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Istanbul has two international airports serving the city. One is located on the European side while the other is on the Asian side.
Istanbul International Airport (IST)
Istanbul International Airport opened on April 6, 2019. It replaced the old Atatürk International Airport in Yeşilköy, and sits near the Black Sea to the northwest of the city. It’s the largest airport in the city and is a hub for Turkish Airlines.
Passengers can reach many destinations throughout the world on direct flights from Istanbul International Airport. When it’s completed in 2027, it will accommodate 200 million passengers a year.
Flying out of the airport is a great experience. There are plenty of shops and restaurants, and the wide open spaces don’t make you feel as cramped as in the old airport.
If you’re flying into or out of this airport, expect lots of walking! It took us quite a while to get from the jetway to passport control, but there are lots of moving walkways along the way. Queues at passport control and security move fairly quickly, which is a huge improvement over the old airport.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
The other airport is Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, which is a hub for Pegasus Airlines. It’s located in Pendik on the Asian side of the city. I always enjoyed flying out of this airport because it was usually not as crowded and hectic as the old Atatürk Airport, although it already exceeds its capacity of 25 million passengers per year.
The drawback is the distance from the city center and the time it takes to get there. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport serves several domestic and international destinations.
Airport Shuttles
To reach the city from Istanbul International Airport, HavaIST runs a very convenient and efficient shuttle service. The most useful route for tourists is most likely between Istanbul Airport and Taksim, which costs 87₺ and takes roughly 80 minutes. You can reach several other points of the city as well, such as Kadıköy (96₺) or Beşiktaş (74₺), and even connect with Sabiha Gökçen Airport (110₺). All fares are current as of April 2023. Check the official website for timetables and more trip fares. You can pay for your ride with cash, credit, or through a QR code.
To get to Taksim Square from Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Havabüs runs a good shuttle service. For trips between Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Taksim, it’s 67.5₺ and it takes about an hour. It’s also possible to get between Sabiha Gökçen Airport and Kadıköy in an hour for 50.5₺. The shuttles run roughly every 30 minutes from 4am to 1am, but traffic could seriously affect the travel times. All fares are current as of April 2023.
Metro
The Istanbul metro system connects the city with both airports. The M11 line runs between Istanbul International Airport and Gayrettepe. The M4 line runs between Kadıköy and Sabiha Gökçen. You can use an Istanbulkart (the city’s public transportation card) to board.
Public Buses
Public buses through İETT connect both airports. They may be cheaper but they are much slower and not as easy to ride with all of your bags. H2 takes you from Mecidiyeköy to Istanbul International Airport. Sabiha Gökçen is served by SG2 from Taksim, SG1 and E-11 from Kadıköy, and E-3 from the 4.Levent Metro
Taxi
Taxi stands are also available if you’re looking for faster, more private transportation. Taxis are metered and there is no flat fee, so traffic could drive the cost up significantly. Prices are still reasonable either way.
