Istanbul Airport Guide: IST vs SAW, Getting Into the City and My Plane Honest Tips
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger and Flight Expert
Disclosure: Pegasus Airlines gifted my flights for this trip so I could experience its new London Gatwick to Istanbul route. However, every word and opinion in this review is my own. Gifted flight or not, this is still a Plane Honest review. Just ask FlixBus, they once called me their biggest critic!
Booking flights to Istanbul? Before you get carried away choosing rooftop restaurants and hotels with Bosphorus views, check those three little letters on your flight booking.
IST and SAW are two different airports. Both serve Istanbul, but they sit on opposite sides of a very large city. Getting that detail right makes planning your arrival considerably easier.
I flew from London Gatwick to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) with Pegasus Airlines, and found the airport pretty easy to navigate. Getting into Istanbul took longer, the airport lounge was less impressive than I had hoped.
Here’s my guide to choosing between Istanbul’s airports, getting from Sabiha Gökçen into the city, and making the most of your time in the terminal.
Quick Answer Express: Which Istanbul Airport Should You Choose?
Istanbul has two main commercial passenger airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side.
For the London Gatwick service with Pegasus Airlines, you arrive at Sabiha Gökçen, airport code SAW.
I found SAW straightforward to navigate, and used the metro to reach the city. My journey took over an hour. Depending on your hotel, connections and traffic if travelling by road, allow around one to two hours, sometimes longer.
My advice? Compare the flight price, arrival time and journey to your actual hotel. “Istanbul city centre” is too vague to plan a useful transfer.
What you need to know | Istanbul Airport | Sabiha Gökçen Airport |
Airport code | IST | SAW |
Side of Istanbul | European side | Asian side |
Location | Arnavutköy district | Pendik district |
Main airline association | Turkish Airlines’ principal hub | Pegasus Airlines’ principal hub |
Pegasus London Gatwick route | This route does not arrive here | This is your arrival airport |
My firsthand experience in this guide | Airport comparison | Arrival, navigation, metro, food and lounge |
Istanbul Airport vs Sabiha Gökçen: What Is the Difference?
The easiest way to understand Istanbul’s airports is to stop thinking of them as interchangeable.
Istanbul Airport: IST
Istanbul Airport, usually identified by its code IST, is on the European side of the city.
It is the larger airport and Turkish Airlines’ main hub. If you are comparing long-haul itineraries, including flights from the USA, look carefully at the airport code on each option.
IST may make sense for your airline or onward connection, but being on the European side does not automatically mean a quick journey to your hotel.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport: SAW
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, usually shortened to SAW, is in Pendik on Istanbul’s Asian side.
It is Pegasus Airlines’ main hub and the airport I used for my Gatwick trip and onward journey to Kayseri for Cappadocia.
You may see it written as:
Sabiha Gökçen Airport
Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Istanbul Sabiha Airport
Istanbul SAW Airport
Those names refer to the same airport. Istanbul Airport, IST, refers to the other one.
Check the code when booking flights, airport hotels and transfers. A bargain hotel beside the wrong airport is a fairly ambitious way to start your holiday.
Flying From London Gatwick to Istanbul With Pegasus Airlines
Pegasus launched its daily direct London Gatwick–Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen service on 15 June 2026, with daily flights announced for the summer 2026 season. Check your travel dates for the current timetable and frequency.
For anyone based around Gatwick or the south of England, it is a useful option for an Istanbul city break or a longer Türkiye itinerary.
The important detail is the destination:
London Gatwick (LGW) → Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW).
My trip combined Istanbul with Cappadocia, continuing from SAW to Kayseri. You can read about the actual flying experience in my Pegasus Airlines review: a real Turkish delight from Gatwick to Istanbul.
For route details and what to check before booking, see my Pegasus Airlines Gatwick to Istanbul flights guide.
A Few Useful Pegasus Booking Tips
Pegasus operates a low-cost model, so compare the total price with the extras you need, including baggage and seat selection.
Its mobile app lets you manage your trip, while the BolBol loyalty programme allows members to earn and redeem BolPoints. Joining is worth considering if you expect to fly with Pegasus again.
Is Sabiha Gökçen Airport Easy to Navigate?
I found it pretty easy to navigate.
That was one of the pleasant surprises of the trip. My experience was straightforward, and I did not find the airport particularly confusing.
It still pays to check whether you need domestic or international departures, especially if you are continuing elsewhere in Türkiye after arriving from London.
How to Get From Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul
First, find out which neighbourhood your hotel is in.
Kadıköy, Sultanahmet, Galata and Taksim are different destinations. A transfer time quoted for one does not tell you how long it will take to reach another.
I used the metro. It worked for me, but the journey took over an hour.
For planning, I would allow roughly one to two hours from SAW to your accommodation, depending on where you are staying and how you travel. Road traffic, waiting and connections can push that higher.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport Metro: The M4 Line
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is served by the M4 metro line, which connects the airport with Kadıköy.
Metro Istanbul lists an end-to-end journey time of approximately 52 minutes. That is the train journey, rather than your complete airport-to-hotel transfer.
You still need to account for reaching the station, waiting, changing services where necessary and getting to your accommodation.
For the European side, Ayrılık Çeşmesi provides an interchange with Marmaray. The best onward route depends on your hotel, so check the full journey before boarding.
Get an Istanbulkart and Top It Up
My main public transport tip is to get an Istanbulkart, often called an Istanbul card, and load some credit onto it.
You can buy one from ticket machines, including machines in the airport’s public transport area.
Make sure you:
Buy the card.
Add travel credit.
Keep enough balance for your planned journeys.
Top it up before your return airport trip.
The card purchase and travel credit are separate costs. Check the machine for current prices and payment options.
It is one of those small arrival jobs that makes exploring Istanbul much easier.
HAVABUS Airport Shuttle
If you prefer a shuttle to navigating rail connections, HAVABUS serves Kadıköy and Taksim from Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Check the current timetable, fare and stop location before travelling.
The shuttle can be convenient if its destination suits your accommodation, but it uses the roads. Allow for traffic and the final journey from the bus stop to your hotel.
Taxi or Private Transfer
A taxi or prebooked transfer may suit you if you have heavy luggage, arrive late, or want a direct journey to your accommodation.
The convenience is being dropped closer to your destination. The variable is traffic.
For a private transfer, check whether the quote includes tolls, waiting time and your luggage. For a taxi, use the official airport rank and confirm how the fare is calculated.
A car removes the changes between trains; it does not remove Istanbul traffic.
Getting From Istanbul Airport, IST, to the City
If your booking says IST, use transport information for Istanbul Airport rather than Sabiha Gökçen.
IST has its own metro and airport bus connections, including the M11 metro and HAVAIST buses, alongside taxis and private transfers.
Choose the route using your hotel’s address. Check the official Istanbul Airport transport information before travelling.
My firsthand metro experience in this article is from SAW, so the journey I describe above should not be treated as an IST transfer guide.
Plane tip: Sort your eSIM before departure
I prefer landing with mobile data already arranged, especially when I'm finding a hotel after dark. Airalo sells Türkiye eSIM plans, but check that your phone supports eSIM, the current plan details and the activation instructions before paying. My Airalo discount: Read my eSIM guide and check the current offer. Use code NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% off a first eSIM.
Is the Airport Lounge at Sabiha Gökçen Worth It?
The Plaza Premium lounge I visited was disappointing. Check that you are booking the lounge in the correct departure area and confirm your membership’s entry conditions and any guest charges.
A lounge can still be useful if you want somewhere to sit before your flight. Here is my full review of The Plaza Premium Marmara Lounge.
Staying Overnight Near Sabiha Gökçen Airport
After arriving at SAW, I stayed at the ibis Styles Istanbul Kurtköy before flying to Kayseri the following morning.
The room cost only £75, and we were upgraded to an enormous suite. We enjoyed some delicious local Turkish cuisine, got a proper night’s sleep and returned to the airport refreshed the following morning.
For me, this was much more appealing than worrying about a tight connection after an international flight.
An overnight stay may be particularly sensible when:
You have separate flight bookings
Your onward flight leaves early the following morning
You’re travelling with checked baggage
You want protection from possible disruption
You would rather begin your holiday rested than stressed
Based on my stay, I would happily recommend the ibis Styles Istanbul Kurtköy.
Connecting Through SAW to Cappadocia
Sabiha Gökçen can also be the starting point for a trip beyond Istanbul.
I continued with Pegasus to Kayseri, then travelled onwards to Cappadocia. Combining a city break with Göreme gave the trip two very different chapters.
If you are booking connecting flights, check whether they are on one through booking or separate tickets. Confirm baggage arrangements, the required transfer process and how much connection time you have.
Separate tickets need particular care: a delayed first flight can affect your second booking.
For the destination planning, read my Cappadocia travel guide: balloons, cave hotels and why two nights is not enough.
And for the hotel I stayed in, see my Doors of Cappadocia hotel review.
Which Istanbul Airport Is Better?
The better airport is the one that fits your flight, hotel and onward plans.
SAW worked well for my trip because I flew with Pegasus from Gatwick and continued to Kayseri. IST may suit a different airline, long-haul itinerary or onward connection.
Before choosing, compare:
The total flight price, including baggage.
Your arrival and departure times.
The journey to your hotel.
Any onward flight.
The cost and convenience of the transfer.
A cheaper flight can still be a good deal after a longer transfer. Just include that transfer in the plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Istanbul Airports
What is the Istanbul airport code?
Istanbul Airport uses IST. Sabiha Gökçen Airport uses SAW. Check which code appears on your booking, because they are different airports.
Which Istanbul airport does Pegasus fly to from Gatwick?
The Pegasus London Gatwick service flies to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, SAW.
Is Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side?
Yes. Sabiha Gökçen Airport is in Pendik on Istanbul’s Asian side. Istanbul Airport, IST, is on the European side.
How long does it take to get from SAW to Istanbul city centre?
It depends on your destination. My metro journey took over an hour. Allow roughly one to two hours to reach your accommodation, with extra time possible for traffic, waiting and connections.
Does Sabiha Gökçen Airport have a metro?
Yes. The M4 metro connects Sabiha Gökçen Airport with Kadıköy. Check the onward connections for your hotel.
Should I get an Istanbul card?
I recommend getting an Istanbulkart and topping it up if you plan to use public transport. Remember to add credit after buying the card.
Is Istanbul Airport the same as Sabiha Gökçen?
No. IST and SAW are separate airports on opposite sides of Istanbul. An itinerary requiring a transfer between them involves travelling across the city.
Can I transfer between IST and SAW?
Yes, but treat it as a substantial journey across Istanbul. Allow for traffic, baggage collection, check-in and security at the second airport. Avoid planning it like a short terminal connection.
Where can I check SAW arrivals and departures?
Use the official Sabiha Gökçen flight information page, your airline app and the airport departure screens for current information.
More of My Türkiye Travel Guides
Once you have sorted the airport, there is the much more enjoyable business of planning the trip.
For Istanbul:
For your Pegasus flights:
For Cappadocia:
For a wider Türkiye holiday:
Final Boarding Call
Sabiha Gökçen worked well for my Pegasus trip from Gatwick. I found the airport easy to navigate, used the metro into Istanbul, and continued onwards to Cappadocia.
Give yourself time for the city transfer, get your Istanbulkart sorted, and have a look at the local food before committing to the lounge.
Find Flights to Turkiye
Flying with Pegasus Airlines makes Istanbul a useful gateway for exploring more of Türkiye. From London Gatwick, you can fly directly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and connect onwards to destinations across the country, which is exactly how I continued my trip to Cappadocia.
Pegasus now flies to 161 destinations across 57 countries, including 39 destinations within Türkiye, so Istanbul can be the start of a much bigger trip.
Heading to Cappadocia? Read my guide to getting from London to Cappadocia via Istanbul and see how I connected onwards to Kayseri.
Istanbul Airport Guide: IST vs SAW, Getting Into the City and My Plane Honest Tips
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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If you're planning your journey to the airport, you might also find this guide useful:
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