Getting from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Istanbul city center is easier than most travellers expect. There are two main public transport options — the İETT public bus and HAVABUS airport coach — plus taxis for door-to-door service.
Location: Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), Pendik, Istanbul, Türkiye. All fares are per person and current as of April 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Destination | Price | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| İETT E-10 | Kadıköy | 84 TRY | ~60 min |
| İETT E-3 | 4.Levent Metro | 126 TRY | ~90 min |
| HAVABUS | Kadıköy | 270 TRY | ~60 min |
| HAVABUS | Taksim (direct) | 440 TRY | ~90 min |
| HAVABUS | Sakarya / Adapazarı | 500 TRY | ~120 min |
| Taxi | Kadıköy | ~1,285 TRY | ~30–45 min |
| Taxi | Taksim | ~2,026 TRY | ~45–60 min |
Option 1 — İETT Public Bus (Cheapest)
The İETT public bus is the cheapest way to get from SAW to Istanbul. Two lines operate from the bus stop directly outside the arrivals exit:
E-10 to Kadıköy — This is the most popular route for budget travellers heading to the Asian side. The bus runs to Kadıköy in around 60 minutes and costs 84 TRY (2 İstanbulkart credits at 42 TRY each). From Kadıköy you can connect to the M4 metro for further destinations.
SG-1 to Kadıköy (night service) — If you land late at night, the İETT SG-1 line covers the same SAW–Kadıköy route with 4 overnight departures from SAW: 23:40, 01:05, 02:25 and 03:30. The fare is the same 84 TRY with İstanbulkart. Note that SG-1 does not run on Saturdays — on Saturday nights take HAVABUS instead.
E-3 to 4.Levent Metro — For travellers heading to the European side (Beşiktaş, Şişli, Levent), the E-3 line runs to 4.Levent in around 90 minutes and costs 126 TRY (3 İstanbulkart credits). At 4.Levent you transfer to the M2 metro, which connects to Taksim, Şişhane and Kabataş.
How to Buy an İstanbulkart
You can buy and top up an İstanbulkart from the yellow vending machines inside the terminal building. The card itself costs 70 TRY; you can load as little as 100 TRY onto it. İstanbulkart gives you the cheapest per-ride fare and works on all İETT buses, metro, tram, and Marmaray.
Option 2 — HAVABUS Airport Coach (Most Comfortable)
HAVABUS runs dedicated airport coaches from SAW with no standing passengers and guaranteed seats. Buses depart from the coach stop outside arrivals and run around the clock.
SAW to Taksim (direct) — HAVABUS operates a direct coach from Sabiha Gökçen to Taksim Square in approximately 90 minutes. The fare is 440 TRY per adult. This is the best option for travellers staying in Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş or anywhere on the European side who want a no-transfer journey.
SAW to Kadıköy — The Kadıköy service takes about 60 minutes and costs 270 TRY. Useful if you're heading to the Asian side or want to connect to the Kadıköy ferry pier.
SAW to Sakarya (Adapazarı) — HAVABUS also runs an intercity route to Sakarya in around 2 hours for 500 TRY.
Tickets can be purchased on board by card or cash. No advance booking is required.
Option 3 — Taxi
Taxis are available 24 hours outside the arrivals hall. All official airport taxis use a meter; there are no fixed airport surcharges in Istanbul.
Estimated metered fares from SAW:
| Destination | Distance | Estimated Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Kadıköy | 28 km | ~1,285 TRY |
| Taksim | 45 km | ~2,026 TRY |
| Üsküdar | 35 km | ~1,590 TRY |
| Ataşehir | 20 km | ~937 TRY |
| Pendik | 8 km | ~414 TRY |
| Beşiktaş | 42 km | ~1,895 TRY |
Taxis are best for groups of 3–4 sharing the fare, late-night arrivals with heavy luggage, or if you have a very early connection.
Which Option Is Best for You?
Choose İETT E-10 if you are travelling solo or as a couple on a budget and heading to Kadıköy or anywhere connected by the M4 metro.
Choose İETT E-3 if you need to reach the M2 metro corridor (Levent, Şişli, Taksim) and want the cheapest possible fare.
Choose HAVABUS to Taksim if you are heading to the European side and want a direct, comfortable journey without transfers — especially with heavy luggage.
Choose a taxi if you are travelling in a group of 3–4, arriving late at night, or heading to a destination not well served by bus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take from SAW to Taksim? HAVABUS direct takes approximately 90 minutes. Via İETT E-3 to 4.Levent plus M2 metro, allow around 2 hours in total.
Is there a direct bus from SAW to Taksim? Yes. HAVABUS runs a direct coach from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Taksim Square for 440 TRY, departing regularly throughout the day and night.
What is the cheapest way from SAW to Istanbul? The İETT E-10 public bus to Kadıköy costs 84 TRY with an İstanbulkart and takes around 60 minutes. For Taksim and the European side, İETT E-3 to 4.Levent costs 126 TRY.
Do I need to book in advance? No advance booking is needed for either İETT or HAVABUS. Simply board at the stop outside arrivals. For taxis, join the rank at the designated taxi area.
