Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
Airport Overview
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (IATA: SAW, ICAO: LTFJ) is Istanbul's second international airport and the primary hub for Turkey's low-cost carriers, most notably Pegasus Airlines. Named after Sabiha Gökçen — the world's first female combat pilot and adopted daughter of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk — the airport is located on Istanbul's Asian side, in the Pendik and Kurtköy districts, approximately 45 km southeast of Taksim Square (European side) and just 35 km from the Anatolian city centre of Kadıköy. It opened on 8 January 2001, originally as a regional facility, but has since expanded dramatically into a full international airport.
SAW serves as the primary hub for <strong>Pegasus Airlines</strong> — Turkey's second-largest carrier and one of Europe's major low-cost airlines — as well as a significant base for AnadoluJet (Turkish Airlines' domestic low-cost subsidiary), SunExpress, and various international LCCs. In 2024 Sabiha Gökçen handled approximately 35.4 million passengers, placing it among Turkey's three busiest airports alongside Istanbul Airport (IST) and Antalya (AYT). The airport's catchment area is primarily Istanbul's large, fast-growing Anatolian (Asian) side population, which accounts for roughly half of Istanbul's 15 million metropolitan residents.
The terminal was originally designed by Limak-GMR-MAHB consortium and opened in 2009 as a replacement for the original 2001 terminal. A significant expansion and modernisation was completed in 2013, bringing the single integrated terminal to its current 14 million annual design capacity — a figure that has been routinely exceeded, necessitating ongoing operational and infrastructure improvements. The airport sits on Istanbul's Asian side, which means European-side travellers face a significant cross-city journey (sea bus, metro, bus, or bridge crossing), a factor that distinguishes the two Istanbul airports and drives ticket price differences.
A key advantage of SAW is its competitive fare environment: Pegasus and AnadoluJet typically offer significantly lower fares on shared routes compared to Turkish Airlines at IST, and the airport's LCC-focused model means lower fees and often faster turnarounds. SAW connects Istanbul directly to over 120 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa, with particular strength on routes to Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and the Caucasus.
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Terminals & Gates
Single Integrated Terminal
Sabiha Gökçen has a single terminal building that handles both domestic and international operations. The terminal was originally built in 2009 and significantly expanded in 2013. It covers approximately 110,000 sq m and has a design capacity of 14 million passengers per year — a figure that has been routinely exceeded given the airport's rapid growth. The terminal operates on multiple levels:
- Level 3 (Departures): Check-in counters (A1–D60+), security, duty-free, boarding gates. Pegasus Airlines occupies the largest zone.
- Level 2 (Airside): Gate areas, retail, food & beverage, lounges
- Level 1 (Arrivals): Baggage reclaim, customs, arrivals hall, transport
- Level B1 (Basement): Metro M4 station, car park access
Airlines and Zones
- Pegasus Airlines — occupies the majority of the terminal; dedicated Pegasus counters and gates, BizClass check-in rows, and the largest block of gates
- AnadoluJet — Turkish Airlines' domestic LCC; dedicated check-in counters in Zone C
- SunExpress — Charter and leisure carrier; seasonal heavy use
- International: Ryanair (selected routes), Wizz Air, EasyJet (selected), Air Arabia, FlySaudi, and multiple European charters
Lounges
- Primeclass Lounge (Airside, International) — Priority Pass, Lounge Key, DragonPass; walk-in ~₺800 (~€22.40). Hot food, bar, showers.
- Primeclass Lounge (Domestic) — Similar access; walk-in ~₺600 (~€16.80)
- Pegasus Plus Lounge — For Pegasus BizClass and Pegasus Plus status passengers
- Both lounges accessible pre-security for eligible passengers with same-day boarding pass
Facilities
- Duty-free (Unifree): spirits, tobacco, cosmetics, confectionery — competitive prices
- Retail: Vakko, English Home, Lokal Istanbul souvenir shop, WHSmith equivalent
- Dining: Burger King, Sbarro, local Turkish concepts (kebab, börek), Starbucks, tea houses
- Prayer room: Level 2 airside (international side), with ablution facilities
- Medical centre: Level 1, near arrivals
- Baby care rooms: Level 3 (departures) and Level 1 (arrivals)
- ATMs: Multiple throughout all levels; use for Turkish Lira withdrawal
Transportation Guide
Getting to and from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
SAW's location on Istanbul's Asian side is both an advantage (for Asian-side residents — very accessible) and a challenge (for European-side travellers crossing the Bosphorus). The city's two bridges (Bosphorus Bridge/15 Temmuz, and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge) carry heavy traffic, especially during peak hours, making journeys from the European side potentially slow. The Marmaray rail tunnel under the Bosphorus and sea bus (IDO ferry) options provide traffic-free alternatives for passengers arriving from the European side.
Metro — M4 Line
The Istanbul Metro M4 line connects Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy on the Asian shore, where passengers can transfer to the Marmaray commuter rail under the Bosphorus or take a ferry to the European side:
- SAW → Sabiha Gökçen → Pendik → Göztepe → Kadıköy: ~35 minutes
- From Kadıköy: Marmaray to Sirkeci/Yenikapı (~15 min) or IDO ferry to Eminönü/Bostancı (~20–30 min)
- Total journey Airport → Taksim (European centre): approximately 90–100 minutes via metro + Marmaray + metro
- Fare: ₺35–50 (~€1–1.40) per leg; use Istanbulkart for discounted fares
- Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes during peak hours
- Operating hours: ~06:00–00:30
- Metro station is inside the terminal (Level B1 — arrivals/basement level)
Havaş Airport Bus
Havaş operates dedicated airport express coaches from SAW to key European-side destinations. These are the most popular choice for passengers crossing to the European side:
- SAW → Taksim Square: ~75–120 min depending on traffic; ₺130 (~€3.65); departs every 30 minutes 04:00–02:00
- SAW → Kadıköy (Asian side): ~30–45 min; ₺90 (~€2.55); frequent departures
- SAW → Istanbul Airport (IST): ~90–120 min direct Havaş transfer bus; ₺200 (~€5.60) — essential for connection passengers
- Tickets purchased at Havaş counter (arrivals hall, ground floor) or via app
Sea Bus (IDO Ferry) — Tuzla/Pendik
Istanbul's sea buses (IDO) offer a traffic-free scenic option. The nearest ferry terminal is Tuzla Pier (~15 min taxi from SAW) or Pendik Ferry Terminal (~10 min taxi):
- Pendik → Yenikapı (European side): ~55–65 minutes; ₺100 (~€2.80)
- Ferries run 06:00–22:00 with limited late-night service
- Practical only if timing aligns; taxi to ferry terminal costs ₺60–100 (~€1.70–2.80)
Taxi
- Official yellow taxis from the airport taxi rank (outside arrivals)
- To Kadıköy (Asian centre): ~₺350–500 (~€9.80–14)
- To Taksim (European side): ~₺600–900 (~€16.80–25.20) depending on traffic and bridge crossing
- Journey time: 30–45 min to Kadıköy; 60–90 min to Taksim (off-peak); up to 2 hours in peak traffic
- Ensure meter is running; request receipt (fiş)
Ride-Sharing (Uber & BiTaksi)
- Uber operates in Istanbul; pickup zones outside arrivals. Similar pricing to official taxis.
- BiTaksi (Turkish ride-hailing app) also available; often slightly cheaper than Uber
- Note: Turkish taxi drivers and Uber drivers use the same metered pricing in practice
Car Rental
- Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Enterprise desks in arrivals hall
- Access to D-100 (E-80) highway and TEM motorway for Anatolia; Bosphorus bridges for European side
| Transport | To Kadıköy (Asian) | To Taksim (European) | Price (approx.) | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro M4 | 35 min | 90–100 min (with transfers) | ₺35–50 (~€1–1.40) | 06:00–00:30 |
| Havaş Bus (Taksim) | — | 75–120 min | ₺130 (~€3.65) | 04:00–02:00 |
| Taxi | 30–45 min | 60–120 min | ₺350–900 (~€9.80–25) | 24/7 |
| Uber/BiTaksi | 30–45 min | 60–120 min | ₺300–800 (~€8.40–22.40) | 24/7 |
| Ferry (from Pendik) | 10 min (to pier) | 65 min (ferry to Yenikapı) | ₺100 (~€2.80) + taxi | 06:00–22:00 |
Hotels Near the Airport
Hotels at / Adjacent to SAW
- DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Pendik ★★★★ — 10-min drive; free shuttle. Rates ₺2,500–5,000/night (~€70–140). Pool, restaurant.
- Holiday Inn Istanbul Airport — Sabiha Gokcen ★★★★ — 5-min drive; shuttle available. Rates ₺2,000–4,000/night (~€56–112).
- Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul Ataşehir ★★★★ — 25-min drive (Ataşehir business district). Rates ₺2,000–3,500/night (~€56–98).
Budget Options Near SAW
- ibis Istanbul Esenyurt — Budget, further from airport but well-priced. ₺800–1,500/night (~€22.40–42).
- Various Pendik and Kurtköy hotels — OYO-equivalent Turkish budget hotels in Pendik district from ₺600–1,200/night (~€16.80–33.60). Limited international standards but functional for a night.
City-Side Options (Asian)
- Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamış Marina ★★★★★ — Kadıköy waterfront; 40 min. Rates ₺4,000–8,000/night (~€112–224).
- ibis Istanbul Kadıköy ★★★ — Budget, Asian side centre. ₺1,200–2,200/night (~€33.60–61.60).
Parking Options & Rates
Parking at Sabiha Gökçen Airport
| Type | Location | First Hour | Daily | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short Stay (Open/Covered) | Direct terminal access | ₺60 (~€1.68) | ₺400–500 (~€11.20–14) | — |
| Long Stay | 5-min walk/shuttle | ₺40 (~€1.12) | ₺280–350 (~€7.84–9.80) | ₺1,500 (~€42) |
| Express Drop-off | Terminal forecourt | Free 15 min | — | — |
| Valet | Departures entrance | — | ₺600 (~€16.80) | — |
- Pre-book at sabihagokcen.aero for 15–20% discount on long stay
- EV charging bays in the covered car park (Level P2)
- Accessible parking bays near the terminal entrance
Services & Facilities
WiFi
Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal under the "SAW Free WiFi" network. Connect and verify via SMS OTP. Speeds are adequate for browsing and messaging (10–25 Mbps). Available both before and after security. For sustained fast speeds, the Primeclass Lounge offers dedicated broadband.
Shopping & Dining
- Duty-free (Unifree): Competitive Turkish pricing on spirits (Türk Rakısı, Kavaklidere wines), tobacco, Ülker chocolates, Turkish delight, and cosmetics. Generally good value vs other European airports.
- Dining: Burger King, Sbarro, local kebab and köfte restaurants, Starbucks, traditional Turkish tea houses. Limited fine-dining options — SAW is function-first.
- 24-hour options: vending machines and 1–2 kiosks in the arrivals hall
Currency Exchange & ATMs
- Multiple exchange offices (PTT, private bureaux) in arrivals and departures
- ATMs throughout terminal: Garanti BBVA, İş Bankası, Yapı Kredi — accept Visa/Mastercard/Amex
- Turkish Lira cash is useful for taxis and local buses; most airport retail accepts cards
Luggage Storage
- Left luggage service at Level 1 (arrivals): approximately ₺150–250/bag/24 hrs (~€4.20–7)
- Luggage wrapping service also available in the arrivals hall
Smoking
Sabiha Gökçen is a no-smoking terminal indoors. Designated outdoor smoking zones at Level 3 departures (landside, before security) and outside the arrivals exit. No airside smoking areas.
Medical & Prayer
- Medical centre: Level 1, near the arrivals exit. Open 24/7.
- Prayer room (namaz odası): Level 2 airside (international) and near departures; ablution facilities available. Prominently signposted — SAW serves a large Muslim passenger base.
Airlines & Destinations
Hub Airlines
- Pegasus Airlines — Primary hub; 60+ based aircraft at SAW. Operates 130+ routes across Europe, Middle East, Caucasus, Central Asia, and domestic Turkey. Main alliance: none (independent LCC).
- AnadoluJet — Turkish Airlines LCC subsidiary; extensive domestic Turkey network plus selected Middle East routes from SAW.
- SunExpress — Joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa; leisure/charter focus to Germany, Austria, Switzerland.
Key International Airlines
- Ryanair (selected European), Wizz Air, Flydubai, Air Arabia, IndiGo (Istanbul–Indian cities), SCAT Airlines (Kazakhstan), Buta Airways (Azerbaijan)
Top Routes from SAW
| Route | Airlines | Type |
|---|---|---|
| SAW–Ankara (ESB) | Pegasus, AnadoluJet | Busiest domestic |
| SAW–Izmir (ADB) | Pegasus, AnadoluJet | High frequency domestic |
| SAW–Berlin (BER) | Pegasus, SunExpress | Top Europe route |
| SAW–Amsterdam (AMS) | Pegasus | Popular Europe |
| SAW–London Stansted (STN) | Pegasus | UK gateway |
| SAW–Paris Beauvais (BVA) | Pegasus | Budget Paris option |
| SAW–Dubai (DXB) | Pegasus, Flydubai | Gulf hub |
| SAW–Tbilisi (TBS) | Pegasus | Caucasus |
Distances & Travel Times
Distances from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport
| Destination | Distance | By Car | By Public Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadıköy (Asian centre) | 35 km | 30–50 min | 35 min (Metro M4) |
| Ataşehir (Business District) | 25 km | 25–40 min | 30 min (Metro M4) |
| Taksim Square (European) | 45 km | 60–120 min | 90–100 min (metro+Marmaray) |
| Sultanahmet (Old City) | 50 km | 65–120 min | 95–110 min |
| Beşiktaş / Galata | 48 km | 60–110 min | 90 min |
| Istanbul Airport (IST) | 90 km (via bridge) | 75–110 min (off-peak) | 90–120 min (Havaş bus) |
| Pendik (nearest suburb) | 8 km | 15 min | 10 min (Metro M4) |
| Princes' Islands (ferry from Bostancı) | 30 km + ferry | 25 min drive + 30 min ferry | 35 min metro + 30 min ferry |
| İzmit / Kocaeli | 80 km | 60–80 min | 90 min (bus) |
Passenger Statistics
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport Traffic Statistics
| Year | Total Passengers | Growth YoY |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31.9M | +12.3% |
| 2020 | 12.1M | –62.1% |
| 2021 | 17.6M | +45.5% |
| 2022 | 28.9M | +64.2% |
| 2023 | 33.7M | +16.6% |
| 2024 | 35.4M | +5.0% |
SAW is Turkey's #3 airport (behind Istanbul IST at ~82M and Antalya AYT at ~35M). Aircraft movements: approximately 240,000–250,000/year (2024). The airport consistently operates above its stated 14M design capacity — a result of Pegasus Airlines' aggressive network expansion and Istanbul's position as a major European-Turkish transit hub. Domestic traffic accounts for approximately 40% of total movements; European routes dominate international traffic (Germany, Netherlands, UK, France).
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Contact Information
General Information
Phone: +90 216 588 8888
24/7
Official Website
Emergency (Turkey)
Phone: 112
Social Media
Twitter: @saw_airport
Facebook: SabihaGokcenAirport
Instagram: @sabihagokcenairport
Lost & Found
Phone: +90 216 588 8510
Location: Level 1, Arrivals Hall near information desk
Open: 08:00–22:00
Pro Tips for Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport
- The duty-free at SAW (Unifree) has genuinely competitive prices on Turkish spirits, especially Rakı (Yeni Rakı brand) and local wines. These are significantly cheaper than at European airports and make excellent gifts. The allowance for EU-bound passengers is 1 litre spirits duty-free.
- Primeclass Lounge (international, Level 2 airside) tends to be quieter than expected because many SAW passengers are LCC travellers without lounge access. If you have Priority Pass, this is an underused gem — usually plenty of space even during peak departures.
- The prayer room (Level 2, international airside) is well-maintained and spacious — located near Gate 207. Signage is in Turkish and English. Ablution facilities are directly adjacent and always functional.
- If your Pegasus flight is delayed, check the display boards frequently — gate changes are common at SAW due to apron congestion, and announcements may be only in Turkish initially.
- Buy an Istanbulkart (stored-value transit card) at the Metro station kiosk in the basement of SAW — it works on all Istanbul metro, bus, and ferry services and gives discounted fares vs single tickets. The card costs ₺100 (~€2.80) including ₺50 initial credit.
- If flying Pegasus, complete online check-in and use the bag-drop queue to skip the full check-in line. Pegasus charges for checked bags — know your allowance before arriving at the counter to avoid surprise fees.
- The cross-city journey from European Istanbul (Taksim, Sultanahmet) to SAW should be treated as at least 90 minutes minimum, and 2+ hours during morning/evening rush hours. Many travellers miss flights underestimating the Bosphorus crossing delay.
- Check Pegasus's hand luggage size rules carefully — they are strictly enforced at SAW. The standard free allowance is 55x40x20 cm; larger bags require purchase of cabin baggage allowance or checked baggage.
- Booking a connecting itinerary through SAW and IST without enough time. The two airports are 90 km apart across Istanbul — minimum 3.5–4 hours between flights is needed. Airlines do not protect inter-airport connections; if you miss one, you are responsible for rebooking.
- Expecting IST-level long-haul connections at SAW. Sabiha Gökçen is primarily a short/medium-haul LCC hub. Long-haul beyond the Gulf and a few Asian cities is not available — if you need transatlantic or East Asian flights, you'll need IST (Turkish Airlines) or a connection elsewhere.
- Using unofficial exchange kiosks in the arrivals hall that display attractive rates in the window but apply high commissions on the actual transaction. Always use bank ATMs (Garanti, İş Bankası) for Turkish Lira — you'll get the real exchange rate minus your bank's ATM fee.