Sabiha Gökçen Airport, with its domestic and international terminals spread over a large area, has been providing transportation services since 2001 and is considered one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe. Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen Airport is about 50 km from Taksim and 40 km from Kadıköy. Situated just 5 km from the E-5 highway, the airport served 41.4 million passengers in 2024. With its VIP lounges, hotels, shopping areas, travel agencies and dining options, Sabiha Gökçen Airport continues to impress. Both on the European and Asian sides, Istanbul carries millions of people every day with dozens of public transport options and has one of the world’s most extensive transportation networks. Although traffic can be heavy at times, web-based applications help you decide which route or vehicle will get you to your destination faster. In addition to trains, metro, Marmaray, buses, minibuses, taxis, shared taxis and ferries, you can also easily reach anywhere in Istanbul by using private transportation options such as taxis and ride-hailing apps. In this article, we answered the most frequently asked questions about transportation to Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

How to Get to the City Center from Sabiha Gökçen Airport?

Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located about 11 kilometers from Pendik Ferry Terminal and Pendik Train Station. It is approximately 50 kilometers from Taksim and 40 kilometers from Kadıköy. Therefore, in addition to public transportation such as buses, you can also reach the airport by using metro, ferry and train connections, or if you are in a hurry, by renting a car or taking a taxi.

Public Transportation (Havabus Shuttles, IETT Buses, Metro)

Havabus Shuttles

Havabus shuttles are an ideal way to travel from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Taksim or Kadıköy, with fees varying depending on your destination. They depart from just across the arrivals floor exit of the terminal building, and the white buses marked HAVABUS go directly to Point Hotel and Divan Hotel in Taksim. The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. Another route of these shuttles is Kadıköy. The Kadıköy Havabus departs from the IETT stops at the pier, following Yeni Sahra, the TEM connection road and then Kadıköy. To reach Sultanahmet, you can first take the Havabus to Kadıköy, then the Kadıköy–Eminönü ferry to Sirkeci, and finally the tram to Sultanahmet Square.

Metro

It is now possible to reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport directly by metro via the M4 Kadıköy – Sabiha Gökçen Metro Line. The airport metro station is integrated into the terminal, and services run between 06:00 and 23:59 towards Kadıköy. During peak hours, trains run every 4 to 7 minutes.

IETT Buses

After leaving Sabiha Gökçen Airport, you can easily reach Taksim and other nearby districts using IETT buses. Bus lines include E3 to 4th Levent, E9 to Bostancı, E10 to Kurtköy and Kadıköy, E11 to Kadıköy, E18 to Ümraniye and Altunizade, and 132H to the Pendik/Hospital area. Tickets can be purchased for single rides and prices vary depending on your destination. If you plan to stay longer in Istanbul, you can use an Istanbulkart for more affordable travel.

Private Transportation (Car Rental, Taxi)

Car Rental

If you are driving from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul’s city center, you can use either the TEM or E-5 highways, both of which are only about 1.5 kilometers away. From there, you can easily reach almost anywhere in the city by following the road signs. If you want to rent a car, there are many rental companies operating inside the terminal. The most notable among them are RentGo, Sixt, Hertz and Enterprise.

Taxi

Ride-hailing apps and official airport taxis are available 24/7 at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The taxis you will find just outside the terminal are usually airport taxis, which means they operate with a fixed rate per kilometer. A taxi ride from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Taksim Square typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Last Updated: 03/03/2026 - Tuesday