How Many Airports Are There in Istanbul? A Quick Guide
Quick answer: Istanbul has two airports in use today: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side, which handles most international and long-haul flights, and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) on the Asian side, the base for low-cost carriers. The old Ataturk Airport closed to scheduled passenger flights in 2019, so you will fly into either IST or SAW.
It is an easy thing to get wrong when booking, because Istanbul is spread across two continents and the two airports are far apart. Here is the clear picture.
The two airports serving Istanbul
Both are modern airports with full facilities, but they sit on opposite sides of the city and serve different kinds of flights.
- Istanbul Airport (IST): on the European side, in the Arnavutkoy district northwest of the centre. Opened in 2018, it is the home of Turkish Airlines and handles the large majority of international and intercontinental traffic.
- Sabiha Gokcen (SAW): on the Asian side, in Pendik to the southeast. It is smaller and is the main base for low-cost carrier Pegasus, with a strong mix of domestic and budget international routes.
What happened to Ataturk Airport?
Istanbul's former main airport, Ataturk (ISL), closed to scheduled passenger flights in April 2019, when operations moved to the new Istanbul Airport. It still handles some cargo, general and business aviation and events, but you cannot book a normal passenger flight there. If an old guide points you to Ataturk, it is out of date.
Which one will you use?
Your ticket decides it, so always check the airport code before you travel. As a rule, long-haul and full-service flights use IST, while many budget and short-haul flights use SAW. The two are about two hours apart by public transport, so they are not interchangeable. For a full side-by-side on distance, transport and cost, see our IST vs SAW comparison, and for getting into town from either one, the transport guide.
At a glance
| Airport | Code | Side | Mainly for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul Airport | IST | European (Arnavutkoy) | International, long-haul, Turkish Airlines |
| Sabiha Gokcen | SAW | Asian (Pendik) | Budget, domestic, Pegasus |
| Ataturk | ISL | European | Closed to passengers (cargo/business only) |
Frequently asked questions
How many airports are there in Istanbul? Two are in use for passengers: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW). The former Ataturk Airport no longer takes scheduled passenger flights.
Is Ataturk Airport still open? Not for regular passenger flights. It closed to them in 2019 and now serves cargo, business and general aviation.
Which Istanbul airport is bigger? Istanbul Airport (IST) is far larger and busier, and it carries most international traffic. Sabiha Gokcen is the smaller, budget-focused airport.
Are IST and SAW close to each other? No. They are on opposite sides of the city, roughly two hours apart by public transport, so never assume you can switch between them quickly.
Sources: Istanbul Airport (istairport.com), Sabiha Gokcen Airport (sabihagokcen.aero). Details reflect 2026 and can change.
About the author
Anastasia Maisuradze writes about Istanbul's airports end to end, helping travellers land at the right one and find their way into the city.
