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Everything you need to know about the route Sabiha Gokcen Airport-Istanbul
You can get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul by shuttle or taxi (private transfer). The trip by shuttle takes 1.5 hours, the ticket price is EUR 4. As for a taxi or a transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul, they will take you to the destination in 1 hour 15 minutes, and you will have to pay for this EUR 56. The distance between the airport and the city centre is 35 km.
Getting by public transportation is much cheaper than getting there by car, however note that 1.5 hours are the minimum travel time. Often, the trip duration can increase up to 2.5 hours, especially if you are travelling during peak hours or get into a traffic jam. The bus from Sabiha Gokcen Airport runs from early morning until late night, but there are also some hours at night when it is not available. So if you arrive during this period of time, you will have to get to the city either by taxi or by pre-booked transfer.
Order a transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport
If you want not only to get to Istanbul but also have fun there, make sure to read our detailed digests in the new Travel.Blender project.
For example, you can learn what Istanbul sights are worth visiting.
For those who prefer to explore the country through its gastronomic wonders, we have prepared an extensive guide "Cuisine of Istanbul and Restaurants you must experience".
Istanbul – the city of contrasts
Istanbul is known to be the city situated both in Europe and Asia at the same time. But, of course, tourists come here not only because of this fact: there is a large number of various sights and places. Travellers arriving in the city for the first time find themselves at the square where there are some famous historical monuments such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The church was a symbol of the greatness of the Byzantine Empire, and today it is a museum which can be visited by anyone. Also, it would be interesting for you to visit the Topkapi Palace, the Galata Tower, the Maiden's Tower, etc.
Shuttle from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul
€4
30min
from 1.5h
Ind. tourist
You can get from the airport to Taksim square in Istanbul by comfortable shuttle Havatas. The trip duration is from 1.5 hours, the ticket price is EUR 4. The shuttle from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul is rather frequent, it runs from early morning until late evening departing every 30 minutes. There are three hours at night when it is not available. Tickets can be bought from the driver when boarding. You can also take a city bus from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul - for instance, Е3-4 (to Levent district), Е10 (to Kadikoy-Kurtkoy), Е9 (to Bostanci), 16S (to Uzuncayir), but these buses are not as frequent as the shuttle.
Shuttle from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul:
commercial Havatas bus
Timetable:
from 04:00 a.m. to 01:00 a.m.
Route:
Sabiha Gokcen Airport – Zincirlikuyu – Taksim square
Travel time:
from 1.5h
Waiting time:
from 30min
Comfort level:
High: roomy cabin, comfortable seats, socket, Wi-Fi, TV.
Cost:
EUR 4
Clients:
families with or without children, aged tourists, those who have large luggage.
How to find the shared transfer stop at Istanbul Airport:
The shared transfer stop is located in front of the exit from the terminal building.
Transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul
€56
5min
1h 15min
Family
Many tourists prefer to take a transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul. This travel option is especially good for those who are in Istanbul for the first time, as well as travellers with children or a lot of luggage. The duration of the trip by taxi or transfer Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport is 1 hour 15 minutes, the cost of the trip is from EUR 56 for an Economy-class car and from EUR 62 for a minibus. You can book a comfortable sedan car or a minibus for a group of people.
Timetable:
24/7
Route:
to your hotel in Istanbul or given address
Travel time:
1h 15min
Waiting time:
You will have to spend about 5min looking for a taxi.
There is no need to wait for a pre-booked transfer: the driver will meet you at the exit from the arrivals area with a nameplate.
Comfort level:
Taxi on the spot: journey without stops and other passengers.
Pre-booked transfer: air-conditioning, English-speaking driver, help with luggage, journey without stops, spacious minibus, child seats, paying online, pre-booking
Cost:
from EUR 56 for an Economy-class car, from EUR 62 for a vehicle up to 7 passengers
Clients:
large groups of tourists, families with children, those who have large luggage or arrive at night, aged tourists, those who are in Turkey for the first time, don't know the route and foreign languages
How to find the taxi rank at Sabiha Gokcen Airport:
Taxis can be found at the taxi rank in front of the exit from the airport building.
Car rental in Istanbul
from €27
from 1 day
from 1 year
If you rent a car from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul, you manage time yourself. You may discover the main sights of the country and drop off the car in any Turkish city (for an extra fee). To rent a car, you need to provide an international driving license, a passport, and an embossed credit card. The longer the rental period, the lower the price of car rental per day. Comprehensive insurance is included in the rental price. Choose fuel-efficient cars, otherwise, you risk spending much money on petrol which costs a lot in Turkey. It’s possible to rent a car at Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the day of arrival.
How to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul:
It is quite easy to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul, as tourists have two travel options to choose from. Thus, they can take public transportation from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul or a taxi (private transfer). These options differ in their cost and trip duration, that's why it is important to define your priorities. Have a nice trip!
Those who already know how to get to their hotel should learn more about Istanbul City Transport: What types of buses and trains there are, where to buy a metro ticket and how to refill it. Plus, a lot of useful information about how to rent a car with or without a driver.
Read also:
How to get from Ataturk Airport to Istanbul