Two Airports, Two Continents
Istanbul has two international airports on opposite sides of the Bosphorus. Istanbul Airport (IST) sits on the European side near the Black Sea coast, while Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side in Pendik. Many itineraries combine them — a long-haul flight into IST and a low-cost connection out of SAW, or the other way round — and separate tickets mean you have to cross the city yourself.
Our private transfer takes care of that crossing. Your driver meets you in arrivals with a name sign, loads your luggage and drives straight to the departures level of the other airport. The price is fixed per vehicle — from €75 — and the same whichever direction you travel.
Distance and Transfer Time
The two airports are roughly 80–90 km apart by road. The usual routes use the northern motorway and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, or the city motorways and one of the central Bosphorus bridges. Your driver picks the faster one for the time of day.
| Route | Distance | Typical time | Fixed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| IST → SAW | ~80–90 km | 75–90 min (up to 2 h at peak) | from €75 |
| SAW → IST | ~80–90 km | 75–90 min (up to 2 h at peak) | from €75 |
Weekday mornings and late afternoons are the slowest periods; late evenings and early mornings are usually quicker. Bridge and motorway tolls are included in the price.
How Much Time Do You Need Between Flights?
A self-transfer between IST and SAW has four parts: getting off the plane and through passport control and baggage claim, the drive, check-in and bag drop at the second airport, and security plus passport control for departure. As a rough guide:
- ✓Arrival formalities: allow 30–60 minutes at IST or SAW, longer at busy times.
- ✓The drive: 75–90 minutes, with a buffer for traffic.
- ✓Departure formalities: airlines generally ask you to arrive 2–3 hours before an international departure; check your airline's own check-in deadline.
That is why we suggest at least five to six hours between scheduled landing and departure when you have checked bags. If your tickets are separate, remember that the second airline will not wait if the first flight is late — build in extra time rather than relying on everything running on schedule.
Bus, Taxi or Private Transfer?
Airport buses are the cheapest option when a direct service is running, but frequencies vary and schedules change; check the current Havaist (IST) and Havabus (SAW) timetables before relying on them for a tight connection. Taxis are available at both airports and use the official meter, with tolls added, so the final fare depends on traffic — and a standard taxi can be tight for four people with suitcases. Read more in our Istanbul Airport taxi guide and the taxi vs Uber vs private transfer comparison.
A private transfer costs the same whatever the traffic, the driver is waiting when you come out, and a Mercedes Vito carries up to seven passengers with luggage. For larger groups we send a Sprinter.
What's Included
- ✓Meet & greet — your driver waits in arrivals with your name (see meeting points)
- ✓Live flight tracking and 60 minutes of free waiting after landing
- ✓Fixed price per vehicle — bridge and motorway tolls included
- ✓Drop-off at departures — as close to your airline's check-in area as possible
- ✓Luggage help, free Wi-Fi and water on board, free child seats on request
Night and Early-Morning Connections
Many connections between the two airports happen at night, when public transport is thin. We run 24/7 at the same price, so a 2 am landing at IST for a 7 am departure from SAW is routine for our drivers. For long overnight gaps, you might prefer to stay in a hotel in between — we can drive you from the first airport to the hotel and on to the second airport the next morning. Read more about night arrivals in Istanbul.
Turning a Long Connection into a City Visit
If you have most of a day between flights and your passport allows you to enter Turkey, the airport change can include a few hours in the city: the old town, a drive along the Bosphorus or lunch in Karaköy. That works best with a driver booked by the hour. See our Istanbul layover with a private driver page for sample plans, and the main Istanbul Airport transfer and Sabiha Gökçen transfer pages for trips into town.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökçen?
Usually 75–90 minutes for roughly 80–90 km. At weekday rush hours or in bad weather it can take up to two hours, so we always plan with a buffer.
Is 4 hours enough to change airports in Istanbul?
Often, but it is tight. You need time for passport control and baggage at the first airport, the drive itself, and check-in plus security at the second airport. With less than about five hours between the scheduled landing and departure, choose flights that do not depend on rush-hour traffic, and travel with hand luggage if you can.
How much is a taxi between the two airports?
Taxis charge by the meter under the official Istanbul tariff, and bridge or motorway tolls are added, so the fare depends on traffic and the route. Our transfer is a fixed price per vehicle — from €75 — with tolls included.
Is there a direct bus between IST and SAW?
Airport bus operators have run services between the two airports, but timetables change and services can be infrequent at night. Check the current Havaist and Havabus schedules before relying on them for a connection.
Do you wait if my first flight is late?
Yes. We track your arrival flight and adjust the pickup time automatically, and 60 minutes of free waiting starts from your actual landing time.
Can we stop in the city on the way?
Yes, if your connection allows it. Tell us when booking and we will plan the route — for longer stops, a few hours with a driver is usually the better option (see our layover page).