Getting from Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is on Istanbul’s Asian side, near Pendik. It is close to Kadıköy and Ataşehir, but Taksim and Sultanahmet on the European side are 40–50 km away across the Bosphorus, which can take 60–90 minutes in traffic. Havabüs airport buses and the M4 metro to Kadıköy are cheap options; a private transfer is the easiest with luggage.
Sabiha Gökçen transfer prices
- Pendik: from about €30
- Ataşehir: from about €35
- Kadıköy: from about €40 with Istanbul Transfer Service
- Taksim: from about €52 with Cab Istanbul, €70 in a Vito VIP with Merry Tourism and Kings World
- Beyoğlu: about €60 with Istanbul Shuttle
Should I stay on the Asian side?
If you land at Sabiha Gökçen late at night or leave early in the morning, a hotel in Kadıköy or Ataşehir is much closer. For sightseeing in Sultanahmet, plan for the longer drive or take the ferry from Kadıköy across the Bosphorus.
Galataport from Sabiha Gökçen
Cruise passengers should allow 50–70 minutes to Galataport.