Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) Guide 2026
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is Istanbul's second international airport and the main gateway on the city's Asian side. This complete 2026 guide covers terminal information, airport facilities, airlines, taxi fares, metro connections, airport transfers, nearby hotels, and the best ways to travel between SAW and Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy, Beşiktaş, and other popular destinations. Whether you're arriving, departing, or connecting through Istanbul, this guide helps you plan your journey quickly and confidently.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport
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Everything You Need to Know About Istanbul's Second International Airport
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is Istanbul's second international airport and one of Türkiye's busiest aviation hubs. Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, SAW serves more than 40 million passengers annually and offers flights to hundreds of domestic and international destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.
If you're flying with airlines such as Pegasus Airlines, AJet, SunExpress, or many European low-cost carriers, there's a good chance your flight will arrive at or depart from Sabiha Gökçen Airport instead of Istanbul Airport (IST).
Whether you're visiting Istanbul for the first time, connecting to another Turkish city, or planning a business trip, understanding how SAW works can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. In this complete 2026 guide, you'll learn everything about Sabiha Gökçen Airport, including its location, terminals, transportation options, taxi fares, metro connections, airport facilities, nearby hotels, and the fastest ways to reach popular districts such as Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy, and Beşiktaş.
If you're looking for the most comfortable way to leave the airport, you can pre-book a fixed-price Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen airport transfer with a professional driver waiting for you upon arrival, avoiding taxi queues and surge pricing.
What is Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)?
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, commonly known as SAW Airport, is the second-largest airport serving Istanbul after Istanbul Airport (IST). Its official IATA airport code is SAW, while its ICAO code is LTFJ.
The airport was named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female fighter pilot and the adopted daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Today, SAW functions as a major hub for:
- Pegasus Airlines
- AJet
- AnadoluJet (former brand)
- SunExpress
- Turkish Airlines (selected routes)
- Numerous European and Middle Eastern airlines
The airport offers hundreds of daily flights connecting Istanbul with destinations throughout Europe, the Balkans, Central Asia, the Middle East, and dozens of Turkish cities.
Travel times vary depending on traffic conditions and the time of day.
Why Millions of Travelers Use SAW Airport
Sabiha Gökçen has grown into one of Europe's busiest airports because it offers an excellent balance of affordability, accessibility, and flight availability.
Millions of travelers choose SAW every year because:
Lower Airfares
Pegasus Airlines and many European low-cost carriers operate from SAW, often offering cheaper fares than Istanbul Airport.
Extensive Domestic Network
SAW has excellent connections to almost every major Turkish city, including Antalya, Izmir, Ankara, Trabzon, Dalaman, Bodrum, Adana, Gaziantep, and Cappadocia.
Convenient for the Asian Side
Travelers staying in Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Ataşehir, Pendik, Kartal, or nearby districts can reach the airport much faster than IST.
Modern Airport Facilities
The airport features:
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Duty-free shopping
- Currency exchange
- ATMs
- Business lounges
- Free Wi-Fi
- Family facilities
- Car rental companies
Excellent International Connections
SAW serves more than 120 international destinations, particularly across:
- Europe
- Balkans
- Middle East
- Caucasus
- Central Asia
- North Africa
Airport Transfers from Sabiha Gökçen Airport
After landing at SAW, travelers have several transportation options depending on their budget, destination, and luggage.
Many visitors choose to pre-book an Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer because it offers:
- Fixed pricing
- Meet & greet service
- Flight tracking
- Professional English-speaking drivers
- Door-to-door hotel transfers
- No waiting in taxi lines
Private transfers are particularly recommended for families, groups, business travelers, and passengers arriving late at night.
Popular Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer destinations include:
- Taksim
- Sultanahmet
- Galata
- Beşiktaş
- Levent
- Kadıköy
- Şişli
- Istanbul Airport (IST)
Metro from Sabiha Gökçen Airport
One of the biggest improvements to SAW Airport has been the opening of the M4 Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen Metro Line, providing a direct rail connection between the airport and central districts on the Asian side.
The metro allows passengers to travel from the airport to:
- Pendik
- Kartal
- Maltepe
- Bostancı
- Kozyatağı
- Ünalan
- Kadıköy
From Kadıköy, travelers can continue using:
- Marmaray
- Metrobus
- Ferries
- M5 Metro
- Trams via transfers
While the metro is inexpensive, reaching destinations like Taksim or Sultanahmet usually requires multiple transfers, making it less convenient for travelers with heavy luggage.
Taxi from Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Official airport taxis operate 24 hours a day outside the arrivals terminal.
Passengers can choose between:
- Yellow Taxi
- Turquoise Taxi
- Black VIP Taxi
Taxi fares are calculated using taximeters, meaning the final cost depends on:
- Distance
- Traffic
- Toll roads
- Waiting time
Because traffic between the Asian and European sides can be heavy, many travelers prefer booking a fixed-price private Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer instead of relying on a metered taxi.
For groups or families, private transfers are often similarly priced while offering greater comfort, larger vehicles, and no pricing uncertainty.
Where is Sabiha Gökçen Airport?
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is located in the Pendik district on the Asian side of Istanbul, approximately 35 km southeast of the city center. As Istanbul's second international airport, it primarily serves low-cost and regional airlines while also offering an extensive network of international flights.
Its strategic location makes SAW the preferred airport for travelers staying on the Asian side of Istanbul, including Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Ataşehir, and Pendik, while it also provides convenient access to the European side via the Eurasia Tunnel, Marmaray, and the 15 July Martyrs Bridge.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport Location
- District: Pendik
- Side of Istanbul: Asian Side
- Country: Türkiye
- IATA Code: SAW
- ICAO Code: LTFJ
- Coordinates: 40.8986° N, 29.3092° E
You can view the airport on Google Maps to plan your journey or estimate travel times to your hotel before arrival.
Distance from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Popular Areas
Travel times may vary depending on traffic conditions, weather, and the time of day. If you're traveling with luggage or arriving during peak hours, booking a Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer is often the fastest and most convenient way to reach your destination.
Private Airport Transfer from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (Recommended)
For most international travelers, a private airport transfer from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is the easiest and most comfortable way to reach your hotel. Unlike taxis, private Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer offers fixed prices, flight tracking, and a professional driver waiting inside the arrivals hall, eliminating the stress of finding transportation after a long flight.
Whether you're traveling to Taksim, Sultanahmet, Galata, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, Levent, or anywhere else in Istanbul, your chauffeur monitors your flight in real time and adjusts the pickup time if your flight is delayed. You won't need to negotiate fares, worry about language barriers, or carry luggage through public transport.
Why Choose a Private Airport Transfer?
- Fixed price with no hidden charges
- Meet & greet inside the arrivals terminal
- Flight tracking included
- Professional English-speaking drivers
- Modern Mercedes vehicles
- Door-to-door hotel service
- Free waiting time after landing
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Ideal for families, business travelers, and groups
For many visitors, the price difference between a taxi and a pre-booked Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer is small, while the convenience and reliability are significantly better—especially during rush hour when taxi meters continue running in traffic.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport Taxi Prices (2026)
VIP Airport Transfer from Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Start your visit to Istanbul with comfort, privacy, and complete peace of mind by booking a VIP airport transfer from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Instead of waiting in taxi queues or navigating public transportation after a long flight, your professional chauffeur will be waiting inside the arrivals terminal, ready to escort you directly to your luxury vehicle.
Whether you're traveling for business, a family vacation, or a special occasion, our VIP Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer service provides a seamless door-to-door experience from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to any destination in Istanbul, including Taksim, Sultanahmet, Galata, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, Levent, Şişli, and the city's major hotels.
What's Included?
- Meet & greet inside the arrivals hall
- Flight tracking with automatic pickup adjustments
- Fixed prices with no hidden fees
- Luxury Mercedes Vito VIP vehicles
- Professional English-speaking chauffeurs
- Complimentary waiting time
- Air-conditioned, spacious vehicles
- Door-to-door hotel or residence drop-off
- Child seats available upon request
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Unlike standard taxis, our VIP airport transfer service guarantees the price you book online. There are no taximeters, surge pricing, or unexpected charges due to traffic. Your driver monitors your flight in real time, ensuring they're ready whenever you land—even if your flight is delayed.
Whether you're heading to a luxury hotel in Taksim, a boutique hotel in Sultanahmet, a business meeting in Levent, or your Airbnb in Kadıköy, our private Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer service offers the fastest, safest, and most comfortable way to leave Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Why Travelers Choose Our VIP Transfer
- Trusted by thousands of international visitors every year
- Modern Mercedes fleet maintained to the highest standards
- Licensed and fully insured transportation company
- Fixed online prices with instant confirmation
- 24/7 customer support via WhatsApp
- Secure online booking in less than two minutes
Book Your Sabiha Gökçen Airport VIP Transfer Today
Skip the taxi queues, avoid unpredictable fares, and enjoy a smooth arrival in Istanbul with a private VIP airport transfer.
Why book with Rento?
- Fixed prices from booking to destination
- Luxury Mercedes Vito VIP vehicles
- Professional English-speaking chauffeurs
- Meet & greet inside the terminal
- Flight monitoring included
- Free cancellation on eligible bookings
- Available 24/7, 365 days a year
Reserve your Sabiha Gökçen Airport transfer today and arrive in Istanbul the comfortable way.
WhatsApp: +90 543 615 2061
Email: reservation@rentotransfer.com
