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Istanbul is one of the world’s biggest cities. It has stood at the center of European, Asian, and African trade for centuries, and it remains an important transit hub today. Istanbul’s two airports receive flights from every corner of the world: the Middle East, Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Australia. Perhaps only Dubai and Doha rival Istanbul as the main hub for the Middle East.
Istanbul is an easy (and often quite affordable) flight from most major European or Middle Eastern cities. It is also one of the most important hubs for African travel, with connections that few other cities offer. Beyond international flights, Istanbul’s two airports operate as major hub for domestic routes across Turkey. You can find flights from Istanbul to all major cities, and many large towns.
Istanbul has two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). Both are large, with connections all over the world. They are located on opposite sides of the city, and indeed on two different continents. IST is on the European side, while SAW is on the Asian side. The two airports have many more differences, however. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between IST and SAW airports, so you can make an informed decision on your visit to Istanbul.
Similarities
Both IST and SAW airports have connections all over the world. They were built to replace Istanbul Ataturk Airport: SAW Airport opened in 2001 and IST Airport opened in 2019, at which point Ataturk Airport closed. Both feel quite modern and new, with sensible and passenger-friendly efficiency throughout.
Istanbul’s airports are comparable in combined number of passengers to London (six airports) and Paris (3 airports). With tens of millions of annual passengers, both understandably get quite busy throughout the year. Consequently, you should plan to arrive at least three hours before your flight. Both airports, like all airports in Turkey, have two levels of security: one checkpoint right at the entrance to the terminal and a second after you drop your bags.
You can get to both IST and SAW using public transport. The M4 Metro goes to SAW while the M11 line goes to IST. In addition, public and private buses go to both from various points within the city. There isn’t a high-speed rail connection as of December 2022, but projects are ongoing to connect both airports to the network. Passengers will eventually have access to a line from each airport to Halkali Station in central Istanbul.
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It takes a long time to get between IST and SAW, since they are located on opposite sides of the city. You can take a bus from one to the other or hire a taxi. However, Istanbul traffic is legendarily awful, so it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours to get from one airport to the other. Make sure above all else that you go to the right airport to catch your flight. Check, then doublecheck. And then triple check. People regularly make this mistake in Istanbul.
Istanbul Airport (IST)
IST is the larger and newer of Istanbul’s two airports. Tens of millions of passengers pass through every year, making it one of the top 10 busiest airports in the world. Istanbul Airport is the hub for Turkish Airlines, which flies to more destinations than any other airline in the world. If you are flying into Istanbul Airport, why not try to do so on Türkiye’s national carrier?
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IST Airport serves mostly national, mainline carriers, while SAW Airport serves budget airlines. There is only one terminal, but it is massive, consisting of Concourses A, B, C, D, F, and G. The terminal is divided into domestic and international gates.
Istanbul Airport is a truly impressive space. This quickly becomes apparent as soon as you arrive. The grand exterior leads in to a sleek, modern, open interior. There’s scarcely a narrow hallway to be found, and ceilings are very high up. Some airports feel claustrophobic, but Istanbul Airport feels cavernous. Still, departure gates feature wood elements that keep the space from feeling clinical. It is a wonderful airport to wait for a flight.
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While you may wish simply to wander around the massive space during your layover, Istanbul Airport offers tons of amenities while you wait. First, there is more seating in this airport than I think I’ve seen in any other airport in the world. In addition, there are countless restaurants and shops both airside and landside. You can even visit the Istanbul Airport Museum, where you can view some important cultural objects from around Turkey.
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Istanbul Airport offers one hour of free wi-fi. It also offers numerous lounges, so if you’re traveling business or first class, you have your pick. If not, you can pay about €50 for access to some of them.
Getting to/from IST
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Istanbul Airport is about 30 miles from the center of town, on the European side. It is a bit of a haul from central Istanbul, but you do have options to choose from. First, Metro line M11 goes to Kagithane station; the line will eventually extend to Gayrettepe station. The metro is the fastest and cheapest way to get into town. Journey time from Kagithane is about 30 minutes.
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Alternatively, there are public and private buses available to shuttle passengers to or from the airport. IETT public buses run several routes into the city center. Each route has at least one stop at a metro/tram stop, so you can connect easily. These regular city buses are cheaper and functional enough, but luggage space is limited, and they can take a long time to get where you want to go.
Both bus and metro use the IstanbulKart smart card. Pick one up from the machines next to the airport stops. Have cash as not all machines take cards. You can use it for your entire time in Istanbul and top up at machines around the city as needed.
If you want a more private bus experience, Havaist operates luxury coaches along 11 routes, with some 40 stops between them. Buses feature comfortable seats, dedicated USB outlets, and of luggage storage. Like city buses, some routes stop outside metro stations for easy connections. You can book Havaist bus seats online ahead of time, or at the airport outside the bus. Unfortunately, Havaist buses can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to get into town.
Finally, you can use taxis or Uber. These are available 24/7 and take about 40 minutes to get into town. Make sure taxi drivers turn on the meter, as scams are notoriously common in Istanbul.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
Istanbul’s second airport, Sabiha Gökçen International, is on the Asian side of the city. SAW is Istanbul’s budget airline hub, serving AnadoluJet and Pegasus Airlines among others. Like IST, SAW flies all over the world, though with fewer destinations and (usually) shorter routes. While it may not be as flashy as IST, SAW is still modern, functional, and offers all the services you need.
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SAW Airport is smaller than IST, but still sees tens of millions of passengers annually. As a result, it feels much more crowded. Expect longer lines at check in, restaurants, lounge entry, gates, and everywhere else. In addition, gates feel much more crowded, and seating is in short supply. Allow for plenty of time to navigate the crowds at the airport.
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Despite its smaller size, SAW Airport offers plenty of shops and restaurants both landside and airside. Wi-fi is available for a fee. There are several lounges, which you can pay to enter if you aren’t a business/first class traveler. As an added bonus, the lounges here are cheaper than they are at IST; I paid about €20-25 for entry when I visited in December 2022. If you’re on a long layover, there is a hotel at the airport, and several more hotels a few miles to the north.
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Getting to/from SAW Airport
SAW Airport has numerous transport methods to get you into the center of Istanbul. First, the M4 metro line extends from the airport to Kadıköy on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. From here, you can take another metro line or the Marmaray rail line to connect anywhere in central Istanbul. This option takes about 50 minutes and is both easy and affordable.
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Alternatively, IETT city buses E10 and E11 go to Taksim and Kadıköy; they depart from a bus loop located right across from the arrivals side door. Both the metro and IETT buses use the IstanbulKart for payment. Purchase from machines next to the station and in the bus loop. Pay and top up with cash.
Private buses are available as well. Like at IST Airport, Havaist operates routes from SAW airport into the city center. You can book online or buy a ticket from the driver on or out front of the bus. Additionally, there are private/shared van transfers that take passengers directly to hotels across Istanbul. While pricy, these are the most direct option you can select, though you are at the mercy of traffic. You can book these online too, just check reviews first.
Finally, taxis are always available, and operate 24/7. Choose between budget orange taxis, nicer turquoise taxis, or luxury black taxis. Taxi drivers are notoriously dishonest, so always make sure the meter is turned on and be on the lookout for tricks.
Uber is also available at SAW Airport, though it will still be a regular taxi. Still, Uber is a safer and more regulated option than hailing a taxi from the arrivals lane.
Which is Better for You?
Both IST and SAW are fine airports, with modern and efficient layouts and plenty of services to make your visit easier. There are hotels if you have an early morning or a long layover, and countless shops and restaurants. Neither are close to the city center, but both have myriad transport options to get where you need to go. IST Airport is further from the center, but on the European side, so you don’t have to think about how to cross the Bosphorus to the main tourist areas.
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Istanbul Airport (IST) is the better airport of the two, all things considered. IST is new, big, flashy, modern, has more seating, handles crowds better, and has more to do. Since IST is so huge, there is plenty of room to stretch your legs. There is even a museum with artifacts from all over Turkey.
If you’re coming from North America or Asia, or on a mainline carrier from Europe or the Middle East, you’re more likely to arrive in IST. It makes for an excellent first impression to Turkey, and to Istanbul, though the airport has its downsides as well.
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IST is a huge airport. It is all in one huge building, so it takes a long time to get around. Expect at least a 10-minute walk to your gate, and as long as 20 minutes. SAW Airport is smaller and easier to get around, but it gets uncomfortably overcrowded.
While IST does have free wi-fi for up to an hour, it is very complicated to use. You’ll need to find a kiosk where you can scan your passport, then get a code to use.
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Despite a few annoyances, and its large size, IST is the nicer airport, more prepared for crowds and with plenty of room and amenities for everyone.
Final Thoughts
No matter whether you fly through Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, make sure to double check which one your flight departs from before showing up. It seems obvious, but countless travelers make this very mistake every year, and there isn’t a fast way between the two airports. There are buses and taxis, but these take up to two hours or longer. Take a few extra minutes to be sure to save you hours of travel and a major headache.
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Istanbul is one of the world’s great cities. Even if you aren’t planning a visit, you might end up passing through on your way somewhere else, since Istanbul is a major air hub. If this is the case, you’ll need to know what to expect from either IST or SAW airport during your layover. I hope this guide has answered questions about both airports and clears up some confusing elements. Already planning a trip to Istanbul? Why not check out my article about what to see and do here?