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In Istanbul, selected as Europe's cultural capital, the transportation network is so developed that you can reach anywhere you want using public transportation. However, traffic congestion can sometimes occur due to the city's population and the influx of tourists year-round, regardless of the season. The metro is used as the main transportation vehicle on both the Anatolian and European sides. It is considered the best alternative as it does not get stuck in traffic. Municipal buses and minibuses are the other alternatives. The metrobus and ferries, among public transportation vehicles, serve to connect the two continents. You can use the IstanbulKart on all public transportation vehicles except for minibuses. If you don't have an IstanbulKart, you can buy a single-use ticket from ticket machines. In addition to public transport, taxis are frequently preferred for inner-city transportation due to their very affordable prices.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located about 14-15 kilometers from Pendik Train Station and Pendik Sea Bus Pier, but getting to the city center from the airport requires a journey of approximately 50 kilometers. On the other hand, alongside public transportation like buses, you can also reach the city by using sea buses and trains. If you are in a hurry, you can easily ensure your transportation by renting a car or calling a taxi.
Havabüs Buses
Havabüs buses are an ideal way for those who want to travel from Taksim or Kadıköy to Sabiha Gökçen Airport, with a fare that varies depending on your point of departure. The white HAVATAŞ buses departing from in front of the Point Hotel and Divan Hotel drop you off right opposite the exit on the arrivals floor of the airport terminal building. Havabüs buses operating on routes such as 1. Levent, Dolapdere, Zincirlikuyu, Kavacık-FSM Bridge, and Taksim start their services at 03:00 in the early morning and end around 00:30-01:00 at night. These buses, which take about 1.5 hours to reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport depending on your boarding point, also depart from Kadıköy. Kadıköy Havabüs buses reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport by following the Yeni Sahra, TEM connection road, and Kadıköy route. Those who want to go from Sultanahmet to Sabiha Gökçen Airport can take the tram to the Sirkeci stop, then use the Eminönü-Kadıköy ferry, and finally take the HAVATAŞ buses to complete their journey.
IETT Buses
You can easily reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport by taking bus E3 from Levent, E9 from Maltepe, E10 from Kadıköy and Kurtköy, E11 from Kadıköy, E18 from Sultanbeyli, bus number 132 from Kartal and Tepeören, and the MR60 line from Pendik YHT (High-Speed Train). Tickets, which you can buy as single-use from ticket offices, may vary in price depending on your point of purchase. Furthermore, if you plan to stay in Istanbul longer, you can get an IstanbulKart to ensure more discounted and hassle-free transportation during your stay.
Car Rental
You can find world-famous car rental companies in the centers of both the European and Anatolian sides. If you don't have your own car, you can rent a car from one of these companies and leave it at the airport when you arrive. Prominent car rental companies include Windy Car Rental, Rent Go, Sun, Europark, Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Budget, Dollar, Avis, and Thrifty. For those who want to go to Sabiha Gökçen Airport by private car and have limited time, we recommend the E5 or TEM highways. Although other roads may be shorter in terms of kilometers, the time you spend on the road can double or even triple due to heavy traffic. Also, if you are staying at a hotel, don't forget that you can use the hotel's shuttle service if you arrange it beforehand.
Taxi
Taxis, including services from Uber (private and shared), are available 24/7 all over Istanbul. Although going by taxi from the European Side to Sabiha Gökçen Airport is expensive, this cost can be reduced by using shared taxis. Considering the airport is 12 km from Pendik and about 50 km from Taksim Square, the choice is yours. You can also call taxis that apply a fixed rate easily by finding their numbers online. Even if the distance is long, you can comfortably choose these taxis as they follow a fixed price tariff.
In Istanbul, which has significantly upgraded its intra-city transportation, there are many alternatives to get from the city center to Istanbul Airport. You can use public transportation vehicles like municipal buses and airport shuttles, and the M11 metro line is now open. For those in a hurry or at risk of missing their flight, a taxi is a good option. Besides these, you can also use private transportation vehicles such as taxis, car rentals, and transfer services.
Municipal Bus
You can reach Istanbul Airport by municipal buses that serve on different routes from the city center. You can use an IstanbulKart, and some lines also offer a cash payment option.
Airport Shuttle
Airport shuttles, called Havaist, provide transportation to Istanbul Airport from many points in Istanbul. You can comfortably reach the airport with these services departing from different centers of the city. IstanbulKart can be used on Havaist buses, and there is also an option to buy tickets online.
Metro
The M11 metro line operates between the city center and Istanbul Airport. Services between Gayrettepe and Istanbul Airport are active. Furthermore, the part of the line extending to Halkalı is planned to be completed by the end of 2025. Passengers who want to use the metro line can use their IstanbulKart or buy a single-use ticket from the ticket machines at the stations.
Taxi
Although the distance between the city center and Istanbul Airport is long, taxis are a good alternative, especially for those at risk of missing their flight. You can either call a taxi to your location by calling any of the taxi stands in the city center or hail an empty taxi passing by to start your journey. Additionally, there are taxi and transfer companies that offer fixed price rates for Istanbul Airport.
Car Rental
You might consider the car rental option, which will make things much easier not only for getting from the city center to the airport but also for inner-city transportation. Many national and international car rental companies serve at Istanbul Airport. You can rent the car from the city center and deliver it at the airport, or you can pick up your car directly at the airport. If you make an early reservation, you can start using your car at more affordable prices and without wasting time.
Last Updated: 12/17/2025 - Wednesday
In Istanbul, selected as Europe's cultural capital, the transportation network is so developed that you can reach anywhere you want using public transportation. However, traffic congestion can sometimes occur due to the city's population and the influx of tourists year-round, regardless of the season. The metro is used as the main transportation vehicle on both the Anatolian and European sides. It is considered the best alternative as it does not get stuck in traffic. Municipal buses and minibuses are the other alternatives. The metrobus and ferries, among public transportation vehicles, serve to connect the two continents. You can use the IstanbulKart on all public transportation vehicles except for minibuses. If you don't have an IstanbulKart, you can buy a single-use ticket from ticket machines. In addition to public transport, taxis are frequently preferred for inner-city transportation due to their very affordable prices.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located approximately 15 kilometers from the Pendik Sea Bus Pier and Pendik Train Station. The airport is about 50 km from Taksim and 40 km from Kadıköy. Therefore, while you can reach Sabiha Gökçen Airport via public transport like buses, as well as Marmaray and metro connections, you can also get there by renting a car or calling a taxi if you are in a hurry.
Public Transportation Vehicles (Havabüs Buses, IETT Buses, Metro)
Havabüs Buses
Havabüs buses are an ideal way for those who want to travel from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Taksim or Kadıköy, with a fare that varies depending on your destination. These buses depart from right opposite the exit on the arrivals floor of the airport terminal building and go directly to in front of the Divan Hotel in Taksim after departing the airport. Havabüs buses operating on routes such as 1. Levent, Zincirlikuyu, Kavacık – FSM Bridge, and Taksim start their services at 04:00 in the early morning and end at 01:00 at night. The journey takes about 1 – 1.5 hours to reach your desired point. Another route is to Kadıköy. Kadıköy Havabüs buses depart from in front of the IETT bus stops at the pier and reach Kadıköy via Yeni Sahra and the TEM connection road. To get to Sultanahmet, you can take the Havabüs buses to Kadıköy, then cross to Eminönü/Sirkeci via Marmaray or ferry connection, and finally reach Sultanahmet Square by tram.
IETT Buses
There are many IETT bus lines that allow you to reach different parts of Istanbul from Sabiha Gökçen Airport. You can reach 4. Levent with bus E3, Bostancı with E9, Kadıköy with E10, Kadıköy with E11 (frequent express service), Altunizade and Ümraniye with E18, Uzunçayır Metrobus with 16S, Pendik and Kartal with 132H, and Pendik Metro with KM22. Furthermore, as of 2025, the M4 Kadıköy – Sabiha Gökçen Metro Line offers direct metro access to the airport. You can use these lines with an IstanbulKart or single-use tickets. For longer stays, you can travel at a discount by choosing a Mavi Kart or IstanbulKart.
Car Rental
To get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul's city center by private car via the shortest and most comfortable route, you first need to use the TEM highway or E5 motorway, located 1.5 kilometers away. Then, using the signs and indicators for your direction, you can easily reach almost anywhere in Istanbul.
On the other hand, if you want to rent a car, there are dozens of car rental companies serving at the airport terminal. Prominent companies include RentGo, Sixt, Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and Budget. As of 2025, car rental offices are located in both the domestic and international terminals.
Taxi
In addition to taxis you can call via apps like Uber and BiTaksi, Sabiha Gökçen Airport taxis operate 24 hours a day. These taxis, which you can easily find at the terminal exit, charge a fixed rate per kilometer.
According to 2025 current tariff information, the per kilometer fee for yellow taxis in Istanbul is 25.48 TL, and the starting fee is 90 TL. The taxi journey from the airport to Taksim Square takes an average of 50-70 minutes, depending on traffic density.
There are many transportation alternatives to get from Istanbul Airport to the city center. IETT buses are the primary option, while Havaist shuttles are also widely used.
Thanks to the Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport metro line opened in 2023, it is now also possible to reach the city center by metro. Furthermore, the Halkalı – Istanbul Airport metro line is planned to open gradually in 2025.
For passengers who prefer comfort or are in a hurry, taxi, car rental, and transfer options are also available.
Public Transportation Vehicles (Municipal Bus, Airport Shuttle, Metro)
Municipal Bus
You can go from Istanbul Airport to the city center by municipal buses, the most frequently used means of intracity transportation. Some current lines include:
H-1: Mahmutbey Metro – Istanbul Airport
H-2: Mecidiyeköy – Istanbul Airport
H-3: Halkalı – Istanbul Airport
H-8: Hacıosman Metro – Istanbul Airport
The IstanbulKart can be used on these buses; cash payment is not valid.
Airport Shuttle
As of 2025, Havaist shuttles serve on more than 10 lines. Prominent routes include:
IST-1: Yenikapı – Bakırköy – Istanbul Airport
IST-5: Beşiktaş – Taksim – Istanbul Airport
IST-7: Kadıköy – Kozyatağı – Istanbul Airport
IST-19: TÜYAP – Istanbul Airport
The IstanbulKart is also valid on these shuttles, and payment can also be made by credit card via the Havaist mobile application.
Metro
As of 2025, the Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport metro line is operational, and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
The Halkalı – Istanbul Airport metro line will integrate with Marmaray and other metro lines once completed.
Private Transportation Vehicles (Taxi, Car Rental, Transfer)
Taxi
Although the distance between Istanbul Airport and the city center is long, taxis are advantageous, especially for those with a lot of luggage. In 2025, the taxi starting fee in Istanbul is 90 TL, and the per kilometer fee is 25.48 TL.
Car Rental
Many national and international car rental companies are actively serving at Istanbul Airport. Major companies include: Sixt, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Garenta, Enterprise. Reservations can also be made online.
Transfer
VIP transfer services are also quite common in 2025. Especially for large groups or business trips, private chauffeured car transfers can be easily arranged from the airport terminals.
Last Updated: 12/17/2025 - Wednesday