Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)

About Sabiha Gökçen Airport

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (IATA code SAW) is Istanbul's second major airport. It is located on the Asian side of the city, in the Pendik district, and is named after Sabiha Gökçen, Turkey's first female combat pilot.

The airport is the main base of Pegasus Airlines and is widely used for both domestic and international flights. It is especially convenient if you are staying on the Asian side, for example in Kadıköy or Üsküdar. Istanbul's other large airport, Istanbul Airport (IST), is on the European side, so double-check which one is on your booking.

Getting to the city centre

Main ways to reach the city:

• Metro — the M4 line runs from the airport towards Kadıköy on the Asian side, with connections to other lines.
• Airport buses — Havabus and city bus services link SAW with central districts on both sides of the Bosphorus.
• Taxi — available at the terminal exit.

If you are heading to the European side, allow plenty of time, as crossing the Bosphorus can take long in traffic. Up-to-date routes are listed on the official airport website.

Practical tips

A few simple habits make the airport part of your trip much smoother:

• Use online check-in where available and keep your boarding pass on your phone or printed.
• Confirm the terminal on your ticket shortly before departure, as airlines occasionally change terminals.
• Keep liquids, chargers and documents easy to reach to speed up the security check.
• SAW is popular with low-cost airlines, so read your fare conditions carefully — cabin and checked baggage are often paid extras.

Flights to Istanbul

Planning a trip to Istanbul? On mibilet you can compare flights Baku – Istanbul from our partners and book directly with the partner you prefer. Whether a direct flight is available and which airlines operate the route can change with the season, so check the current search results rather than relying on old information. To find the cheapest travel dates, open the price calendar; for other routes, start on the flight search page.