Landing at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) late at night? You have solid options. The M4 metro runs until midnight (00:00) every night — and on Friday and Saturday nights it operates 24 hours, making it the best option for late Fri/Sat arrivals. After midnight on other nights, HAVABUS coaches and taxis cover all destinations around the clock.
This guide covers arrivals between approximately 23:00 and 06:00. All times and fares are current as of April 2026.
Your Options After Midnight
| Option | Destination | Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4 Metro | Kadıköy | 42 TRY | Until 00:00 nightly; 24h Fri & Sat |
| HAVABUS | Taksim | 440 TRY | Every 60 min, 24/7 |
| HAVABUS | Kadıköy | 270 TRY | Every 60 min, 24/7 |
| İETT SG-1 | Kadıköy | 84 TRY | 4 fixed departures; NOT Sat nights |
| Taxi | Anywhere | ~1,285–2,026+ TRY | 24/7, no night surcharge |
Option 0 — M4 Metro (Best for Fri & Sat Night Arrivals)
The M4 metro is the cheapest and most reliable option if you land before midnight — or if you arrive on Friday or Saturday night, when it runs 24 hours.
Fare: 42 TRY | Journey to Kadıköy: 52 min | Frequency: Every 5 min (peak), less frequent late night
Hours: 06:00–00:00 Mon–Thu & Sun | 24 hours Fri & Sat
If your flight lands at 23:30 on a Friday, the M4 is still running — and will keep running all night. That's a 42 TRY metro ride to Kadıköy instead of a 270 TRY HAVABUS.
Option 1 — HAVABUS Night Coaches (Most Reliable)
HAVABUS is the backbone of late-night transport from SAW. Coaches run to both Taksim (440 TRY) and Kadıköy (270 TRY) throughout the night, typically every 60 minutes after around 22:00.
Why choose HAVABUS at night:
- Guaranteed seat — no standing passengers
- Luggage goes in the undercarriage hold
- Consistent schedule with no surprises
- Runs every night including Saturdays and Sundays
Where to board: Follow HAVABUS signs from the arrivals hall to the Ground Floor Bus Terminal. Pay the driver by card or cash.
Note on journey time at night: Late-night traffic is much lighter, so the Taksim route often takes 60–70 minutes rather than the usual 90.
Option 2 — İETT SG-1 Night Bus to Kadıköy (Cheapest, Asian Side)
If you're heading to Kadıköy or anywhere on the Asian side, the İETT SG-1 is the budget option — just 84 TRY with İstanbulkart.
SAW → Kadıköy night departures:
| Departure from SAW | Approximate Arrival Kadıköy |
|---|---|
| 23:40 | 00:40 |
| 01:05 | 02:05 |
| 02:25 | 03:25 |
| 03:30 | 04:30 |
⚠️ Saturday night exception: The SG-1 does not operate on Saturday nights (for Sunday morning arrivals). If your flight lands between Saturday 23:00 and Sunday 06:00, take HAVABUS or a taxi instead.
After 04:30: There is a gap in SG-1 service before the daytime E-10 resumes around 06:00. If you land between 04:30 and 06:00 and SG-1 has passed, HAVABUS or taxi are your only options.
Option 3 — Taxi
Taxis are available 24/7 at the official rank outside arrivals. There is no night surcharge at SAW — the meter runs at the same rate day and night.
Late-night advantages of taxi:
- Fastest option door-to-door
- No fixed bus schedule to hit
- Practical for destinations off the bus routes
Estimated late-night fares (same as daytime):
| Destination | Estimated Fare |
|---|---|
| Kadıköy | ~1,285 TRY |
| Taksim | ~2,026 TRY |
| Üsküdar | ~1,590 TRY |
| Beşiktaş | ~1,895 TRY |
Use the official rank and insist on the meter. Late-night taxi availability is generally very good at SAW.
Night Transport by Destination
Heading to Kadıköy or the Asian side
Best option: İETT SG-1 (84 TRY) if the schedule works, otherwise HAVABUS (270 TRY). Taxi (~1,285 TRY) if you need door-to-door.
Heading to Taksim or the European side
Best option: HAVABUS direct (440 TRY). Taxi (~2,026 TRY) if you have heavy luggage or a group.
Heading to Sultanahmet
No direct overnight service. Options: HAVABUS to Taksim (440 TRY) + taxi from Taksim to Sultanahmet (~200 TRY), or direct taxi (~1,500–1,700 TRY including bridge toll).
Heading to hotels near SAW (Pendik, Kartal)
Taxi is the only practical option for late-night arrivals to suburban Asian-side destinations. Short trips cost 400–850 TRY.
Planning Tips for Night Arrivals
Check the SG-1 schedule before you land. If your flight arrives between 01:30 and 03:00, the 01:05 SG-1 will have gone — your next bus is at 02:25. A 55-minute wait is worth knowing about.
Budget extra time for connections. If you're catching a ferry or night Marmaray from Kadıköy, verify the last departure times before relying on a 02:00 bus arrival.
Saturdays are the exception. SG-1 doesn't run Saturday nights. If your regular routine uses SG-1, plan for HAVABUS or taxi on Saturday arrivals.
HAVABUS or taxi for peace of mind. For late arrivals with heavy bags, tired kids, or time pressure, HAVABUS or taxi remove all the guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a bus from SAW after midnight? Yes. HAVABUS runs overnight coaches to Taksim (440 TRY) and Kadıköy (270 TRY) approximately every 60 minutes, 24 hours a day. The İETT SG-1 night bus also serves Kadıköy at 23:40, 01:05, 02:25 and 03:30 (not on Saturday nights).
What is the cheapest transport from SAW at night? The İETT SG-1 bus to Kadıköy is 84 TRY — cheapest option if the fixed departure time suits your flight. HAVABUS is 270–440 TRY but runs more frequently.
How much is a taxi from SAW at night? The same as daytime — there is no night surcharge. Expect around 1,285 TRY to Kadıköy and 2,026 TRY to Taksim.
Does the SG-1 night bus run every day? No — the İETT SG-1 runs Monday through Friday nights and Sunday nights, but does not run on Saturday nights.
Is it safe to arrive at SAW at night? Yes. SAW is a modern international terminal that operates 24/7. The official taxi rank and HAVABUS terminal are directly outside arrivals and well lit.
