Istanbul has two international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side. If you have a choice of flights, picking the right airport can save you significant time and money getting into the city.
This guide is current as of April 2026.
The Short Answer
- Stay in Taksim, Beyoğlu, Şişli or Beşiktaş? → Choose IST
- Stay in Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Bağdat Avenue or the Asian side? → Choose SAW
- Visiting Sultanahmet? → Either works; IST is slightly easier
- Flying budget airlines (Pegasus)? → Usually SAW
- Flying Turkish Airlines or other full-service carriers? → Usually IST
At a Glance
| Istanbul Airport (IST) | Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Side of city | European | Asian |
| Distance to Taksim | 45 km | 55 km |
| Distance to Kadıköy | 55 km | 25 km |
| Main airlines | Turkish Airlines, all major carriers | Pegasus, SunExpress, low-cost |
| Metro connection | Yes, M11 direct | Yes, M4 direct |
| Transport to Kadıköy | HAVAİST HVL-6 (515 TRY, 120 min) | M4 metro (46.20 TRY, 52 min) |
| Transport to Taksim | M11 + M2 (101.20 TRY, 55 min) | M4 + ferry + F1 (138.60 TRY, 85 min) |
| Annual capacity | 90 million passengers | 35 million passengers |
| Terminal size | Very large | Mid-size |
Location
IST opened in 2019 and sits 35 km northwest of Taksim in the Arnavutköy district. It's closer to the European half of the city, Taksim, Şişli, Beyoğlu, Bakırköy, and further from Asian-side destinations like Kadıköy or Üsküdar.
SAW sits in Pendik on the Asian side, about 25 km from Kadıköy and 55 km from Taksim. It's the obvious choice if you're staying on the Asian side, but requires a Bosphorus crossing for European destinations.
Airlines & Routes
IST is the main hub for Turkish Airlines and handles almost every major international carrier. If you're flying with a legacy airline on a full-service ticket, you will almost certainly land at IST.
SAW is the base for Pegasus Airlines and handles most low-cost operations, including Wizz Air, easyJet and a range of charter flights. European budget routes and many domestic Pegasus services use SAW exclusively.
For domestic travel within Turkey: both airports offer extensive coverage, but Pegasus's network from SAW is broad and often cheaper.
Public Transport
From IST
IST has a direct metro connection: the M11 line runs from the terminal to Gayrettepe on the M2 line, getting you to Taksim in around 55 minutes for approximately 101.20 TRY at the current full fare.
For the Asian side from IST, HAVAİST HVL-6 runs directly to Kadıköy (515 TRY, listed 120 minutes). Metro connections are cheaper but require transfers.
From SAW
SAW has a direct M4 metro connection. The line runs from the airport terminal to Kadıköy in 52 minutes for 46.20 TRY, about every 5 minutes during peak hours. Normal published operating hours are 06:00–midnight; check Metro Istanbul for Night Metro service on your travel date. This makes SAW's Asian-side connection cheaper than IST's M11 plus M2 fare to Taksim.
Getting to the European side still requires crossing the Bosphorus. The cheapest route is M4 to Kadıköy then ferry to Kabataş/Eminönü (138.60 TRY total). HAVABUS to Taksim (485 TRY, 90 min) is available for those who prefer a direct coach.
Journey Times to Key Destinations
| Destination | From IST | From SAW |
|---|---|---|
| Taksim | 55 min (metro) / 45 min (taxi) | 90 min (HAVABUS) / 50 min (taxi) |
| Kadıköy | 120 min (HAVAİST) / 55 min (taxi) | 52 min (M4 metro) / 35 min (taxi) |
| Sultanahmet | 70 min (M11 + M2 + tram) / 55 min (taxi) | 90 min (bus + ferry) / 50 min (taxi) |
| Beşiktaş | 65 min (metro + walk) | 80 min (HAVABUS + ferry) |
| Üsküdar | 100 min (metro + ferry) | 45 min (bus + ferry) |
Taxi Costs
| Route | From IST | From SAW |
|---|---|---|
| → Taksim | 2,200–2,400 TRY | 2,000–2,200 TRY |
| → Kadıköy | 2,000–2,200 TRY | 1,200–1,400 TRY |
| → Sultanahmet | 2,200–2,400 TRY | 1,500–1,700 TRY |
| → Beşiktaş | 2,000–2,200 TRY | 1,800–2,100 TRY |
Which to Choose?
Choose IST if:
- You're flying Turkish Airlines or another full-service carrier (you may not have a choice)
- Your hotel or accommodation is on the European side (Taksim, Şişli, Beyoğlu, Fatih, Beşiktaş)
- You want the fastest, cheapest public transport into the city (M11 metro)
- You want a larger terminal with more facilities
Choose SAW if:
- You're booking a budget airline, especially Pegasus
- You're staying on the Asian side (Kadıköy, Moda, Üsküdar, Bostancı, Bağdat Avenue)
- The fare difference justifies the slightly longer journey to European destinations
- You want proximity to Asian-side attractions without crossing the Bosphorus
In practice, the choice is usually made for you by the airline. If both airports are available, match the airport to your accommodation side of the city, that single decision can save you an hour and significant taxi or transport costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IST or SAW closer to the city center? It depends on which side. IST is closer to European-side neighborhoods like Taksim (45 km). SAW is closer to Asian-side areas like Kadıköy (25 km). Neither is dramatically closer to Sultanahmet.
Which airport has better public transport? Both now have direct metro connections. IST's M11 plus M2 gets you to Taksim in about 55 minutes for approximately 101.20 TRY. SAW's M4 gets you to Kadıköy in 52 minutes for 46.20 TRY. The advantage depends on your destination: M11 for the European side, M4 for the Asian side.
Is SAW really a budget airport? SAW handles a higher proportion of low-cost carriers but has modern terminals, decent food options and standard international airport facilities. The "budget" label refers to the airlines, not the airport experience.
Can I get from one Istanbul airport to the other? Yes, but the journey is long, typically 90 minutes to 2+ hours by HAVABUS depending on traffic, and expensive by taxi (3,000+ TRY). Don't plan a same-day switch between airports.
More Transport Guides
From Istanbul Airport (IST):
From Sabiha Gökçen (SAW):
