Lois Larson
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side of the city, about 30 km southeast of the Kadıköy ferry dock. It is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female fighter pilot, who began flying in 1936 at the age of 23. The airport is served mainly by low-cost airlines and is considered Istanbul's second airport after the newer Istanbul Airport (IST). It is situated 12 km north of Pendik and 45 km east of Istanbul, and handles a range of flights, including international services by major airlines.
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What You'll Learn
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female fighter pilot
- It is mainly served by low-cost airlines and is located on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus
- There are several transport options to get to the city centre, including bus, metro, taxi, shuttle van, and car rental
- The airport has a large food court, duty-free shopping area, conference centre, car parking, and an airport hotel
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport implemented safety measures and won an award for prioritising customers
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female fighter pilot
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is named after Sabiha Gökçen, who was the world's first female fighter pilot. The airport is located on the Asian side of the city, about 30 kilometres southeast of the Kadıköy ferry dock and 45 kilometres east of Istanbul. It is considered Istanbul's "second airport" after the newer Istanbul Airport (IST). Sabiha Gökçen Airport is served mainly by low-cost airlines, although Turkish Airlines also flew to and from the airport between 2015 and 2020. The airport is easily accessible by public transport, with the M4 metro line connecting it to Kadıköy and other parts of the city. Shuttle buses, taxis, and car rental services are also available for passengers travelling to and from the airport.
Sabiha Gökçen, the airport's namesake, began flying in 1936 at the age of 23. Her pioneering work was made possible by the social reforms of Kemal Atatürk, which emphasised equal rights and opportunities for women and the importance of flight. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport has a range of facilities for passengers, including a large food court, a duty-free area, a conference centre, and a hotel. Paid-for Wi-Fi and internet kiosks are available throughout the terminal, and the airport also provides numerous facilities for disabled passengers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport implemented safety measures and won the ACI World 'Voice of the Customer' initiative for prioritising customer safety and experience.
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It is mainly served by low-cost airlines and is located on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is situated on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, 12km (7 miles) north of Pendik and 45km (28 miles) east of Istanbul. It is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female fighter pilot, who began flying in 1936 at the age of 23. The airport is considered Istanbul's "second airport" after the newer Istanbul Airport (IST).
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is mainly served by low-cost airlines, including local carrier Pegasus. Between 2015 and 2020, Turkish Airlines also operated out of the airport, but after the opening of the new Istanbul Airport, it moved its hub and ceded all flights to and from Sabiha Gökçen to its low-cost carrier AnadoluJet. The airport serves a full range of flights, including international flights by major airlines, and is used by more than 29 million passengers each year.
There are several transport options for travelling between Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Istanbul. The M4 metro line connects the airport to Kadıköy, and from there, passengers can take a ferry to Karaköy and Eminönü. Shuttle buses, such as the Havabüs, also run every 30 minutes between the airport and Kadıköy, with a travel time of at least 40 minutes. Additionally, there are bus services, taxis, and shuttle vans available for transport to the city centre, with a journey time of around 30-45 minutes.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport offers various facilities for passengers, including a large food court, a duty-free shopping area, a conference centre, and a four-storey car park. Paid-for Wi-Fi and internet kiosks are available throughout the terminal, and there are numerous facilities for disabled passengers, such as wheelchair hire and designated parking. The airport also provides a left-luggage service, baggage packing services, and a pharmacy for minor ailments.
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There are several transport options to get to the city centre, including bus, metro, taxi, shuttle van, and car rental
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is located on the outskirts of the city, around 38km from Sultanahmet Square, the historical tourist centre of Istanbul. The airport is mainly served by low-cost airlines and is located between the suburbs of Kurtkoy and Pendik.
There are several transport options to get from the airport to Istanbul's city centre:
Bus
Municipal public buses are available from the airport to the city centre. The IETT runs the number E10 bus from the airport to Kadıköy. This service is cheaper than private buses but tends to be very busy. The privately-run Havabus and Havaist buses also depart from outside the arrivals hall and travel to various destinations, including Kadıköy, Taksim, and Istanbul Airport. Tickets for these buses are purchased in lira from the driver or on the bus.
Metro
The M4 metro line connects Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy. This line operates from 6 am to midnight on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends. The journey takes approximately 52 minutes, and a ticket costs 27 Turkish Lira (TL), payable with an Istanbul Card. The M4 line also connects to the Marmaray train line at Ayrilik Cesmesi Station, providing easy transfers between Asia and Europe.
Taxi
Taxis are available outside the arrival hall at the airport. They are the most convenient and comfortable option but can be more expensive than other forms of transport. Istanbul's taxi system runs on a meter with a base fare of 0.5 euros and a per-kilometre rate of 0.3 euros.
Shuttle Van
Havabus shuttle buses run every 30 minutes between the airport and Kadıköy on the Asian side or Taksim on the European side of Istanbul. The travel time to Kadıköy is at least 40 minutes, and to Taksim is at least 70 minutes. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver or near the bus.
Car Rental
Car rental services are available at the airport if you prefer to drive yourself. However, this option may not be suitable for everyone, as the airport is located on the outskirts of the city, approximately 45 km from the major city centres.
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The airport has a large food court, duty-free shopping area, conference centre, car parking, and an airport hotel
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side of the city, about 30 kilometres southeast of Üsküdar, the Kadıköy ferry dock, and the Harem intercity bus terminal. It is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female fighter pilot, who took to the skies in 1936 at the age of 23. The airport is served by several low-cost airlines, including Pegasus, and it is about 38 kilometres from Sultanahmet Square, the historical tourist centre of Istanbul.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport boasts an impressive array of amenities, including a large food court spanning 9,594 square metres and a 3,300-square-metre duty-free shopping area in the departures section. The airport also features a conference centre capable of accommodating up to 200 delegates, making it an ideal location for business meetings and events.
For travellers seeking convenience and comfort, the airport offers a four-storey car park with a capacity for over 4,000 vehicles, ensuring ample parking space. Additionally, there is an airport hotel with three storeys and 128 rooms conveniently located next to the terminal, providing a convenient option for travellers with early departures or late arrivals.
The airport is easily accessible via various transportation options, including shuttle buses, metro lines, ferries, and taxis. The Havabüs shuttle buses provide regular connections between the airport and destinations like Kadıköy and Taksim, with a travel time of at least 40 minutes to the ferry terminal in Kadıköy and at least 70 minutes to Taksim. The M4 metro line is another efficient option, connecting the airport to Kadıköy and other areas in the city.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport implemented safety measures and won an award for prioritising customers
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) implemented several safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure a safe environment for both its staff and travellers. Peter, who is well-known for his expertise in aviation security, coordinated the preparation and implementation of a COVID-19 response plan for the airport. The plan included information and new protocols for all agencies operating at the airport, which helped establish consumer, traveller, and public confidence.
The airport also won ACI World's 'Voice of the Customer' initiative award for prioritising their customers during the pandemic. This award recognised the airport's efforts to enhance the passenger experience through new technology and reliable services. Saggaf, who was awarded Person of the Year 2021, played a significant role in achieving this by deploying new technology and diversifying the airport's offerings to attract new airlines and customers.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is mainly served by low-cost airlines, including local carrier Pegasus. It is located around 38km from Sultanahmet Square, the historical tourist centre of Istanbul. The airport has a wide range of facilities, including a large food court, a duty-free area, a conference centre, a car park, and an airport hotel.
Travellers can easily reach the airport by public transport, particularly through the M4 metro line, which connects the airport to various destinations in Istanbul. Shuttle buses, such as the Havabüs, are also available and provide convenient transfers to and from the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
SAW is the IATA code for Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.
The airport is located on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, about 30 km southeast of Uskudar. It is situated 12 km north of Pendik and 45 km east of Istanbul.
You can get to the city from the airport by city bus, Havataş Airport Bus, private transfer service, public transport (bus, Metro Marmaray), taxi, shuttle van, and car rental.
The airport has a large food court, a duty-free area, a conference centre, a four-storey car park, a three-storey airport hotel, and numerous facilities for disabled passengers.
The airport won ACI World's 'Voice of the Customer' initiative, recognising its efforts to prioritise customers during COVID-19. The airport CEO, Saggaf, was also awarded Person of the Year in 2021 for his leadership during the pandemic.
