Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) sits on Istanbul's Asian side in the Pendik district — about 45 km from Taksim and 30 km from Kadıköy. Getting there from the city centre is straightforward once you know which option suits your starting point and budget.
Location: Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), Pendik, Istanbul, Türkiye. All fares current as of April 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Departure Point | Price | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| İETT E-10 | Kadıköy | 84 TRY | ~60 min |
| İETT E-3 | 4.Levent Metro | 126 TRY | ~90 min |
| HAVABUS | Taksim | 440 TRY | ~90 min |
| HAVABUS | Kadıköy | 270 TRY | ~60 min |
| Taxi | Anywhere in Istanbul | ~1,300–2,000 TRY | 30–60 min |
Option 1 — İETT Public Bus (Cheapest)
E-10 from Kadıköy: The most popular budget option for travellers on the Asian side or anyone who can reach Kadıköy by metro (M4) or ferry. Costs 84 TRY with an İstanbulkart (2 credits at 42 TRY each) and takes around 60 minutes. Buses run frequently throughout the day from the Kadıköy bus terminal.
SG-1 from Kadıköy (night service): After midnight, the İETT SG-1 covers the same Kadıköy–SAW route at the same 84 TRY İstanbulkart fare. Departures from Kadıköy to SAW: 01:05, 02:15, 03:45, 04:55. Note: SG-1 does not run on Saturdays — Sunday and weekdays only.
E-3 from 4.Levent Metro: Best for travellers coming from the European side who want the cheapest fare. Take the M2 metro to 4.Levent, then board the E-3. Costs 126 TRY (3 İstanbulkart credits) and takes around 90 minutes to the airport.
Buying an İstanbulkart
Yellow card machines inside the terminal sell İstanbulkart cards (70 TRY card fee) and accept top-ups. The card works on all İETT buses, metro, tram and Marmaray.
Option 2 — HAVABUS Coach (Most Comfortable)
HAVABUS operates direct airport coaches to SAW from two central pick-up points:
Taksim → SAW: Direct coach from Taksim Square to the airport in approximately 90 minutes for 440 TRY. The best option for travellers staying on the European side who want a no-transfer, door-to-airport journey.
Kadıköy → SAW: Around 60 minutes for 270 TRY. More comfortable than İETT with guaranteed seating and more luggage space — a good middle ground between the public bus and a taxi.
Tickets are sold on board by card or cash. No advance booking needed.
Option 3 — Taxi
Taxis from anywhere in Istanbul use a meter; there are no fixed airport surcharges.
| From | Estimated Fare | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kadıköy | ~1,285 TRY | 30–45 min |
| Taksim | ~2,026 TRY | 45–60 min |
| Üsküdar | ~1,590 TRY | 35–50 min |
| Ataşehir | ~937 TRY | 20–30 min |
| Beşiktaş | ~1,895 TRY | 45–60 min |
| Pendik | ~414 TRY | 15–20 min |
Taxis make most sense for groups of 3–4 splitting the fare, early-morning departures, or travellers with heavy luggage.
Where Exactly is Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
SAW is located in the Pendik district on Istanbul's Asian side, just south of the D-100 highway and connected to the TEM motorway via the Sabiha Gökçen junction. GPS coordinates: 40.8983° N, 29.3092° E. By car, follow TEM motorway signs for Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Getting to SAW from the European Side
If you are starting from Taksim, Şişli, Beşiktaş, Bakırköy, or Avcılar, your best routes are:
- HAVABUS Taksim → SAW (440 TRY, ~90 min): The simplest option — no transfers, direct to the terminal.
- M2 Metro → 4.Levent → İETT E-3 → SAW (126 TRY + metro fare): Cheaper but requires two changes.
- Taxi or private transfer: Approximately 1,500–2,000 TRY depending on traffic and distance.
From Bakırköy or Avcılar, you can also take the Metrobüs to Söğütlüçeşme, then the M4 metro to Kadıköy, and finally İETT E-10 to SAW. Total journey time around 2–2.5 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a metro to Sabiha Gökçen Airport? There is no direct metro line to SAW. The M4 metro has a stop named "Sabiha Gökçen" but it is around 3 km from the terminal. From there you would need a further bus connection. A more direct option is the İETT E-10 from Kadıköy or HAVABUS from Taksim.
How do I get to Sabiha Gökçen from Taksim? The easiest way is HAVABUS, which departs from Taksim Square and reaches SAW in approximately 90 minutes for 440 TRY. Alternatively, take the M2 metro to 4.Levent and board İETT E-3 (126 TRY, ~90 min from 4.Levent).
How do I get to Sabiha Gökçen from Kadıköy? İETT E-10 is the best option — 84 TRY with İstanbulkart, around 60 minutes, frequent daytime departures. For night departures, İETT SG-1 runs the same route at the same fare (not on Saturdays). HAVABUS is also available for 270 TRY if you prefer guaranteed seating.
How early should I leave for the airport? Allow at least 2.5 hours before your flight if travelling by public transport from central Istanbul, 2 hours minimum by taxi (accounting for traffic). Istanbul traffic can be unpredictable, especially during rush hours (07:00–09:30 and 17:00–20:00).
