Lois Larson
Istanbul, Turkey's most-visited city, has two main international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). IST, the newer and larger of the two, is located on the European side of Istanbul, about 40 kilometres from the city centre. It is a full-service airport, with modern facilities, efficient operations, and extensive connectivity. On the other hand, SAW is situated on the Asian side, around 45 kilometres from the city centre. It is a smaller, more manageable, and budget-friendly option with faster lines and typically cheaper tickets. The choice between the two airports depends on factors such as your destination within the city, travel priorities, budget, and airline preferences.
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What You'll Learn
Location and accessibility
Istanbul Airport (IST) is located on the European side of Istanbul, about 35 to 40 kilometres northwest of the city centre. It is the newer and larger of the two airports, with modern amenities, extensive shopping options, and a wider range of international flights. It is also well-connected to the city centre by public transport, including the M11 metro line, which runs every 6 minutes during peak hours and takes around 30 minutes to reach the city. The airport is also served by taxi and bus services, with journey times ranging from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the destination.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, about 45 kilometres from the city centre. It is smaller, less crowded, and caters more to domestic flights and low-cost carriers. While it may be less convenient for travellers aiming to visit European-side attractions, it offers a more relaxed and less hectic travel environment. It is also conveniently situated close to several major highways and public transportation routes.
Both airports offer efficient transportation options, with metro, bus, and taxi services available at each. Istanbul Airport may have better connections and more flight options, but Sabiha Gökçen Airport is a good choice for budget-conscious travellers, particularly those heading to the Asian side of the city.
Istanbul Airport is served by a variety of international airlines, including Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa, and British Airways. It also offers a wide range of dining and shopping options, including duty-free shops, lounges, restaurants, and cafes. The airport has won several awards, including "Best Airport in Southern Europe" and "World's Best New Airport."
Sabiha Gökçen Airport, on the other hand, serves as a hub for several budget airlines and low-cost carriers, such as Pegasus Airlines and AJet. It still offers a diverse range of dining and shopping options, ensuring that passengers have everything they need for a comfortable journey.
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Size and ease of navigation
Istanbul Airport (IST) is the newest and largest airport in Istanbul. It occupies an area larger than Manhattan and is expected to serve 200 million passengers annually. The airport is huge, with four runways and one terminal handling both domestic and international flights. It can be challenging to navigate due to its size, especially during busy periods. It is advised to allow ample time when transiting or catching a flight from Istanbul Airport.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), on the other hand, is smaller and easier to navigate. It is Istanbul's second airport, located on the Asian side of the city. It has a more relaxed atmosphere and is less crowded, making for a quicker transit experience. However, it has fewer airlines and destinations compared to Istanbul Airport.
Istanbul Airport has modern facilities, including duty-free shops, lounges, restaurants, and cafes, making it a great place to spend time during layovers or delays. It is designed to manage a large volume of passengers and planes efficiently, featuring advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment that streamlines operations and enhances the overall passenger experience.
In contrast, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, having opened in 2001, has not undergone the same level of modernisation as Istanbul Airport. Nevertheless, it still offers efficient services and amenities. Despite its smaller size, it provides a diverse range of dining and shopping options to ensure a comfortable journey for its passengers.
Istanbul Airport is well connected to the city centre and offers various transportation options, including the metro, buses, and taxis. The M11 metro line connects the airport to the city centre, with trains running every six minutes during peak hours and a journey time of around 30 minutes. Additionally, the HAVAIST bus service provides a direct connection to various locations in the city centre, such as Taksim Square and Kadıköy, with buses departing every 20 minutes.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is also connected to the city centre, but it is slightly farther away than Istanbul Airport. It is situated close to several major highways and public transportation routes. A taxi ride from Istanbul Airport to the city centre takes about an hour, while the bus journey varies from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the destination.
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Airlines and destinations
Istanbul is served by two international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW).
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport is the larger of the two airports, serving over 76 million passengers in 2023. It is located on the European side of the city, about 40 kilometres from central districts like Taksim and Sultanahmet. It is the base for Turkish Airlines and connects to hundreds of global destinations. Other major international airlines that use the airport include Air France, China Southern, Etihad, LOT, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Transavia, and more. The airport is a "full-service airport", meaning it is bigger, has more airlines, and has better connections to the rest of the world. It features luxury lounges, extensive duty-free areas, art installations, and diverse dining options. It also has direct metro access via the M11 Line.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located about 50 kilometres from Taksim, on Istanbul's Asian side. It is named after Turkey's first female fighter pilot. The airport serves as a hub for several budget airlines and low-cost carriers, most notably Pegasus Airlines and AJet (formerly AnadoluJet). Pegasus Airlines is Turkey's largest low-cost airline, offering domestic and international flights at budget-friendly prices. The airport is smaller, easier to navigate, and generally offers more affordable flights. It is ideal for travellers on a tighter budget. It also has metro connections to the city.
Atatürk Airport
Until 2019, most commercial passenger flights to Istanbul landed at Atatürk Airport, with some other airlines using Sabiha Gökçen Airport as a hub. However, in 2019, all scheduled commercial passenger flights were transferred from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport, and the airport now only handles cargo flights.
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Amenities and facilities
Istanbul Airport (IST) is a full-service airport, which means it has more amenities and facilities than Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). It is bigger, with more airlines and better connections to the rest of the world. It is also the newer of the two airports, having opened in late 2018 or 2019. The airport is modern, clean, and vast, with advanced technologies and state-of-the-art equipment that help streamline operations, reduce wait times, and improve the overall passenger experience.
Istanbul Airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 serving domestic flights and Terminal 2 serving international flights. The airport has expansive lounges, duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafes, making it a great place to spend time during layovers or delays. It also has efficient operations, designed to handle large volumes of passengers and planes. The airport is expected to have eight runways and four terminal buildings by 2027, along with convention centres, hotels, and a medical centre.
Istanbul Airport offers a wide range of dining options, from luxurious restaurants offering gourmet meals to quick-service outlets and cozy cafes. It also has one of the most impressive arrays of shopping options in the world, ranging from high-end luxury brands to unique local artisanship. The airport also launched İGA ART in 2021, curating a variety of rotating art installations and exhibitions to showcase the wonderful culture of the city.
In comparison, Sabiha Gökçen Airport is not as busy, has slightly faster lines, and typically offers cheaper tickets. It is an excellent option if you prioritize efficiency and affordability over aesthetics and amenities. The airport is smaller, easier to navigate, and generally more affordable. It is also less crowded, which can make for a quicker transit experience, though it is farther from the city centre. The airport provides a diverse range of dining and shopping options, ensuring that passengers have everything they need for a comfortable journey.
In summary, Istanbul Airport offers a wider range of amenities and facilities, with more dining and shopping options, modern technologies, and efficient operations. Sabiha Gökçen Airport, on the other hand, offers a more limited but still diverse range of amenities, with a focus on efficiency, affordability, and comfort.
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Budget
When it comes to budget, there are a few factors to consider when choosing which airport to fly to or from in Istanbul. Both Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) have their pros and cons in terms of cost-efficiency.
Firstly, it is worth considering the cost of transport to and from the airports. Istanbul Airport is located further from the city centre (around 33.5 miles) than Sabiha Gökçen Airport, which is only 27.9 miles from the centre. However, Istanbul Airport is served by fast public transport options, including buses and a metro train, which can get you to the city in around 45-60 minutes for as little as $3-$6. In comparison, Sabiha Gökçen Airport is served by slower public transport, with a journey time of over 2 hours, although a private shuttle or Uber can get you to the city centre in around 30 minutes for a higher cost of $20 upwards. Therefore, if you are looking to save on transport costs, Istanbul Airport may be the better option, especially if you are not travelling too far within the city.
Another consideration is the cost of amenities at the airport. Some travellers have noted that Istanbul Airport (IST) is very expensive, with high prices for food and drinks. On the other hand, Sabiha Gökçen Airport has been described as having more affordable options, with one traveller mentioning a supermarket with reasonably priced sandwiches. Therefore, if you are looking to save money on refreshments or last-minute purchases, Sabiha Gökçen Airport might be the better choice.
In terms of flight costs, it appears that both airports are served by a range of airlines, including low-cost carriers. Istanbul Airport is the main hub for Turkish Airlines and also serves other major airlines such as Emirates, Lufthansa, and British Airways. Sabiha Gökçen Airport is served by a variety of airlines, including Air Arabia Maroc, Air Manas, AnadoluJet, Atlas Global, Azerbaijan Airlines, German Wings, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Therefore, it is worth comparing prices for both airports to see which one offers the most affordable flight options for your specific itinerary.
Additionally, it is worth considering any potential costs that may arise due to flight delays or long connection times. Istanbul Airport has been designed to handle large volumes of passengers and planes efficiently, with advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment to streamline operations and reduce wait times. In contrast, Sabiha Gökçen Airport handles a significant number of flights and passengers, which can result in longer queues and flight delays. Therefore, if you are concerned about potential delay-related expenses, Istanbul Airport might be a more budget-friendly option.
Lastly, if you are planning to visit other destinations within Turkey or internationally, the availability of direct flights and connections could impact your budget. Istanbul Airport has an extensive network, serving over 300 destinations with more than 100 airlines, making it convenient for connecting flights. Sabiha Gökçen Airport also handles both domestic and international flights, but it appears to have fewer options, with some travellers mentioning having to take connecting flights through other airports. Therefore, depending on your travel plans, choosing an airport with more direct flight options could potentially save you money on additional travel expenses.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on your destination within the city and your travel priorities.
Istanbul Airport is located approximately 40 kilometres from the city centre, while Sabiha Gökçen Airport is about 45 kilometres from the city centre.
You can take a bus, metro, or taxi to reach central Istanbul from the Istanbul Airport. A taxi ride will take about an hour, while the bus journey time varies from half an hour to an hour and a half. A new metro line connecting Istanbul Airport and the city is also scheduled to open in 2021.
You can take a bus, shuttle, or taxi to reach the city centre from Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The bus takes 45-60 minutes, while a private shuttle will get you there in 33 minutes.
Istanbul Airport is the larger and newer airport with modern amenities, extensive shopping options, and a wide range of international flights. Sabiha Gökçen Airport, on the other hand, caters more to domestic flights and low-cost carriers, offering a more relaxed and less crowded travel experience.
