. If you're staying in Kadikoy or on the Asian side, SAW can be handier.
Airlines
- IST: The hub of Turkish Airlines, with the widest choice of international and long-haul routes.
- SAW: A base for low-cost carriers like Pegasus, with lots of European and domestic flights — often where the cheapest fares appear.
Getting to the City
- From IST: The M11 metro (with a connection), the HAVAIST bus, taxis, and private transfers. By car, roughly 45-60 minutes to the centre in normal traffic.
- From SAW: The M4 metro (toward Kadikoy), the Havabus shuttle, taxis, and private transfers. By car, roughly 60-90 minutes to the European-side centre, since you cross the city.
Cost
Flights into SAW can be cheaper thanks to the low-cost airlines — but factor in the longer, sometimes pricier journey if you're staying on the European side. Sometimes a slightly dearer flight into IST works out easier overall.
Which Should You Choose?
- Staying on the European side (Sultanahmet, Taksim, Besiktas)? → IST is usually more convenient.
- Found a much cheaper flight, or staying on the Asian side (Kadikoy)? → SAW is perfectly fine.
- Flying long-haul or connecting internationally? → You'll most likely use IST anyway.
Either Way, Getting In Is Easy
Both airports are modern and run 24/7, and we provide fixed-price private transfers from both — IST and SAW — straight to your hotel door. Whichever airport your flight uses, you can have a driver waiting at arrivals with your name, so the journey into Istanbul is the easy part of your trip.