Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)? Which one to choose

Istanbul has two international airports on opposite sides of the Bosphorus. Many cheap flights from Iraq land at Sabiha Gökçen, while full-service airlines mostly use Istanbul Airport. Choosing the right one can save you time and money on the ground.

Istanbul Airport (IST) — European side

• The main hub, opened in 2018 and one of the largest airports in the world
• Closest to Taksim, Şişli, Beşiktaş and the European side in general
• Reach the city by the M11 metro line, Havaist airport buses, taxi or a pre-booked transfer
• Distances inside the terminal are long — allow extra time to walk to your gate

Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) — Asian side

• Used by many low-cost airlines, so fares are often cheaper
• Convenient for Kadıköy, Ataşehir and the Asian side
• Reach the city by the M4 metro line, Havabus buses, taxi or a transfer
• To the European side (Taksim, Sultanahmet) allow well over an hour, more at rush hour

Don't make this mistake

Never plan a connection between IST and SAW on separate tickets with only a few hours in between. The transfer across the city can take one and a half to two hours or more in traffic, plus check-in and security. If you must, leave at least five to six hours.

Tips for both airports

• The Istanbulkart transport card works on the metro and buses from both airports.
• Arrive about three hours before international flights — security queues can be long.
• Check which airport your flight uses before booking a hotel: when you search with the city code IST, results include both airports.