Transfers vs. Other Ways to Get from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
The Sabiha Gokcen Airport is the second most important air hub in Turkey. It's named after the first Turkish female pilot. The airport is located in the Asian part of the city, 35 km from the historic center. It has two terminals: the first one is for domestic flights and the second is for international flights. From the airport, tourists usually go to the Istanbul district of Sultanahmet, where the main attractions are concentrated, and to the Ataturk Airport. From the city, you can go to the thermal resort of Yalova and to Bulgarian Burgas.
How to Get From Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul City Center or the other way round
You can go in this direction in several ways, such as:
- bus + ferry + tram. On the Havatas shuttle or E10 bus, you need to get to the Kadikoy quay, then take the ferry and get off on Eminonu Pier, then wait for the T1 tram which will take you to the center;
- bus + cableway + tram. On the Havatas shuttle, go to Taksim Square, from there go down by cable car to the stop "Kabatash" and change to the tram T1;
- bus + metro + tram. Take the KM22 route to Kartal metro station, then go to Ayrilikcesme station and there take the train through the tunnel Marmaray under the Bosphorus. You need to get off at the Sirkeci stop and there change to the tram T1;
- bus + metro bus. Take the E10 or E11 route to Uzuncayir stop and then change to the metro bus;
- taxi service at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport. You can take a taxi cab in the parking lot, call it by phone or through a mobile app;
- transfer from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport. You need to book in on the site.
Shuttles run from 04:00 to 00:00, the route E11 - from 06:00 to 00:05, route E10 - round the clock. The average time interval is 30 minutes, and the journey time is 1 hour. The ferry leaves every half an hour, and the last one leaves at 20:00. The rest of transport runs from 06:00 to 00:00.
As you can see, the center of the city, where tourists usually settle, cannot be reached directly. However, in 2018, it is planned to extend the metro line to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport, which will reduce the number of changes.
Transfer vs. Taxi from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (taken on the spot or ordered via the app)
Advantages of a private transfer
You can order a child seat. In Turkey, it is not customary to use a holding device in taxi, and it will be difficult to find a taxi cab with it.
You will not become a victim of deception. Taxi drivers in Turkey often deviate from the route, take a longer way or use the night fare, which was canceled many years ago. The transfer fee is known in advance, and after the advance payment, nothing can change it.
You will leave for the hotel immediately upon arrival. As for taxi, you need to find it in the parking lot or wait for its arrival. And if you use a transfer from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the city, meeting with the driver Kiwitaxi is organized as close to the arrival zone as possible, so you do not have to wander searching for the car.
The same price as for a taxi. A trip by taxi on average will cost you 50 dollars, and by transfer - 54 dollars.
Transfer from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport vs. Public Transport
Advantages of a private transfer
You go without a change. In order to get to the historic center of the city by public transport, you need to make three or four changes.
You save time. You will reach the place from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen in 45 minutes by transfer. Choosing public transportation, you spend one hour on a trip. And after, you still need to make two changes, spend time on the way from one stop to the other, and wait for the transport you need.
You can leave even after midnight. The transfer service is available round the clock, while public transport is only available until 00:00.
You will not go with suitcases in aisle. Only the shuttle has a luggage compartment but on this transport, you will travel only part of the way.
You will not stand in line to get a transport card. In public transport in Turkey, cash is not accepted - only tokens or cards. They are sold at special machines. During rush hours, there are long queues to buy them.
You do not need to exchange currency upon arrival. The machine for the sale of travel tokens and cards accepts only cash in Turkish lira. You can pay for the transfer online with a bank card.
Disadvantage of a private transfer
It's much more expensive. The maximum fare with all changes and cost of a travel card will make about 5 dollars in total.
