Something that many international travelers don’t think about when arranging their dream vacation, is how far the airport is from the city they are visiting. For most major cities, that is a long way. It can cost up to a hundred dollars in a taxi, or worse, just to get your vacation started! Now, Istanbul isn’t quite that bad, but it is still a fair way out to the airport, so it is something that you probably need to plan ahead for. That is exactly why I am writing this quick guide on the best way to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul City.
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It isn’t exactly a major issue that I found in Istanbul, because even though there wasn’t much information available on the subject, on the ground I found that there ARE a few options. Language barriers make it difficult to make an informed decision though, especially for those that don’t travel a lot.
Don’t believe the articles that say Taxi is your only option. Or a private transfer by car or shuttle. Those people most likely have an agenda. Because I am here to tell you that you only have to spend a few dollars to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul. Not the exorbitant, budget busting amounts that you sometimes have to spend to get into major cities from airports.
Before you continue, you may need to check one thing. Are you ACTUALLY flying into Sabiha Gokcen Airport? Istanbul actually has TWO airports, the other being the New Istanbul Airport. A couple of the transportation options I am mentioning here still relate, but this article is actually focused on getting from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul City, not the New Istanbul Airport.
Table of Contents
- Where is Sabiha Gokcen Airport?
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport – What to expect
- Transport Options to Istanbul City
- Other Destinations
- Do you have your Turkey Visa Yet?
- Summary
Where is Sabiha Gokcen Airport?
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is located 32 km to the Southeast of the city of Istanbul. It is on the Asian side of the city, and is the perfect airport to arrive at if staying around the Kadikoy, Moda or Uskudar areas. That being said, it is just as easy to get to the rest of the city as well, if only a little longer.
The airport is fairly new, having opened as recently as 2001. It was built to meet the booming passenger demands of the city, and the already established International Airport to the West of the city was not handling the demand.
An interesting fact about Sabiha Gokcen Airport, is that it was named after Sabiha Gokcen, the first female fighter pilot in the world.
Sabiha Gokcen Airport – What to expect
Sabiha Gokcen Airport is actually a well run place. Getting through Immigration can take a while though, as they sometimes only have 3 or 4 of the dozen or so available counters running. Of course, this happens all over the world, so it’s nothing against Sabiha Gokcen itself.
Once you are through immigration and customs, you will emerge into the arrivals area. This isn’t actually as big as one would think it would be. Certainly not by the standards of most other international airports around the world. But then, this is actually the sort of “back up” or “Overflow” airport for the city, after all.
When you emerge, there is a bank of ATM’s on your right. Stock up with some cash if you need it, and then check out the SIM card stands if you need to have Facebook and the Gram always at your fingertips as you travel. Then, head for the exit doors just beyond.
Outside, you will immediately come across the taxi stands. Directly beyond that, across the road are the bus stops. First, the Havabus shuttles, and hidden behind them are the public buses. Just like every airport on Earth, you will find about a thousand taxi drivers calling you, and bus drivers waving at you as if they are your best friends. Ignore the Taxi drivers, because if you are looking for a new friend, the bus driver is probably going to be your best option!
Transport Options to Istanbul City
So, now that you have arrived, let’s take a look at what you have to choose from. When I first began looking into this myself, I was convinced that I only had taxi and private transfer/pickup to choose from. I was so wrong. The fact is that there are actually several options, and taxi is the one that you really should stay away from.
So let’s take a look.
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Havabus to Kadikoy or Taksim
Havabus is one of the options I knew nothing about. I must have searched a dozen times for information about transfers, but never once did I find anything about the Havabus. Then suddenly I stumbled across it, and my life changed! Well, nearly. I WAS a lot happier though.
Havabus is basically an airport shuttle. That’s it in a nutshell.
You can find them directly outside of the front doors and across the road. So just dodge all the taxi drivers, cross the road and they will be right in front of you. You won’t be able to miss them, and actually will probably be the first things you see as the airport doors open.
The buses are big white coaches. They will be emblazoned with red signs, leaving you no doubt of the destination of each. They run on a set timetable, and will leave if they have 3 passengers, or 24. You will find the timetable posted up nearby, or you can simply ask the drivers who are more than helpful. In fact they will probably approach you before you approach them!
Otherwise, I will post an image of the latest timetable below.
There will really only be two options for the Havabus, as far as destinations go. Kadikoy or Taksim. Chat to the drivers though, as if you are staying somewhere along the route, it is likely that they will be willing to stop nearby and let you off. On the Kadikoy route last time I took it, they made three stops along the way.
Havabus Tickets and Prices
You can buy the tickets in the ticket office off to the right of the buses, inside the parking station building. To make it even easier though, just give your luggage to the drivers to be stowed away, and hop right on the bus. They will come around and collect the fare before they leave. You can pay by cash, or debit/credit card, as the staff carry a wireless machine with them.
On my last trip, the fare cost 47 Lira to Kadikoy. I didn’t take the Taksim bus, but it was advertised as 52 Lira. Prices are subject to change though, as they always are.
UPDATE JANUARY 2024 – Ticket prices for Havabus seem to have gone up. Current advertising is 121 Lira return from Taksim, so that is about 60 Lira one way. Always be aware that prices may change but I will endeavor to keep this article up to date as info comes to hand.
The buses themselves are really comfortable and new. They even have tv’s in the backs of the seats, although I have never seen them turned on. The trip to Kadikoy takes one hour, with the Taksim trip taking just a bit longer.
Welcome Pickups
This is the best option for anyone in a hurry, or going somewhere that is well away from the public routes. In other words, if catching the shuttle to the center means a long taxi ride or several changes of public transport to get where you’re going, then Welcome Pickups might be the best way to go.
This is basically a private car service that will meet you at the airport. They operate all over the world, and Istanbul is one of their major hubs. Simply go across to their website before you travel, and make a booking. It’s simple and easy, and when you arrive at Sabiha Gokcen, you can feel like a rock star as you spot the person standing there with your name emblazoned on a hand held sign.
Then, all that is left is for you to ride in air conditioned comfort right to the door of your hotel. Can getting from Sabiha Gokcen airport to Istanbul City really get any better?
Probably not.
Metro to Kadikoy
The Metro is only new in Istanbul, and has been a long time coming. In fact, on my most recent trip, I didn’t even know it WAS an option!
You will find the Metro station (train station) off to the left of the arrivals terminal. This is a cheap option to get to Kadikoy, and you will have the option of a few stations to get off at before it reaches its final stop. From there, you can jump on other modes of public transport to get to your final destination. That is, if you aren’t staying in Kadikoy.
To ride the Metro, you can buy a single ticket. Otherwise, simply head to one of the yellow or blue machines to grab yourself an IstanbulKart card, then top it up so that you can use it for all your public transport around Istanbul during your visit.
Just be aware that the yellow machines are ONLY in Turkish. You may need someone to assist you, unless you can find a Blue Machine, which is more user friendly and has an English option. Once you have the card and have loaded funds onto it, simply swipe your way onto the Metro and off you go!
The IstanbulKart is a wonderful way to make your way around the city. It basically works like a “swipe on, swipe off” card similar to that which you would see in many other cities around the world. You can use it for ferries, trains, buses and funiculars. Buy one from a yellow or blue machine, or keep a look out for retailers around the major bus and ferry terminals. Many of them will sell you the card for 50 Lira, and then you just have to top it up at a machine. You can use the single card for up to 5 people as well!
Taxi or Bus
Taxi and Bus are also options to get to Istanbul City. I personally would avoid both, and as this article is being written to tell you the BEST way to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul City, I would advise against both.
This is NOT because I have anything against taxi’s or buses in General.
The bus is not a viable option, UNLESS you don’t have to worry about time, and are really, really tight on money. The trip, just to Kadikoy, takes 87 minutes. Before you leave you will have to obtain an IstanbulKart Card, and top it up. There are machines to do this at the stops, but they are all in Turkish. So you will have to find another place to purchase the card, or a helpful local to assist. The good side is the that trip is fairly cheap.
You can check out the available public bus options HERE.
Taxi’s on the other hand, are not economically viable, UNLESS you don’t have to worry about money. And in THAT case, just book Welcome Pickups! Why give it to a Taxi driver who is most likely going to go above and beyond to scam you with every play in the book?
Because that is what catching a taxi in Istanbul is. A major scam just waiting to happen. Avoid them at ALL COSTS.
If you Do have to try and catch a taxi, then my suggestion is to make certain it has a meter, and make them use it. Know where you are going, and follow along on Google Maps if you can. Do everything you can to make certain they are not going to try and get more money out of you. Taxi scams are certainly not unique to Istanbul, and maybe they didn’t write the book on Taxi Scams, but I’m pretty certain they may have been consulted, or contributed in some way!
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Other Destinations
If you are arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport and heading to some other destination in the city, then you don’t have to worry about multiple connections, as there are still options. As mentioned above, Welcome Pickups is one, but there is also another.
Klook booking site has car pickups available that will offer different priced deals, depending upon where you wish to go in the city. Check them out at the link below.
Do you have your Turkey Visa Yet?
Do you even know if you need a Visa?
Many countries need a Visa to visit Turkey, and travelers don’t even realize it.
Don’t be THAT person at the airport that forgot to check. Simply fill in the details of the handy tool below to find out if you need a visa for Turkey or not. IVisa have the most up to date information possible for Visa’s Worldwide, and personally I don’t put my trust in anyone else.
Summary
Getting from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul City is rather easy, and decidedly painless. The very best options are the Havabus, or Metro options. Both are relatively cheap, and easy to find and utilize. In particular the Havabus. If you have a bit of extra cash, or the other options don’t suit you, then I would recommend Welcome Pickups.
Stay away from the taxi’s unless you enjoy fending off scams, and the local bus is too slow and limited to be an attractive option for most.
Have you used any of these options in Istanbul? Then let me know in the comments if I have left anything out!
Valuable information. Thank you so much. Hopefully will be there Oct, 2023.
No problem. Have a great trip!
Many thanks! ^^ I’m going to Istanbul soon and I was searching useful information about getting from Sabiha Gocken Airport to the old Istanbul city, Your advices will help me. Thanks a lot.
You’re welcome Nina. I’m glad the information was helpful!
I have used Havabus and of course, the taxis.
I agree with you 1000% that travellers should avoid those scammers because I was one of their victims.
Thank you so much for the useful information. Everything which is written here is so true and basically nothing has been left out.
I will be going to Istanbul again next week 17.07 – 21.07.23
Thank you! Yes, avoid those scammers!
If we were to get the havabus how would you suggest is the best way to get to sultanahmet? First off go to kavakoy or taksim? And from then on how simple is the travel? Thank you
Hi Lucie
There are several options to get from Sabiha Gokcen to Sultanahmet. Its a bit easier from New Istanbul airport, but unfortunately sometimes you don’t get that choice with flights!
Firstly, the way I would personally do it is catching the metro from the airport to kadikoy (Ayrilik Cesmesi station). Then you simply change to the Marmaray which leaves from the same station and goes to Sultanahmet (Sirkeci). This is also the cheapest way.
Secondly, take the havabus to Taksim square and then the tram to Sultanahmet, but I think you will have to do one change of tram along the way.
Third, havabus to Kadikoy and then walk (about half a km) up the road to the Marmaray station, or alternatively catch the ferry across and then tram up the road to Sultanahmet.
There are plenty of options in Istanbul! The first two choices are the best and easiest.
J
Great post, thanks for info.
You have to update it though or put a note that prices are going to change.
We just boarded HavaBus to Taksim and paid almost 800 lira for 6 people ( price is same for children as adults). I haven’t checked with how much taxis are charging
Jan 2024
Hi Yulia. Thanks for the info. I will be back in Istanbul shortly so will check it out and make enquiries. In the meantime I’ve checked from here and the official info shows 121 Lira for return as the current price. Cheers.
Zdravo, mozete li mi pomoci kako da javnim prevozom stignem od mjesta Laleli do aerodroma Sabiha ili Laleli aerodrom novi? Hvala
Hi. Sorry for slow reply. Catch the Marmaray from Marmaray Yenikapı İstasyonu, to Söğütlüçeşme in Kadikoy where you can change to the metro to Sabiha Gokcen Airport.