IST vs SAW: which Istanbul airport should you use?
Istanbul has two international airports on opposite shores of the Bosphorus. This is not a minor detail — choosing the wrong airport (or not checking which airport your airline uses) can mean a 60–90 minute longer transfer across the city. Here is the honest guide.
The fundamental difference
Istanbul Airport (IST): The main hub, on the European side. Opened 2019, replaced Atatürk. All major international carriers. Turkish Airlines hub. Approximately 50–60 km northwest of Sultanahmet.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW): On the Asian side of Istanbul, approximately 55 km southeast of Sultanahmet. Primary base for Pegasus Airlines and several budget European carriers (Ryanair routes, easyJet on some routes). Some Turkish Airlines domestic and limited international operations.
The critical point: if you land at SAW and your hotel is in Sultanahmet, you are on the wrong side of the Bosphorus. The most direct route involves either a metro + Marmaray combination, a bus + ferry, or a taxi across a Bosphorus bridge — all of which add substantial time and cost.
Travelling from IST to the city
Metro M11: The direct line from Istanbul Airport to Gayrettepe station, from which you connect to the M2 and then T1 tram to Sultanahmet. Total journey approximately 70–80 minutes depending on connections, cost approximately 50–70 TRY on the Istanbulkart (mid-2025, verify). The most reliable option.
HAVAIST bus: Express airport buses run to multiple city destinations including Taksim, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy (the last via bridge). Roughly 60–90 minutes to central destinations. Cost approximately 100–130 TRY (verify). Baggage-friendly.
Private transfer: Fixed-price transfers from IST to Sultanahmet typically cost 500–800 TRY (approximately 15–24 USD at mid-2025 rates — verify). Useful for late arrivals, group travel, or heavy luggage.
Taxi: Officially metered but subject to the manipulation issues covered in the scams guide. App-based services (BiTaksi/Uber) give price transparency. Expect 400–600 TRY to Sultanahmet at normal traffic, more in rush hour.
For the full transfer breakdown: IST airport to city centre guide.
Travelling from SAW to the city
HAVABUS: The dedicated bus service runs from SAW to Kadıköy (Asian side) and Taksim (European side, via bridge). Journey to Taksim: 90–120 minutes depending on traffic. Cost approximately 80–100 TRY (verify).
Metro + Marmaray: Bus from SAW to Sabiha Gökçen Metro (M4), train to Ayrılıkçeşmesi, Marmaray to Üsküdar or Sirkeci. Possible but involves multiple changes; journey time to Sultanahmet area approximately 75–90 minutes on a good day.
Private transfer: Fixed transfers from SAW to Sultanahmet cost more than from IST due to the bridge crossing and distance — typically 700–1,000 TRY or more (verify). Booking in advance is advisable.
Taxi: Bridge crossing and distance make taxis from SAW expensive. A taxi from SAW to Sultanahmet in normal traffic runs 500–800 TRY and can exceed 1,000 TRY in peak hour. The Bosphorus bridge tolls are added on top.
Full details: SAW airport to city centre guide.
Which airlines use which airport?
IST (Istanbul Airport):
- Turkish Airlines (all routes)
- Most major European carriers (Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, etc.)
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, Gulf carriers
- Most North American, Asian, and other long-haul carriers
SAW (Sabiha Gökçen):
- Pegasus Airlines (Turkish low-cost carrier — extensive domestic and European network)
- AtlasGlobal (check current status)
- Some Ryanair routes
- Various charter carriers
The issue arises most frequently with domestic connections: a traveller flying into Istanbul on a major carrier (landing at IST) who books an onward domestic flight on Pegasus (departing from SAW) has booked what is effectively a cross-city connection. Allow at minimum 4 hours between connections if they are on opposite airports — more is safer.
For domestic connections to Cappadocia, Izmir, or Antalya
Both airports serve major domestic routes. Turkish Airlines Cappadocia flights from IST fly to both Nevşehir (NAV) and Kayseri (ASR). Pegasus serves these from SAW. Check which airport your specific flight departs from and plan accordingly.
If you are making a combined Istanbul + Cappadocia trip, keeping all flights on Turkish Airlines through IST is simpler and avoids the cross-city connection problem. Our Istanbul and Cappadocia 5-day itinerary uses this approach.
The time and cost comparison (rough guide, mid-2025)
| Route | Mode | Time | Cost (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IST → Sultanahmet | Metro M11 + tram | 75–90 min | ~60 TRY |
| IST → Sultanahmet | Private transfer | 60–80 min | 500–800 TRY |
| SAW → Sultanahmet | HAVABUS + ferry | 90–120 min | ~120 TRY |
| SAW → Sultanahmet | Private transfer | 80–100 min | 800–1,100 TRY |
Traffic adds 30–60 minutes on any road option during peak hours (7–9 am, 5–8 pm weekdays).
Frequently asked questions about Istanbul airports
Which Istanbul airport is better?
For most international visitors, IST is preferable — better connection to the city centre via metro, used by the major carriers, and the newer infrastructure. SAW is fine if your flight is there, but understand the longer transfer.
Can I get the metro directly from IST to Sultanahmet?
Not quite directly — you take M11 to Gayrettepe, change to M2, ride to Vezneciler, then a short walk or connect to the T1 tram. Or M11 to Gayrettepe, M2 to Kabataş, T1 tram to Sultanahmet. Approximately 70–80 minutes and several changes. It works; it is not as simple as a single-line trip.
How much does a taxi from IST airport cost?
In theory, the metered fare to Sultanahmet is approximately 400–600 TRY. In practice, unmetered or manipulated fares are common from airports. Using a pre-booked private transfer or an app-based service removes the uncertainty.
Is there a ferry connection from SAW?
Not directly from SAW. You take a bus to the Kadıköy ferry terminal (approximately 40–60 minutes by HAVABUS), then the ferry to Eminönü (approximately 25 minutes). This is a workable route if your accommodation is near Eminönü or Karaköy.