Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) – Location, Transport, Services & Tips (2025)

Sabiha Gökçen Airport SAW serves mainly low-cost and regional flights and is ideal if you’re staying around Kadıköy or Üsküdar. It’s smaller than Istanbul Airport (IST), so it’s often quicker to navigate.

From SAW you can reach central Istanbul using Metro M4, Havabus shuttles, taxis / ride-hailing, or a pre-booked private transfer with door-to-door service.

Use these guides to plan the rest of your Istanbul trip around SAW:

• Istanbul Metro guide »
• Tram T1 for Sultanahmet »
• BiTaksi – taxi app »
• Uber in Turkey »
• Hagia Sophia guide »
• Grand Bazaar shopping »
• Bosphorus cruise guide »
• Istanbul Airport (IST) guide »

Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) lies in the Pendik district on Istanbul’s Asian side, roughly 45 km from Taksim and a bit closer to Kadıköy and Üsküdar.

• Google Maps: Open SAW on map »
• IATA code: SAW

If you’re staying mainly on the Asian side, SAW can be more convenient than IST and may offer cheaper fares with low-cost airlines.

SAW is smaller than Istanbul’s main airport (IST), making it straightforward and relatively quick to use. It’s a base for Pegasus and AnadoluJet, with decent facilities for both short-haul and some medium-haul flights.

Overall impression: 4/5 – efficient, budget-friendly and with easy transport to the Asian side and to Taksim/Kadıköy.

🚇 Metro M4 (Kadıköy ⇄ SAW)

The M4 metro line links Kadıköy directly with SAW, avoiding traffic. It’s ideal if you’re staying on the Asian side or close to Marmaray connections. For a full metro overview, see: Istanbul Metro guide »

🚍 Havabus shuttles

Havabus runs airport buses between SAW and Taksim / Kadıköy, with luggage storage and clear stops.

Timetables: havabus.com »

🚕 Taxis & ride-hailing

Metered taxis are available at the terminal; for more control on pricing and routes you can use: BiTaksi – taxi app » or Uber in Turkey » .

🚘 Private transfer (best with luggage / kids)

For late arrivals, young kids or many bags, a pre-booked private transfer is usually the easiest option: your driver waits with a sign and takes you straight to your hotel in Istanbul.

👉 Book private transfer from SAW »

⏱️ Travel time to Taksim: about 60–90 minutes by road depending on traffic. With Metro + Marmaray/ferry combinations, you can sometimes avoid peak-hour jams.

✅ Free services

• About 1 hour of Wi-Fi (registration required).
• Prayer rooms and quiet areas.
• Family areas and basic kids’ spaces.
• Pharmacy and medical assistance.

💳 Paid services

• Multiple lounges (airline and independent).
• Car parking and valet services.
• Duty-free, cafés and restaurants.
• Nearby airport hotels reachable by short taxi ride or shuttle.

To upgrade your experience (lounges, fast-track, etc.), always check your airline ticket and card benefits first – some premium cards already include lounge access.

• Official website: sabihagokcen.aero »
• Service desks and kiosks inside the terminal.
• Dedicated mobile apps and websites for lounges, parking or other services (operators vary).

• IATA code: SAW
• Location: Pendik, Asian side of Istanbul.
• Distance to Taksim: ~60–90 minutes by car (traffic-dependent).
• Recommended arrival: 3 hours before international flights / 2 hours before domestic flights.
• If you land at IST instead, see: Istanbul Airport (IST) guide »

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