“How to get from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Sultanahmet, and vice versa?” is one of the common questions for those living and visiting Istanbul. Here, we put together detailed transportation alternatives with our insider tips, to help you plan your Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Sultanahmet trip with ease.
Some Practical Information
* Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is situated on the east of Istanbul, in the Pendik district, on the Asian side.
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* Distance from the SAW to Sultanahmet is about 45 km.
* There is NO direct public transport option. You’ll need to take at least 3 transport vehicles.
* It takes about 2 hours to get to Sultanahmet from SAW, and vice versa.
* You can travel between Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) and Sultanahmet by;
- HAVABUS Airport Shuttle to Kadikoy (1 hour) > Public Ferry to Eminonu (30 minutes) > Tram to Sultanahmet (15 minutes)
- HAVABUS Airport Shuttle to Taksim (1,5 hours) > Funicular to Kabatas (5 minutes) > Tram to Sultanahmet (25 minutes)
- Taxi
- Shared Shuttle
- Private Shuttle
* The Shared Shuttle or Private Shuttle is the most comfortable and convenient way to travel directly to Sultanahmet, or any region in Fatih district.
No Regrets Booking Advice
* There is NO direct Municipal Public Bus operating between SAW and Sultanahmet.
Insider Advice for Departures
* For getting to Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) from Sultanahmet; we recommend you to arrange your time as to be at the airport at least 1 hour for domestic flights and 2 hours for international flights.
* You’ll possibly wait in the queue on the main entrance, airline’s counter, check-in process, passenger lounge entrance, flight ticket and passport control.
* For International flights; if the check-in process is not completed at the latest 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time, than the passenger loses all rights on the ticket and the flight.
* Therefore, we highly recommend you to go to the airport early.
* Regarding the minimum transfer time from Sultanahmet to New Istanbul Airport, of average 2 hours plus 30 minutes possible delays, etc, you should take your transfer to Sabiha Gokcen Airport from city center, at least 3,5 to 5 hours before your flight.
SAW to Sultanahmet Transport Options
1. HAVABUS Airport Shuttle/Bus via Kadikoy
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* Take HAVABUS Airport Shuttle Kadikoy Line and get to Kadikoy.
* It takes about 1 hour and One Way Ticket Price is 28 TL
* Airport shuttle bus will drop you off at Kadikoy pier.
* Take Kadikoy-Eminonu public ferry. It takes about 30 minutes.
* Take tram to Sultanahmet. It takes about 15 minutes.
* If we assume that you take all the transport vehicles on time, it would take about at least 1 hour 45 minutes, plus your walking/changing vehicle time, and without any additional delays.
* Vice versa from Sultanahmet to SAW.
SAW to Kadikoy
* Buses operate between 06:30 am. – 00:30 am., in every 30 minutes.
* Stops: Sabiha Gokcen Airport – TEM Access Road – Yeni Sahra – Kadikoy
Kadikoy to SAW
* Buses operate between 04:15 am. – 21:15 pm., in every 30 minutes.
* Departure: Kadikoy Pier Public Bus Stop. See location map
* Stops: Kadikoy – Yeni Sahra – TEM Access Road – Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Where is the HAVABUS Stop in Kadikoy?
HAVABUS stop in Kadikoy is situated at the Kadikoy Pier Public Bus stop. (see location map)
Notice: Please double check the HAVABUS routes, timetables, trip fares and payment options from HAVABUS’ official website on havabus.com as all changes frequently due to this pandemic year’s situation.
HAVABUS SAW-Kadikoy Ticket Price
* HAVABUS one way ticket price between Kadikoy-Sabiha Gokcen Airport is 28 TL.
* You can’t buy tickets in advance. You need to pay it just after you enter the bus.
How to Pay?
* You can pay CASH or by ISTANBULKART (Istanbul’s Public Transport Card). Credit card is not available.
IstanbulKart
* You can obtain ISTANBULKART and load credit from the Kiosks at the Sabiha Gokcen Airport upon your arrival.
* If you already have ISTANBULKART with you, you can download and install ISTANBULKART Mobile Application to your mobile phone, and load credit by your credit card. Read more about how to obtain and load credit to it on our ISTANBULKART page.
2. HAVABUS Airport Shuttle/Bus via Taksim
* Take HAVABUS Airport Shuttle Taksim Line and get to Taksim.
* It takes about 1,5 hours and One Way Ticket Price is 37,5 TL
* Airport shuttle bus will drop you off at Taksim Gezi Park Metro Exit, about 600 meters Taksim square and Funicular station.
* Take Taksim-Kabatas Funicular and get to Kabatas. It takes about 5 minutes.
* Take tram to Sultanahmet. It takes about 25 minutes.
* If we assume that you take all the transport vehicles on time, it would take about at least 2 hours, plus your walking/changing vehicle time, and without any additional delays.
* Vice versa from Sultanahmet to SAW.
SAW to Taksim
* Buses operate between 06:30 am. – 00:30 am., in every 30 minutes.
* Stops: Sabiha Gokcen Airport – Kavacik – FSM (2nd) Bridge – 1.Levent – Zincirlikuyu Metrobus stop – Dolapdere – Taksim
Taksim to SAW
* Buses operate between 03:30 am. – 22:00 pm., in every 30 minutes.
* Departure: Taksim Gezi Park Metro Exit. See location map
* Stops: Taksim – Besiktas – Bosphorus (1st) Bridge – TEM Access Road – Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Where is the HAVABUS Stop in Taksim?
HAVABUS stop in Taksim is situated at the Taksim Gezi Park Metro Exit, close to Point Hotel. (see location map)
Notice: Please double check the HAVABUS Taksim routes, timetables and trip fares from their official website havabus.com
HAVABUS Taksim-SAW Ticket Price
* HAVABUS one way ticket price between Taksim-Sabiha Gokcen Airport is 37,5 TL.
* You can’t buy tickets in advance. You need to pay it just after you enter the bus.
How to Pay?
* You can pay CASH or by ISTANBULKART (Istanbul’s Public Transport Card). Credit card is not available.
3. Taxi
* You get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Sultanahmet by the local taxis.
* Average taxi fare from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Sultanahmet will be around 210 TL.
* Read more on our Istanbul Taxi Guide page for Istanbul taxis.
4. Private & Shared Shuttles
* If you are a group or a family with kids or having lots of luggage with you, than we highly recommend private shuttle transfers for your hotel in Sultanahmet as they offer a fixed rate, comfortable and safe transfer that include meet-and-greet airport pickups and luggage assistance to your hotel in Sultanahmet or any region in Fatih district from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) or from your hotel to the airport.
* If you take public transport or HAVABUS airport shuttles, you’ll need to take at least 2 more vehicles, and walk from where you’ll be dropped off, which we won’t recommend. But private transfers drives you just to the entrance of your hotel.
* As for private shuttle transfers between Sabiha Gokcen Airport Airport and Sultanahmet, we highly recommend Tranigo (a Turkish company operating since 1996, and partnered with renowned names like Hertz, Thrifty, Budget, and many reliable and efficient local suppliers) as we recently booked with them had a great trip to our hotel.
It offers low-priced, fixed rate private shuttles that include meet-and-greet airport pickups and luggage assistance.
* Their large selection of comfortable taxis, minivans, luxurious cars and 6-19+ passenger minibuses can match any need while ensuring quick and safe travels. Faster and more comfortable than shuttles, buses and taxis. Free cancellation. All prices include fees & tip.
Check Out & Book SAW to Sultanahmet Private Shuttle
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