About Sabiha Gokcen International Airport

Sabiha Gökçen Airport, located in the Pendik district on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's and Turkey's first female combat pilot. The airport, which became operational in 2001, increased its passenger capacity with the addition of a new terminal building in 2009.

As of 2022, Sabiha Gökçen Airport serves approximately 35 million passengers annually, hosting both domestic and international flights.

Transportation to the airport is available from many points in Istanbul. In particular, bus and shared taxi routes from Taksim and Kadikoy provide regular services to the airport. In addition, there is a large parking area for private vehicles.

The amenities offered by Sabiha Gökçen Airport to passengers are quite varied. The airport houses a large duty-free shop, along with a multitude of stores offering products from various brands. Also, the airport hosts an array of restaurants and cafes. VIP lounges, baby care rooms, free Wi-Fi, and charging stations are also provided for passengers. These amenities are designed to make travelers' journeys a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Transportation from City Center to Airport

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Sabiha Gokcen International Airport

Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is in close proximity to many key points of the city, such as 40 km from Kadıköy and 50 km from Taksim.

Thanks to the TEM Highway, it is easily accessible from various parts of Istanbul and neighboring cities. In addition to public transportation options like the metro, municipal buses, and HAVAIST service, you can also reach the airport using individual choices like taxis, private transfers, or rental cars.

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Airport Buses

Havabüs service is an ideal option for comfortable and quick transportation to Sabiha Gökçen Airport. This service operates from three main departure points: Taksim, Kadıköy, and Yenisahra. In Taksim, it departs from in front of Point Hotel opposite Divan Hotel, in Kadıköy from in front of the İETT bus stops on the pier, and in Yenisahra from the Yenisahra metro station.

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Bus

Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport can be accessed through various transportation options from different parts of the city. The IETT bus routes provide a means for travelers from many areas of Istanbul to reach the airport directly or with transfers. Particularly for those wishing to travel from the city center and its surrounding regions to the airport, these bus routes stand out as a practical and economical choice.

IETT bus routes:

  • 122H – 4.Levent – Yenişehir – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • 130H – Naval Academy (Tuzla) – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • 132H – Pendik YHT – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • 16S – Uzunçayır Metrobus – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • E3 – 4. Levent Metro – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • E9 – Bostancı – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • E10 – Kadıköy – Kurtköy – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • E11 – Kadıköy – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • MR60 – Pendik/Pendik YTH – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • SG1 – Kadıköy – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • SG2 – Taksim – Sabiha Gökçen Airport
  • UM73 – Sabiha Gökçen Airport – Sultanbeyli Necip Fazıl Metro
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Minibus

Using a minibus to reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport from the city center is another viable transportation method. On the Anatolian side, from Kadıköy to Pendik, minibuses that travel the minibus route are available every minute, ensuring frequent transportation options.

Once you reach the final stop in Pendik, you can then transfer to İETT's E-9 and MR60 lines to continue your journey to the airport. If you prefer not to use public transport after reaching Pendik by minibus, you have the option to quickly reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport by taking a taxi from Pendik's central area. This provides an efficient, albeit potentially more costly, alternative to reach the airport from the city center.

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Metro

Sabiha Gökçen Airport is a crucial transportation hub located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. To reach this airport, you can easily take the M4 Kadıköy-Sabiha Gökçen Airport metro line.

The route of the M4 metro line is as follows: Kadıköy, Ayrılık Çeşmesi, Acıbadem, Ünalan, Göztepe, Yenisahra, Kozyatağı, Bostancı, Küçükyalı, Maltepe, Huzurevi, Gülsuyu, Esenkent, Hastane-Adliye, Soğanlık, Kartal, Yakacık-Adnan Kahveci, Pendik, Tavşantepe, Fevzi Çakmak-Hastane, Yayalar-Şeyhli, Kurtköy, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport. By traveling on this line, you can easily and swiftly access Sabiha Gökçen Airport from the Anatolian side of Istanbul.

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Car Rental

Traveling to Sabiha Gökçen Airport with a rental car offers flexibility and independence. Starting from the city center, by following the main roads, you can easily reach the airport. This method can be particularly practical for larger groups or if you have a lot of luggage.

If you're coming from the Anatolian side, you can directly access the airport by following the E80 highway. If you're coming from the European side, you can cross over to the Anatolian side via the Bosphorus Bridge or the Avrasya Tunnel, then again use the E80 highway to get to the airport. This approach can vary depending on traffic conditions; therefore, it's recommended to check the route's congestion before your journey.

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Private Car

Reaching Sabiha Gökçen Airport from the city center with your private vehicle is quite straightforward. The airport is 50 km from Taksim, 40 km from Kadıköy, and 12 km from Pendik. You can easily access this airport using the coastal road, E5, and TEM highway routes.

If you're planning to leave your car at the airport, you can take advantage of parking facilities provided by İspark and Pendik Municipality outside the airport. After parking in these lots, you can use free shuttle services to directly reach the airport terminal.

Sabiha Gökçen Airport hosts a multi-story car park with a capacity for 4,718 cars and 72 buses. In the parking lot, there's also a paid valet service available, allowing you to avoid the hassle of searching for a parking spot.

Moreover, around the airport, there are private parking options like IstPark, Havapark, Jetpark, Sözmenpark, and Avrasya Otopark. These parking lots offer comfortable transportation to the airport with their free shuttle services.

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Transfer

Using a private transfer option to reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport is an ideal method for those who seek comfort and customization. This type of service has gained popularity in recent years and is also referred to as "Private Shuttles".

Especially for large groups, families with children, and travelers with a lot of luggage, choosing private transfers over public transportation can provide a more relaxing experience. With this service, you are picked up from your desired location and taken to the airport, eliminating the hassles of waiting or making transfers.

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Taxi

Another method to reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport is by taxi. Especially if there's no nearby transportation option or if you need to get to the airport quickly, taking a taxi can be a comfortable choice. With the advantages of modern technology, you can estimate the taxi fare from your location to the airport in advance and check the route's congestion.

Taxi rides from the European side can be costly; hence, it's generally more economical to take a taxi to the airport from places on the Anatolian side, such as Kartal or Maltepe.

Transportation from Airport to City Center

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Sabiha Gokcen International Airport

Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located in the Pendik Kurtköy region of Istanbul, serving as a modern air transportation hub on the Asian side of the city. This airport is 12 km to Pendik, 40 km to Kadıköy, and 50 km to Taksim. Its direct connection to the TEM highway offers easy access for travelers.

Traveling from the airport to the city center is quite practical. Especially, buses operated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the popular HAVABUS services run regularly in line with flight landing schedules. These buses offer passengers an economical and swift option, easing the transportation to main centers like Kadıköy and Taksim.

Moreover, from 2021 onwards, there is also an option to travel from Sabiha Gökçen to Kadıköy via the M4 metro line, and to Sultanahmet from Ayrılık Çeşmesi through the Metrobus (Ünalan) and Marmaray. This new mode of transportation provides a fast and comfortable alternative, making it a preferred choice for many travelers.

Of course, taxis operate 24/7, allowing passengers to quickly reach their hotels or other desired locations directly. For those with a lot of luggage or wishing to travel to tourist areas like Sultanahmet, there are private transfer companies available within the airport offering their services.

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Airport Buses

Reaching the city center from Sabiha Gökçen Airport using the HAVABÜS service is quite convenient. Services are provided on three distinct routes: Kadıköy, Yenisahra, and Taksim.

The Sabiha Gökçen - Taksim route departs from Sabiha Gökçen and passes through Kavacık, FSM Bridge, 1. Levent, Zincirlikuyu Metrobüs, and Dolapdere before arriving in Taksim. This journey typically takes about an hour and a half, but this can vary depending on traffic conditions.

For the Kadıköy route, the HAVABÜS departs from Sabiha Gökçen and reaches Kadıköy via the TEM Connection Road and Yeni Sahra. These trips usually last about an hour. Additionally, buses departing from Kadıköy also pass through the Yenisahra Metro Station, with this leg of the journey taking approximately 45 minutes.

For up-to-date information on stops, departure times, and other details, you can visit the havabus.com website.

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Bus

Sabiha Gökçen Airport is strategically located on the Asian side of Istanbul and provides easy access to the city center and important areas. With the IETT buses departing from the airport, you can easily reach central points such as Kadıköy, 4. Levent, Bostancı, Uzunçayır metrobus line, Pendik YHT station, and Sultanbeyli/Necip Fazıl Metro station. The "Istanbul Card" offers great convenience for public transport use in Istanbul. You can obtain this card at the airport or at refill points in the city center and use it for all public transportation vehicles. With the mobile application of Istanbul Card, it's quite easy to access route and time information.

All buses departing from the airport take off from the opposite side of the arrivals floor exit. Due to traffic congestion, travel times may vary, so it's advisable to adjust your plans accordingly. Additionally, for more detailed information and bus departure times, you can visit the official website of IETT.

Bus Lines:

  • Towards Kadıköy: Buses E10 and E11 operate from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy. From Kadıköy, you can take a ferry or boat to Eminönü, Karaköy, and Kabataş.

  • Towards 4. Levent: With bus line E3, you can easily reach 4. Levent from Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

  • Towards Bostancı: Bus E9 operates from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Bostancı.

  • Metrobus Connection: With the 16S bus line, you can transfer to the Uzunçayır metrobus line and from there access other areas of the city by metrobus.

  • Towards Pendik: Buses MR60 and 132H serve from the airport to Pendik YHT station.

  • Towards Sultanbeyli: With bus number 131C, you can reach the Sultanbeyli/Necip Fazıl Metro station.

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Metro

Reaching the city center from Sabiha Gökçen via the M4 Kadıköy-Sabiha Gökçen Airport Metro Line is quite straightforward. This line starts from Sabiha Gökçen Airport and sequentially stops at Kurtköy, Yayalar-Şeyhli, Fevzi Çakmak-Hospital, Tavşantepe, Pendik, Yakacık-Adnan Kahveci, Kartal, Soğanlık, Hospital-Court, Esenkent, Gülsuyu, Retirement Home, Maltepe, Küçükyalı, Bostancı, Kozyatağı, Yenisahra, Göztepe, Ünalan, Acıbadem, Ayrılık Çeşmesi, and finally ends at Kadıköy.

Thanks to this metro line, one can have a fast and comfortable journey between the airport and the city center, and by making connections in Kadıköy, you can reach different parts of Istanbul.

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Car Rental

In Istanbul's bustling traffic, renting a car is a great option to move around the city with ease. Especially for extended stays, you can experience the comfort of traveling in your own vehicle.

Sabiha Gökçen Airport hosts a variety of local and international car rental agencies to cater to passengers' needs, allowing them to choose the most suitable vehicle. These rental offices are located in the terminal's arrival floor and operate 24/7. To find the best fit for your needs, you can compare services by visiting the websites of well-known car rental companies like Avec Car Rental, Avro Rent a Car, and Avis, as well as local providers, and make your reservation online.

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Transfer

Opting for a private transfer service from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to the city offers both a speedy and comfortable travel experience. Compared to public transportation or other transit options, this method allows direct transit to your desired location without waiting at the airport. If you have a lot of luggage, a private transfer presents a significant advantage, as you can directly get into your vehicle and proceed.

You can easily book your transfer online before even arriving at the airport. With such a reservation, a driver will greet you with your name upon arrival. Some of the private transfer companies operating at Sabiha Gökçen include Progo, Mesa Tour, Yume Turizm, Aden VIP Transfer, VIP Vito Transfer, HRH Lucky Turizm, Transfer 212, and Fansa Turizm. You can choose the company that best fits your needs to ensure a comfortable journey.

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Taxi

Taking a taxi from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to the city center is a convenient option for passengers. Once your plane lands, you can easily find taxis at the terminal exit ready to take you directly to the city center or your hotel. Especially when traveling to tourist areas, taxis stand out as a reliable mode of transportation. These taxis are operated by the Sabiha Gökçen Airport Transportation and Operating Cooperative (SawKoop) and provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The airport offers passengers three different types of taxis: yellow (economical), turquoise (comfort), and black (luxury class). Due to their affordability, yellow taxis are frequently chosen by many travelers. Although each type of taxi has its own unique pricing, there's no distinction between day and night rates for any route. For route and pricing information regarding Sabiha Gökçen Airport taxis, you can visit the official SawKoop website or call +90 216 304 41 27 for detailed information.

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