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 | No — bus only |
| Transport to Taksim | M11 + M2 (~80 TRY, 55 min) | HAVABUS (~440 TRY, 90 min) |
| Transport to Kadıköy | HAVABUS (~270 TRY, 90 min) | E-10 bus (~84 TRY, 60 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 ~80 TRY. It's the best airport metro link in Istanbul by far.
For the Asian side from IST, there is no direct public transit — the most common route is HAVABUS to Kadıköy (~270 TRY, ~90 min).
From SAW
SAW has no metro. Transport relies on İETT city buses and HAVABUS coaches. The E-10 bus to Kadıköy (84 TRY, ~60 min) is excellent value. Getting to the European side requires crossing the Bosphorus — HAVABUS to Taksim costs 440 TRY and takes ~90 minutes; budget considerably more in rush hour traffic.
Journey Times to Key Destinations
| Destination | From IST | From SAW |
|---|---|---|
| Taksim | 55 min (metro) / 45 min (taxi) | 90 min (HAVABUS) / 50 min (taxi) |
| Kadıköy | 90 min (HAVABUS) / 55 min (taxi) | 60 min (bus) / 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? IST, without question. The M11 metro gives a fast, cheap, traffic-free link to the M2 network and Taksim. SAW relies on buses that are subject to Istanbul's heavy traffic.
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):
