Transportation from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Istanbul city centre
The centre of Istanbul is located approximately 50 km from the airport and is very easy to get to. You can also use the Istanbul Transport Guide.
Transportation summary
| Cheapest transport | Bus E10, E11 | EUR 0,2 |
| More convenient transport | Havabüs | EUR 0,5 |
| More flexible transport | Car rental | Reserve a car |
| More convenient transport | Taxi | Book a taxi |
| Night transport | Taxi | Order a taxi |
Havabüs
A more convenient option is the shuttle bus service called Havabüs, which will take you to both the European part of Istanbul Taksim (SG2) and the Asian part of Istanbul Kadiköy (SG1). The bus runs every 30 minutes. You will find a stop directly outside the arrivals hall. The journey to Taksim takes about 60 minutes, to Kadiköy 40 minutes. Tickets can be purchased directly on board the bus. You can only pay in cash. A one-way ticket costs EUR 0,5. The popular Istanbulkart card does not apply to this service.
The Taksim bus stop is located 500 metres from Taksim Square and it is where the vast majority of tourists head. The most popular accommodation in this part of the city can be found here.
Bus + ferry
The cheapest option are the city's E10 (schedule and stop map) or E11 (schedule and stop map) buses. Buses run roughly every 20 minutes and take you to Kadiköy bus stop, a district in the Asian part of Istanbul. The journey takes about 60 minutes, but it depends on traffic. At the final stop you can change to a ferry to the European part of Istanbul (Eminönü, Karaköy and Kabataş). Timetables can be found at this link.
The price per trip is EUR 0,2 (EUR 0,5 with the ferry) and tickets can be purchased from the ticket machine. If you plan to travel around Istanbul more often, consider buying a rechargeable Istanbulkart chip card. In this case, you will pay even less.
For more information, see the Istanbul Transport Guide.
Airport shuttle to hotel
If you don't want to rent a car, consider an airport shuttle. Prices start at EUR 8 and a bus will take you from the airport directly to your hotel (and back at the end of your stay). The price is a bit higher than taking public transportation, but you are taken straight to your hotel. This transport is often convenient if you are travelling single. In a party of 2 or more people, a taxi arranged via Gettransfer may be more convenient. You can easily compare prices for both services online.
Check transport rates to your hotel and order a ride here.
Car hire
Renting a car is the most flexible. Compare offers here. In general, the earlier you book your car, the more you save.
Taxi
Order a taxi via Gettransfer, where the journey will cost you €26. When travelling with small children, you'll appreciate the option of a child car seat and the possibility of ordering a larger car.
Night transport
If you can't make either of the available connections, you can use Gettransfer or Taxi for transport to the city centre.
