Istanbul Airport vs Sabiha Gokcen: Which Is Better? (2026)

Quick answer: Istanbul has two airports on opposite sides of the city. Istanbul Airport (IST) sits on the European side and is the larger main hub, home to Turkish Airlines, with an M11 metro link and Havaist coaches. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is the smaller airport on the Asian side, favored by low-cost carriers like Pegasus, reached by the M4 metro and HavaBus. For most tourists staying in the historic centre, IST is more convenient; SAW makes sense for a cheap flight or an Asian-side stay. The two are 60 to 90 km apart.

Booking a flight to Istanbul often means choosing between IST and SAW, and the right answer depends on your airline, your budget, and which side of the city you are staying on. They are not interchangeable: a poor match can add a long, costly transfer to your trip. Here is how the two compare in 2026 and how to pick.

IST vs SAW at a glance

Which one is more convenient?

For the typical visitor staying in Sultanahmet, Beyoğlu, or anywhere on the European side, IST usually wins. It has the wider transport network, the direct M11 metro, and far more full-service flight connections, so transfers are simpler and the city centre is closer. SAW, on the Asian side, often means a longer and pricier journey to the historic peninsula because everything has to cross the Bosphorus.

SAW is not the lesser choice in every case, though. If you find a much cheaper Pegasus or AnadoluJet fare, are staying on the Asian side near Kadıköy, or simply want the smaller airport's quicker walk from gate to exit, SAW can be the smarter pick. The M4 metro now links it toward Kadıköy, which makes the Asian side genuinely accessible.

How to choose

• Staying in the old city or Beyoğlu? Favor IST for the shorter, simpler transfer.
• Flying low-cost (Pegasus, AnadoluJet)? SAW is usually where those flights land, and the fare saving can outweigh the longer transfer.
• Staying on the Asian side near Kadıköy? SAW is closer and easier.
• Tight connection or lots of luggage? IST's bigger network and metro give you more fallback options.

Getting between the two airports

Sometimes a self-transfer routes you through both, and they are far apart, 60 to 90 km depending on traffic. The simplest link is a direct Havaist coach between IST and SAW, which takes around two hours and runs through the day. Leave a generous buffer if you are connecting between separate tickets, since traffic across the city is unpredictable and the two airports do not share baggage handling.

Frequently asked questions

Which Istanbul airport is better for tourists?
For most tourists staying on the European side, Istanbul Airport (IST) is more convenient thanks to its M11 metro link and wider connections. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) suits low-cost flights or stays on the Asian side.

How far apart are Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen?
About 60 to 90 km, on opposite sides of the city. A direct Havaist coach links them in roughly two hours.

Which airport does Pegasus use in Istanbul?
Pegasus and other low-cost carriers mainly use Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side. Turkish Airlines and most full-service flights use Istanbul Airport (IST).

Is Sabiha Gökçen far from the city centre?
Yes, it is roughly 50 km from the historic peninsula on the European side, so transfers there are longer. It is much closer to the Asian side around Kadıköy.

Can I get from Sabiha Gökçen by metro?
Yes. The M4 metro links SAW toward Kadıköy on the Asian side. For the European centre you also need a Marmaray transfer, so allow extra time.

About the author

Anastasia Maisuradze is a Turkey-based travel writer covering Istanbul's two airports and their transport links. She flies through both IST and SAW and checks routes and operators against official airport and Metro Istanbul sources each season. Details reflect 2026 service; confirm specifics for your airline and route before you book.