Owais Crawford
Istanbul is served by three main airports, Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), and Ataturk Airport (ISL). IST and ISL are located on the European side of Istanbul, while SAW is located on the Asian side of the city. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is about 30 km southeast of Üsküdar, the Kadıköy ferry dock, and the Harem intercity bus terminal. It is named after Turkey's first female combat pilot and the adoptive daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
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What You'll Learn
- Istanbul has two main airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
- SAW is on the Asian side of Istanbul, while IST is on the European side
- SAW is further from Istanbul's historic sites and hotels compared to IST
- SAW is named after Turkey's first female combat pilot
- SAW is Istanbul's second airport after the newer Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul has two main airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Istanbul, a city that connects Europe and Asia, has two main airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Istanbul Airport is located on the European side of the city and is closer to the major sites and hotels. It is a modern airport with state-of-the-art facilities and extensive amenities. The airport caters to millions of transiting passengers and flights to over 350 destinations, offering expansive lounges, quiet zones, and spa treatments. It serves as a major hub for Turkish Airlines and other international carriers.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport, named after Turkey's first female combat pilot, is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, about 30 kilometres southeast of Üsküdar. The airport is known for its relaxed atmosphere and efficient services. Despite its smaller size, it offers a diverse range of dining and shopping options. Sabiha Gökçen Airport is considered the "second airport" of Istanbul, serving as an important gateway to the city's Asian side. It is easily accessible from various parts of the city, with convenient transportation options such as public buses, airport shuttles, and taxi services. The recent expansion of the metro system to include the M4 Metro Line has improved connectivity to the airport.
When choosing which airport to fly into, travellers should consider their specific needs and destinations within Istanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) is ideal for those seeking premium facilities, flying internationally with major airlines, or staying on the European side of the city. On the other hand, Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is a better choice for those travelling domestically, preferring budget airlines, or planning to stay closer to the Asian side. Both airports offer modern and efficient services, but the best option depends on individual travel plans and preferences.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is home to Pegasus Airlines, the main carrier at the airport. The connectivity of SAW spreads across over 117 international destinations and 40 domestic destinations. With its single terminal operation and additional boarding hall, SAW provides a seamless airport experience with short connecting times and convenient walking distances. The airport has undergone recent developments, including the construction of a second runway and a new terminal, which will significantly increase its handling capacity.
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SAW is on the Asian side of Istanbul, while IST is on the European side
Istanbul is served by three main airports: Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), and Ataturk Airport (ISL). IST and ISL are located on the European side of Istanbul, while SAW is on the Asian side.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is named after the adoptive daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Turkey's first female combat pilot. It is situated about 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Üsküdar, the Kadıköy ferry dock, and the Harem intercity bus terminal. The airport is located between the suburbs of Kurtköy and Pendik and is considered Istanbul's "second airport" after the newer Istanbul Airport (IST). Despite being smaller, SAW provides efficient services and amenities, including a diverse range of dining and shopping options. The airport is easily accessible from various parts of the city, including the European side via the Bosphorus bridges, and is served by public bus lines, airport shuttles, and taxi services. The recent expansion of the metro system has also included SAW, with the M4 Metro Line running between Kadıköy and the airport.
Istanbul Airport (IST), on the other hand, is a modern marvel, offering state-of-the-art facilities and extensive amenities. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a major hub for Turkish Airlines and catering to millions of transiting passengers and flights to over 350 destinations. The airport features expansive lounges, providing a relaxing environment for travellers with long layovers.
When choosing which airport to fly into, it is essential to consider your travel plans and hotel location. IST is ideal for those flying internationally with major airlines, seeking premium facilities, or staying on the European side of Istanbul. In contrast, SAW is more suitable for those flying domestically, preferring budget airlines, or staying closer to the Asian side.
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SAW is further from Istanbul's historic sites and hotels compared to IST
Istanbul has two international airports: the Istanbul International Airport (IST) and the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). The former is located on the European side of the city, in the Arnavutköy district, while the latter is situated on the Asian side.
IST is the larger of the two airports, serving as the main aviation hub for Istanbul. It is located 40 km from Taksim and 52 km from Kadıköy. The airport is equipped with ample parking facilities, boasting 40,000 parking spots across five different car parks. Additionally, it serves more than 350 domestic and international destinations in 110 countries.
On the other hand, SAW is farther from the city centre and the major historic sites of Istanbul. It is located 14 km from the Pendik railway station and sea-taxi stations. While the airport does offer various transportation options, including shuttle buses, express public buses, and coaches to nearby towns and cities, the journey into Istanbul can be lengthy and costly. For first-time visitors, especially those staying on the European side, opting for IST airport is recommended to save time and money.
The distance from SAW to areas like Sultanahmet can be up to 2 hours, depending on traffic. Additionally, hotels typically offer free one-way airport transfers for bookings of 3 or more nights if you arrive at IST, but this offer may not apply for arrivals at SAW. Transfers from SAW can be challenging, especially with luggage and when navigating an unfamiliar destination.
While SAW is a perfectly functional airport, its location on the Asian side of Istanbul makes it less convenient for accessing the city's main attractions and accommodations. For travellers seeking to minimise travel time and cost, IST is the more favourable option.
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SAW is named after Turkey's first female combat pilot
Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, about 30 km southeast of Üsküdar, the Kadıköy ferry dock, and the Harem intercity bus terminal. It is considered Istanbul's "second airport" after the newer Istanbul Airport (IST).
SAW is named after Sabiha Gökçen, Turkey's first female combat pilot. Gökçen was born on March 22, 1913, and passed away on her birthday in 2001 at the age of 88. She was one of nine children adopted by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who was the founder of modern-day Turkey. Atatürk's social reforms emphasised equal rights and opportunities for women, and the importance of flight.
Gökçen enrolled in Türk Kusu (Turkish Bird), the Civil Aviation School of the Turkish Aeronautical Association, in 1935. Although she initially focused on parachuting and gliding training, she went on to earn her pilot's license. With Atatürk's support, she received specialty training with military aircraft, becoming Turkey's first female combat pilot. She achieved this feat at the age of 23, flying over 8,000 hours and participating in 32 combat missions during her career.
Gökçen's achievements were recognised internationally and she received many awards and accolades. She was awarded the Turkish Aeronautical Association's first "Murassa (Jeweled) Medal" for her superior performance in military operations. She was also selected as the only female pilot for the poster of "The 20 Greatest Aviators in History", published by the United States Air Force in 1996. To honour her legacy, Istanbul's second international airport was named after her, opening in January 2001.
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SAW is Istanbul's second airport after the newer Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul has two main airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). IST is the newer airport of the two, having opened in 2018, and is located on the European side of Istanbul. It is considered a modern marvel, offering travellers state-of-the-art facilities and extensive amenities. IST serves as a major hub for Turkish Airlines, catering to millions of transiting passengers and flights to over 350 destinations.
SAW, on the other hand, is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, about 30 km southeast of Üsküdar, the Kadıköy ferry dock, and the Harem intercity bus terminal. It is situated between the suburbs of Kurtköy and Pendik and is named after the adoptive daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Turkey's first female combat pilot. While SAW is further from many of Istanbul's historic sites and hotels compared to IST, it is still an important gateway to the city's Asian side. The airport is easily accessible from various parts of the city, including the European side via the Bosphorus bridges, and is served by several public bus lines, airport shuttles, and taxi services. SAW offers efficient services and amenities, including a diverse range of dining and shopping options, comfortable lounges, baggage wrapping, currency exchange, and lost and found services.
In terms of accessibility, IST is closer to the major sites and hotels in Istanbul, making it a more convenient option for travellers staying on the European side. SAW, however, is located farther out and may require additional travel time due to potential traffic congestion during peak hours.
Both airports serve a vast number of international and domestic travellers, and the best airport for your trip to Istanbul depends on your specific needs and travel plans. IST is ideal for those flying internationally with a major airline, seeking premium facilities, or staying on the European side of Istanbul. SAW, as Istanbul's second airport, is a better choice for those flying domestically, preferring budget airlines, or staying closer to the Asian side of the city.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side of Istanbul.
Transport between the airport and Istanbul's city centre is via city bus, Havataş Airport Bus, private transfer service, public transport (bus, Metro Marmaray), taxi, shuttle van, and car rental.
SAW airport is conveniently situated close to several major highways and public transportation routes, allowing for quick and easy access from various parts of the city. The airport is also known for its relaxed atmosphere, efficient services, and amenities.
