Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is a modern and increasingly busy international airport located on the Asian side of Istanbul. It is a significant hub, particularly for low-cost carriers like Pegasus Airlines and AJet. Facilities include a single, modern terminal building that accommodates domestic and international flights, with a wide array of amenities. Passengers can find numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, duty-free shopping, lounges, and sleep pods for those needing rest. The airport provides essential services such as currency exchange, ATMs, baggage storage, and medical assistance. A metro line, buses, and taxis facilitate access to Istanbul’s city centre.
Compared to Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gökçen often caters to a different segment of travellers, particularly those seeking budget-friendly options. Its location on the Asian side can be advantageous for those staying in that part of the city, potentially reducing travel time. While IST boasts a larger scale and broader range of international connections, SAW is known for its efficiency and focus on point-to-point travel, primarily within Türkiye and to regional destinations. The growth of SAW has been rapid, and it continues to expand its facilities and connections.
Location: İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen uluslararası Havalimanı, Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul – Website: Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) Official English Website
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) – Table of Contents
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) Overview
Opened in 2001, Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is Istanbul’s second-largest airport and is located on the Asian side in the Pendik district. It is named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world’s first female fighter pilot, and is managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB). Covering 655,000 square meters, it has a single terminal with 112 check-in counters and two runways, one newly opened in 2023 to improve capacity. Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) handled approximately 36 million passengers in 2023, which made it one of the busiest single-runway airports in the world. The airport is a central hub for Pegasus Airlines, with Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet also operating significant routes. The busiest international destinations include Dubai, London, Frankfurt, and Baku, while Izmir, Antalya, and Ankara are the top domestic routes.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is located 32 km from Taksim. It is well-connected to the city via the M4 Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen metro line, which provides direct metro access to the Asian side. Havabus and IETT buses run frequent services to Kadıköy, Taksim, and surrounding areas. Taxis and private transfer options are also available. It can be a convenient alternative to Istanbul Airport (IST), especially for travellers heading to the Asian side, Bursa, or Yalova. While smaller than Istanbul Airport (IST), its expansion projects, including a second terminal under construction, are set to increase its capacity and efficiency further.
Passenger Services General
Internet
Sabiha Gökçen Airport provides wireless internet access, though it operates with some limitations. Passengers can access a limited period (one hour) of free Wi-Fi by following a registration process that involves downloading the Sabiha Gökçen Airport App, clicking on the “Free Wifi” tab, and receiving and inputting a PIN code via SMS or registering through a “WiSpotter” kiosk. For extended internet usage, paid Wi-Fi services are available through “WiSpotter” kiosks located throughout the terminal. Additionally, some cafes and restaurants within the airport offer Wi-Fi networks, usually requiring a purchase.
Drinking Water Fountains
Unfortunately, there are no drinking water fountains at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Still Water can be purchased from outlets or vending machines in the departure and arrival halls, typically for less than €1.00 for 500ml.
Retail and Duty Free
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) offers a decent selection of retail and duty-free shops, catering to the needs of departing passengers. As is typical in international airports, various stores sell cosmetics, perfumes, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, confectionery, and travel accessories. Some shops also feature local Turkish products and souvenirs. While the variety is adequate, it’s far less extensive than Istanbul Airport (IST). The airport also provides a selection of food and beverage outlets, including cafes, restaurants, and fast-food chains, offering diverse dining options.
With the high duties, especially on alcohol and electronics in Türkiye, duty-free items at SAW are generally cheaper than those in regular city shops. However, the price difference might not always be substantial, and it’s advisable to compare prices, especially for high-value items, before making a purchase. SAW’s retail and duty-free offerings are moderately sized compared to other major airports. While it may not compete with the luxury shopping experiences found in some other international hubs, it fulfils the basic needs of travellers and provides a convenient opportunity to purchase last-minute items.
Food and Beverage Outlets
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) provides a reasonable selection of dining options, catering to various tastes and preferences. There is a mix of international and Turkish cuisine, including fast-food chains, cafes, and restaurants. Popular choices available landside and airside, domestic and international, include familiar names like Starbucks and Burger King and local Turkish eateries such as Simit Sarayı, Mado, Usta Dönerci (international only), and HD Döner (domestic only), offering döner kebabs, pide, and other traditional dishes. Cafes also serve pastries, sandwiches, and hot and cold beverages. The airport features a few bars where passengers can enjoy alcoholic drinks before their flights. While the range is sufficient for a mid-sized airport, it is not as extensive or diverse as the dining options at Istanbul Airport (IST). Like most airports, restaurants and cafes at SAW tend to be more expensive than similar establishments in the city. Expect to pay a premium for meals and drinks compared to what you would find in Istanbul’s city centre.
The food and drink prices on the landside and those on the airside in domestic are identical. As of March 2025 in Simit Sarayı, a medium café latte is the Turkish Lira equivalent of €5.00, and a cheese omelette is approximately €6.00. In Burger King, a medium Coca-Cola is the Turkish Lira equivalent of €2.00, and a Double Whopper is approximately €10.00.
Airport Terminal Hotel and Resting Areas
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) offers limited options for travellers seeking rest, sleep, or overnight stays; its facilities are more limited than those of other international hubs. SAW has tried to improve passenger comfort, but still lacks free dedicated resting/sleep zones or sleeping areas in premium lounges. Within the airport area is an aside capsule area and a traditional airport hotel operated by the airport. There are international hotels near the airport that are accessible by hotel shuttles or by one stop on the M4 metro.
Kepler Club at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is a modern, capsule-style sleeping facility for travellers seeking rest and privacy during layovers or before flights. It is located airside inside the international terminal and offers compact yet comfortable sleeping pods with amenities like USB ports, reading lights, and ventilation systems. The club provides a quiet and secure environment, with hourly rental options, luggage storage, and shower facilities, catering to short-stay and overnight guests. There are 28 units for men, 14 for women and 5 family rooms. Its futuristic design and efficient use of space make it a convenient choice for passengers looking for relaxation within the airport. Capsules are bookable by the hour on the Kepler Club website. As of March 2025, they were priced at €12.50 per hour.
Several hotels near the airport offer shuttle services for easy access for those preferring more traditional accommodations. Options include the 128-room ISG Airport Hotel, adjacent to the airport terminal, and several other nearby hotels of international quality, such as the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Istanbul Tuzla, Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Kurtköy, and Ibis Styles Istanbul Kurtköy.
Business Lounges
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) offers several lounges designed to provide comfort and convenience for travellers. The Plaza Premium Lounge, located in both domestic and international terminals, offers a relaxing atmosphere with comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, shower facilities, and a selection of newspapers and magazines. The lounge is accessible to passengers with eligible credit cards, lounge membership programs like Priority Pass, or those willing to pay for entry. Additionally, the ISG Lounge in the international terminal provides similar amenities, including private relaxation areas, business facilities, and a selection of hot and cold meals.
Access to these lounges varies based on airline class, membership programs, and paid entry options. Business class passengers flying with select airlines typically enjoy complimentary access, while economy travellers can enter by purchasing a pass or using memberships such as LoungeKey, DragonPass, or Priority Pass. Some premium credit cards also grant free entry to their holders. These lounges are ideal for passengers with long layovers or early departures, offering a quiet space away from the busy terminal to work, refresh, or unwind before a flight.
Storage Lockers & Left Luggage
Sabiha Gökçen Airport provides two 24/7 luggage storage facilities in the arrivals hall close to the international arrivals exit and escalators to the Metro. Store Go Left Luggage and Emanet Bagaj. Passengers can store items for varying durations, with fees depending on the luggage size and storage period. As of March 2025, the Turkish Lira equivalent price for lockers ranged from €1.50 – €14.00 /day in Store Go (small items to XXL luggage) and €1.50 – €14.00 /day in Emanet Bagagj (tiny items or documents to XXL luggage). The first day is paid in advance, and any additional days are charged for baggage collection. No discount is given for partial days.
Smoking Areas
Smoking is prohibited within the enclosed areas of Sabiha Gökçen Airport; however, designated smoking terraces are available in both the domestic and international airside areas, allowing passengers to smoke after passing through security. The terrace is located at the far end of the terminal near domestic departure gate 212 for domestic departures. For international departures, the terraces are located at the far end of the terminal between international departure gates 201 and 202 and adjacent to the Plaza Premium Lounge Marmara near gate 204.
Security and Passport Control
Travellers first undergo an initial security screening at the terminal entrances, including from the M4 Metro line, where luggage is scanned and passengers pass through metal detectors. After check-in, they conduct a second, more thorough security check before accessing the departure gates. This includes additional X-ray screening for carry-on items and personal inspections if necessary. For international departures, passengers must also pass through passport control before reaching their gates. The airport has multiple security lanes to manage passenger flow, though peak hours can still lead to some delays.
For passport control, SAW has approximately 12 to 15 desks for departing passengers and a similar number for arrivals. During off-peak hours, wait times for passport control typically range from 10 to 15 minutes, but during busy periods, such as early mornings, evenings, and holiday seasons, queues can extend up to 30 minutes or longer. Arriving passengers also face passport control, where wait times are generally similar, depending on the volume of incoming flights and staffing levels. Turkish citizens can use automated e-gates for faster processing, while foreign passport holders must pass standard immigration checks.
Transportation Services at Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Istanbul Metro Line (M4)
The M4 Kadıköy-Sabiha Gökçen Airport Metro Line connects to the Kadikoy (T3) Moda Tram, ferries and sea lines from Kadikoy Station, the Marmaray train line from Ayrılık Çeşmesi Station and the Metrobüs from Ünalan Station. The M4 metro operates daily from 06:00 to 00:00 (midnight). Trains run at frequent intervals, typically every 5 to 9 minutes, five minutes during peak hours and slightly less frequently during off-peak times.
While the M4 does not have a dedicated night service, on Friday and Saturday nights (Saturday and Sunday mornings), Istanbul’s metro system runs a limited 24-hour service; trains operate at reduced frequency after midnight, with trains running every 30 minutes between 00:00 and 06:00 Saturday and Sunday morning.
The main stations of note from Sabiha Gökçen Airport are (2nd) Kurtköy – several international hotels, (16th) Kozyatağı – intersects with the M8 metro line that links to Bostancı, the Mamaray Train line and ferries to Princes’ Islands, (19th) Ünalan – intersects with the Metrobus line for connection to the European side including the commercial area of Şişli-Mecidiyeköy, (21st) Arılık Çeşmesi – directly intersects with the Marmaray for direct line to the historical centre Sirkeci and Yenikapı, and the final stop Kadıköy, very much a destination in itself with its vibrant entertainment environment, and also ferries to the European side including Karaköy and Beşiktaş.
The Sabiha Gökçen Airport Metro (M4 Metro Line) running to Kadıköy has three entrances: No: 1 from the domestic terminal CIP hall & carpark, No: 2 from the Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel and No: 3 directly from the terminal. The M4 is reached from the Sabiha Gökçen Airport arrivals hall by turning left inside the terminal after baggage claim/customs and descending the escalator closest to the international arrivals exit. A long underground corridor leads to the metro station, and the ticket machines are close to the metro entrance barriers (see below).
To access the metro, passengers can purchase an Istanbulkart or Blue Istanbul City Card from the metro station ticket hall vending machines. The Istanbulkart is by far the most efficient way of travelling around Istanbul after purchasing the card a single trip with no changes such as Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy is the TL equivalent of around €0.70 (in March 2025). The Istanbulkart can be topped up and used on metros, trams, trains, buses, metrobuses, ferries, funiculars, cable cars and services such as public toilets. It has been known that Istanbulkart is not always available at the airport, and to get the full benefits of the card, such as discounted shorter journeys, it should be registered with a Turkish resident. The Blue Istanbul City Card is more expensive but still good value for money and operates on a time allowance basis for unlimited travel with 1-day (≈€14), 3-day (≈€26), 5-day (≈€50), 7-day (≈€66), and 15-day (≈€99) passes.
Note that while the payment of Istanbul’s transportation system is integrated, the connections between lines and transport types are not. You need to exit the metro barriers for each metro line used and re-enter other lines through new barriers. On an Istanbulkart, a new charge is made, but these charges are discounted. Occasionally, the connections can be considerable distances.
Coach Services (Havabus)
Operator: Havabus: Havabus English Website – Pickup & Drop-off Points: SG-2 Taksim Square: Kocatepe, Abdülhak Hamit Cd., 34437 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, – SG-1 Havabus Kadıköy Durağı: Rasimpaşa, İETT Otobüs Peronları, 34716 Kadıköy/İstanbul. Cost: As of March 2025, the Havabus from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy was the TL equivalent of approximately €4.50 and to Taksim €7.00.
The Havabus service is a reliable and cost-effective shuttle bus option for travellers using Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Operated by the airport, it provides convenient transportation between SAW and key locations in Istanbul, such as the SG-2 to Taksim Square and SG-1 to Kadıköy. The buses are modern, air-conditioned, and equipped with comfortable seating and ample luggage storage, making them a practical choice for passengers with bags. Havabus operates 24/7, with buses running approximately every 30 minutes from the airport to Taksim between 06:30 and 00:30. The Kadıköy service is typically every 45 minutes but runs from 06:30 until 01:30. Tickets can be purchased at the Havabus counters inside the airport or directly from the driver. The service is known for its affordability, offering fares significantly lower than taxis or private transfers.
The journey to Taksim Square, on the European side of Istanbul, takes about 90 minutes, depending on traffic, while the trip to Kadıköy, on the Asian side, is shorter, typically around 60 minutes. The SG-2 to Taksim can be convenient for passengers needing to go to the Şişli district since, after crossing the Bosphorus, it stops at Levent and Zincirlikuyu Metrobus. The travel time is generally longer than taxis or private transfers, especially during heavy traffic, and the service only stops at specific locations, meaning passengers may need additional transportation to reach their final destination.
Note also that the HVIST-13 (Istanbul Airport IST) is the most economical and efficient way for passengers transferring between airports.
Bus Services (IETT)
IETT, Istanbul’s public bus service, operates several routes from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), providing affordable transportation to various parts of the city, though, for most tourists, the M4 metro line or Havabus are considerably more effective modes of public transportation. The buses depart from a designated stop outside the terminal and run at frequent intervals, depending on the route. A practical night route (4 buses from SAW between 23:40 and 03:30) is the E-10, which connects SAW to Kadıköy via Pendik, passing through local neighbourhoods. Payments require the Istanbulkart, a contactless travel card valid across Istanbul’s public transport system.
Car Rental Services
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) hosts several international and local car rental companies, including Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Europcar, Garenta, and Budget. The rental desks are located in the arrivals hall, making it easy for passengers to pick up their vehicles shortly after landing. A wide range of cars is available, from economy models for budget-conscious travellers to luxury and SUV options. Most rental agencies offer flexible booking options, including short-term and long-term rentals, with additional services such as GPS navigation, child seats, and insurance packages. Booking in advance online often provides better rates and guarantees vehicle availability.
One key advantage of hiring a car from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) instead of Istanbul Airport (IST) is the airport’s location on the Anatolian (Asian) side of the city, which is more convenient for travellers heading to destinations such as Bursa, Sapanca, or the Black Sea coast. SAW is generally less crowded than IST, leading to shorter waiting times at rental desks and faster vehicle pickup. For travellers planning to explore eastern Türkiye or the southern coast, hiring from SAW allows them to avoid Istanbul’s heavy traffic congestion. Moreover, car rental rates at SAW can sometimes be more competitive than IST, offering a cost-effective alternative for those needing long-term rentals.
Taxi Services
Taxis operating from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) are regulated and readily available 24/7 at the designated taxi stands outside the terminal. The official taxis are yellow and metered, ensuring standardised pricing. In addition to standard yellow taxis, passengers can opt for turquoise taxis, which are slightly more expensive but offer more comfort, or black luxury taxis, which provide a premium service at a higher fare. Taxi fares are calculated based on distance, with no fixed airport surcharge, and payments can be made in cash or by credit card in most vehicles; if card payment is preferred, passengers should check before departing that the taxi payment system is operating.
To ensure a fair charge to the Istanbul centre, passengers should verify that the driver activates the meter at the beginning of the journey. The average fare to central areas like Taksim or Sultanahmet typically ranges from the Turkish Lira equivalent of €35 to €50, depending on traffic conditions and time of day. The trip takes around 45 to 90 minutes, depending on congestion. It’s advisable to avoid unofficial taxis and always take one from the designated airport queue.
Parking
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) offers a large multi-story parking facility near the terminal, providing short-term and long-term parking options. The parking lot has a capacity of over 4,700 vehicles and includes designated areas for disabled passengers, electric vehicle charging stations, and motorcycle parking. The facility is monitored 24/7 with security cameras and personnel. Parking fees at SAW vary depending on the duration of stay, with hourly, daily, and monthly rates available. Payments can be made via cash, credit card, or pre-paid parking services.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) offers a valet parking service for travellers seeking a hassle-free parking experience. Located near the terminal entrance, the service allows passengers to drop off their vehicles with a valet attendant, who then parks the car in a secure area within the airport’s multi-story parking facility. This service is ideal for those in a hurry or seeking added convenience, especially during peak travel times. Upon return, passengers can quickly retrieve their car by notifying the valet service. The valet service operates 24/7, pricing is based on the parking duration, and payments can be made via cash, credit card, or Istanbulkart.
Who Was Sabiha Gökçen?
Sabiha Gökçen (March 1913 – March 2001) from Bursa was Türkiye’s first female combat pilot and one of the world’s first female fighter pilots. She was one of nine children adopted by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who encouraged her to pursue aviation at a time when women had limited opportunities in the field. In 1935, she joined the Türkkuşu (Turkish Bird) Flight School, where she trained as a pilot, later advancing to military aviation. She made history in 1937 by flying combat missions, proving her skill and determination in a traditionally male-dominated field; she participated in 32 military operations.
Throughout her career, Gökçen flew 22 aircraft models, including bombers and fighter jets, and logged over 8,000 flight hours, many of which were on military missions. She gained international recognition and was honoured by the U.S. Air Force in 1996 as the only female pilot included in the “20 Greatest Aviators in History.” Her legacy is commemorated by Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) in Istanbul, named in January 2001, shortly before her death, in her honour as a symbol of her pioneering role in aviation and Turkish history.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) Social Media
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