Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport: a complete guide for your trip

This is part of the Been There, Done That series, where our expert globetrotters travel the world to get the insights and information you need to have a seamless travel experience.

Istanbul is truly something else. With its 39 districts and over 15 million residents, it's a city where modern life collides with ancient history. In my experience, the best way to enjoy Istanbul is to forget the guidebook and let the rhythm of the city pull you in.

If you're flying into Turkey, there’s a good chance you’ll pass through Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). Located on the Asian side of the city, this is Istanbul's second airport and the main hub for budget airlines and domestic connections. It should not be confused with Istanbul Grand Airport (IST).

I’ve learned a few things that can make your experience easier. Here’s how to handle check-in, customs, coffee, transit, and everything in between.

Get set for Istanbul: Essential tips before you go

• Check-in online: Most budget airlines flying into SAW support app-based check-in. It's faster and lets you skip long lines. Do it as early as you can.

• Arrive early: Traffic in Istanbul can surprise you, and so can the lines inside the airport. Aim for at least 2.5 hours before your flight, especially during weekends or peak travel periods.

• Keep your baggage sticker safe: That tiny barcode they stick on your passport or boarding pass? It's what helps them track your luggage if it gets delayed. Don't throw it away.

Departing from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport: Busy but manageable

Having recently touched down at Istanbul Airport on the European side of this captivating city, I took the time to really pay attention to each step. The airport isn’t huge, but it moves a lot of people every day.

iVisa tip: Don’t cut it close. SAW gets crowded fast, and the check-in lines aren't always predictable. I showed up three hours early and still found myself waiting longer than expected. That buffer made all the difference.

The check-in process: A DIY adventure

Most airlines use self-service kiosks, which are available in several languages and walk you through the steps pretty clearly. If you checked in online, you’ll just need to drop off your bags.

Expect two security checks: one at the airport entrance (where even checked bags are screened), and another after passport control. This double screening is standard across Turkey.

What worked for me: After printing my tag at the kiosk and sticking it on my bag, I headed to the drop-off belt, scanned the tag, and watched it roll away. There are airport staff nearby in case you get stuck.

Useful facts

Customs: Prepare for unpredictability

Sometimes you breeze through, sometimes it feels like you’ll never reach the gate. This is particularly true during the busy summer months, from June to August.

iVisa tip: If you’re flying on a Friday, build in extra time for customs and passport control. A boarding gate agent told me it’s one of their busiest days of the week, and my hourlong shuffle through the customs line confirmed it.

If you’re in a rush, SAW offers an optional ALLWAYS fast track service that lets you skip the regular line.

Be ready with your boarding pass and passport. And keep liquids under 100ml in a clear 1-liter bag. I found free plastic bag dispensers near customs.

Passport control: Generally efficient

Once you're through security, passport control is fairly smooth. It splits between Turkish citizens and international travelers. The layout is intuitive and staff are quick to direct you.

They’ll scan your passport, ask a few questions, and take your photo for an ID check. If you’re flying internationally, just follow the signage to the correct passport control entrance for your terminal.

Food, shopping, and duty-free

After security, you'll find a good range of shops and eateries. Starbucks, Burger King, Simit Sarayı, and local favorite Kahve Dunyasi all make an appearance.

iVisa tip: Skip the Starbucks. Kahve Dunyasi has better coffee and even better ice cream. I grabbed a flat white and a scoop of pistachio and had zero regrets.

There are also a few duty-free options if you want to pick up last-minute gifts or browse while waiting to board.

Arriving at SAW: What to expect

Arrivals at any airport can be overwhelming, especially after a long flight. Sabiha Gökçen has a pretty intuitive layout, and the airport makes it easy to navigate with English signage throughout.

Immigration checks: Follow the lines (literally)

There are colored lines on the floor to direct you to your next step. Follow them. Even though I was jetlagged and half-awake, I had no problem figuring out where to go.

At passport control, your passport will be scanned, you'll need to pause for a photo to confirm your identity, and then your visa status is verified. For eVisa holders, your status automatically appears on the screen when they scan your passport.

iVisa tip: Even though your eVisa is linked to your passport, carry a copy on your phone or printed out. It's always better to be prepared for any technical glitches.

If you hold a paper visa from a Turkish consulate, an immigration officer will manually check the visa in your passport, checking its validity and your travel dates.

Once everything's done, you can move on to collect your baggage.

Documents and information needed for immigration

Keep the following info and documents on hand when going through immigration checks:

• Your passport with a validity of at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival

• Ensure you have at least one blank page in your passport, especially if you're a frequent traveler, for entry and exit stamps

• Your valid visa or a copy of your eVisa downloaded on a mobile device (if you need one)

• Details about where you'll be staying and the places you plan to visit during your trip

• Return or onward flight ticket within the validity period of your visa

Despite my lack of Turkish language skills, I had no trouble navigating this part, as everyone spoke English, and all signs were in English, too.

Baggage claim and beyond: As simple as that

After passport control, I followed the red floor markings to baggage claim. Once there, look for the screens displaying carousel numbers for each flight.

iVisa tip: If your bag doesn’t arrive, don’t panic. I had this happen at a different Istanbul airport. Go to the Left Baggage Office and give them your tag number, contact information, and a description of your bag (type, size, and color). They'll take care of the rest.

Something to declare: Navigating customs

At the exit to the arrival hall, you'll find it divided into two sections: a green lane for travelers with nothing to declare, and a red lane for those with items to declare.

Generally, the following items should be declared:

• Large amounts of currency: If you're carrying a significant amount of cash or financial instruments, you may need to declare it.

• Duty-free items: Purchases made in duty-free shops might have limits in quantity and value, and exceeding these may require declaration.

• Restricted or prohibited goods: Certain items like firearms, certain food products, plants, or animals may be restricted or entirely prohibited.

• Valuable Items: If you're carrying valuable items like expensive electronics, jewelry, or antiques, these might need to be declared, especially if they're not for personal use.

Layovers at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport: Smooth transits

SAW can be a solid airport for layovers, but only if you know what kind of connection you have.

iVisa tip: If your flights are on separate tickets, leave at least four hours between them. You’ll need to pick up and recheck your luggage, and things can get tight.

If you’re on a single booking, the process is much smoother. Your bags will be transferred automatically, and you’ll go through an extra layer of security before heading to your gate.

Transfers at SAW depend on your route. Take my trip from Qatar on the way to Ankara: we were guided to a special passport control point and security before reaching the departures. But when I was heading to Antalya, I skipped the baggage claim and check-in, going directly from international arrivals to domestic security.

If you miss your connecting flight due to a delay, the airline will, in most cases, book you on the next available flight.

Making the most of longer layovers

If you have a long wait between flights, you can do the following:

• Explore the airport lounge: There are several lounges to enjoy at SAW, even for those without an airline membership. Your options depend on the terminal you're in. Check out what's available on the airport website.

• Rest at a layover hotel: While not strictly a hotel, Kepler Resting Units are specially designed for weary travelers. They come with soundproofing, comfy ergonomic beds, smart TVs, an alarm clock, and air conditioning. It's the perfect way to rest up or kill time in between flights.

• Spend time in Istanbul: Here's a list of top 10 sights and hidden gems in the city, specially curated by one of our travel reporters.

Connect with ease: Getting a local SIM card

You’ll find SIM card booths as soon as you exit customs. TurkCell and Turk Telekom are the main options. Prices vary, but you’ll need your passport for registration.

iVisa tip: I rely on mobile data for work, so I always grab a SIM card right away. Turk Telekom usually has better prices and fast setup. The staff are helpful if you need assistance.

Money matters: Currency exchange & ATMs

In the same hall, there are ATMs and currency exchange counters. However, it's wise to only exchange or withdraw what you need to cover your immediate expenses. Rates are much better in the city, so don’t convert large sums at the airport.

iVisa tip: Get to know the Turkish Lira and exchange a small amount before your flight. This can cover any immediate expenses upon arrival.

Getting to and from SAW

Located on the Asian side of Istanbul in Pendik/Kurtköy, Sabiha Gökçen is 40 km (24 miles) from Kadıköy and 50 km (30 miles) from Taksim, so you’ll want to plan ahead.

By bus

For nervous travelers, or those looking to avoid haggling with taxi drivers, I highly recommend the Havabus. It’s reliable, affordable, and runs even in the early morning.

The shuttle runs frequently between SAW and key districts like Kadıköy and Taksim. I used the Moovit App to find the nearest stop in Taksim. The walk was safe and easy, and the app helped with real-time updates. The fare was 102.50 Lira (about US$4), payable by cash or card.

The bus stops right at the departure hall, making it easy to get to the airport quickly. The ride was air-conditioned and there was free Wi-Fi, perfect for staying connected. It took me about 1 hour and 24 minutes, so allow at least 2 hours for the journey.

By metro

If buses aren't quite your style, the M4 metro line has a direct route to and from Sabiha Gökçen Airport. It's about an hour's journey, with 22 stops from Kadıköy.

For those heading from the airport to the city, the metro station has three entrances:

• Entrance 1: Domestic Terminal CIP Hall & Carpark

• Entrance 2: Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel

• Entrance 3: Terminal

If you're on the upper floors of the airport, most elevators have clearly marked the metro level.

iVisa tip: If you decide to use public transport in Istanbul, you can't pay for it using cash or contactless debit/credit cards. It's better to pick up an Istanbulkart, which is a reloadable card for the metro, bus, tram, funicular, and ferry.

By taxi

Taxis are available, but more expensive. It takes about 50 minutes and costs approximately 350 Lira (about €19/USD$20). Yellow cabs are the standard option. Blue taxis are more expensive and black luxury taxis can be double the fare.

iVisa tip: Always use the official taxi rank and check for "TAKSi" signage. Avoid hailing a cab from the street outside the terminal because they tend to overcharge.

Using ride-share/taxi apps in Istanbul

Uber is available, but tends to be more expensive than regular taxis. The airport's free Wi-Fi coverage is strong enough to use the app without a local SIM card.

The local BiTaksi app can be used to request a regular taxi, which costs the same as regular taxis. You can pay using your credit card but I found it to be glitchy.

How to get from Sabiha Gökçen to Istanbul Airport

Istanbul's two main airports, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, are not only 52 miles (about 84 km) apart but also on different continents. IST is on the European side, while SAW is officially located in Asia.

If your travels include a same-day transfer between these airports, you have the following options:

• Taxi: Expect to pay around 550 Lira (€30/US$32) for a 65-minute trip.

• Bus: A budget-friendly choice at about 85 Lira (€4.60/US$5) for a 110-minute ride.

• Private transfer: For your peace of mind, you can book a transfer in advance.

A high-speed rail link is in the works, but for now, plan with time to spare.

Facilities worth noting

• Restrooms: There are clean, well-maintained restrooms located throughout the terminal. They are accessible to all passengers, including facilities for individuals with disabilities.

• Information desks: These are your go-to spots if you have any questions. Staffed with friendly, knowledgeable personnel, there are two information desks in the departures level: one in the international hall and one in the domestic hall.

• Charging stations: SAW has charging points around the entire airport. Turkey uses type C and F plugs operating at 230V and 50Hz, so don't forget to carry an adapter if your devices are not compatible.

• Luggage storage: You can conveniently store your bags at the Baggage Storage Office in the international terminal. It's open 24/7 and offer daily storage at a fee based on your baggage size.

• Prayer rooms: If you need a quiet space for prayer or meditation, the airport provides dedicated prayer rooms.

If you're planning to explore Turkey, check out our airport guides:

• Istanbul Airport (IST)
• Antalya Airport (AYT)
• Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB)
• Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)