How Many Airports in Istanbul? Comprehensive Guide and Comparison

Istanbul stands as Turkey’s largest transportation hub. If you’re planning to fly into this vibrant city, you may be wondering, “How many airports in Istanbul?” Let’s break it down so you can make an informed choice.

With two active airports, Istanbul offers different options for travelers. But which one is closer to the city center? And which is the best for your needs? For many visitors, figuring out the best airport can be confusing.

For example, when some friends visited recently, they accidentally flew into one airport but booked their rental car at the other—on the opposite side of the city.

They ended up paying for an hour-long taxi ride across town just to pick up their car! I could have saved them time, money, and a lot of frustration if we had chatted before they made their plans..

So, how many airports does Istanbul really have? The answer is two: Istanbul International on the city’s west side and Sabiha Gökçen to the east.

Having flown in and out of Istanbul since 2003, I know the ins and outs of both of them. Let’s dive into what each one offers and help you pick the best option for your trip!

Istanbul International Airport (IST)

The new Istanbul International is located in the far northwestern corner of the city. It is the biggest one in Europe and the seventh busiest in the world.

Flights from IST go all over the world, and it is a hub for Turkish Airlines. This new airport officially took over operations from Ataturk Airport in 2019. 

When I fly into IST, I’m always impressed by the high ceilings and sense of airy big-ness. It’s a great “welcome home” for me when I’m coming in after an international flight.

Let me walk you through some of the details of IST.

Facilities

IST has just about everything you’ll need. Turkish pastries and coffee? Check. High-end duty-free shopping? Check. Conveyer belt sushi restaurant? Check.

For families, there are great play spaces, and for all weary travelers, there are lots of rest areas with comfortable chairs.

There’s even a museum on the International Departures floor where you can enjoy some of the ancient wonders of the city. You can download the “IST” mobile app to explore some of the amenities that it has to offer.

Hotels

Yotel Istanbul Airport is a hotel that is located inside IST, with both Airside and Landside entrances. Friends of mine have had great stays at the hotel when they have had an overnight layover. 

Although you pay a premium for the convenience of the location, it is worth it to arrive at your destination rested and not wasted.

Terminal Security

As a passenger, you always feel very safe inside the Istanbul Airport. There are security checkpoints for all vehicles entering the complex and a security check for everyone entering the terminal building. 

(Nowadays when I enter an airport in the US without going through a security check, I feel like something’s missing!) 

There are armed security guards throughout the area, keeping an eye on everything. In light of the extra security, you might want to be sure to get there 3 hours before an international flight. 

There is a security check to enter the building, then passport control, and another security check before entering the gate area.  

How to get to the city

It is about a 40-minute drive from Taksim Square (beware: it could be up to double that time if there’s a lot of traffic).

As of November 2024, a taxi to Taksim costs about 1200 TL.  Taxi rates change often, so this is a rough approximation!

If you’re coming to the city for the first time, and/or if you’re with a group of more than 2 people, I would recommend arrange a private transfer to your hotel. 

When we first visited Turkey, everything felt so foreign and it was wonderful to be met with a sign with our names on it at the exit of the arrivals area.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are easy bus and metro links to get to the city center. 

The HavaIST bus provides direct transportation to stops like Taksim, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy, and also has a bus that will take you directly to the Sabiha Gokcen if you happen to have a connecting flight there. 

The metro is newly opened and can take you to multiple points in the city. By metro, you can get to Taksim in 1 hour 20 minutes, with one transfer at Gayrettepe Metro Station.

You can get to Kadıköy with the M11 and then the Metro bus and to head to Uskudar you would do the M11 to the M2 to YeniKapi and then the Marmary to Uskudar.

The metro would be awesome during rush hour traffic especially.

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)

Sabiha Gokcen International (airport code: SAW) is located on the far eastern edge of the city, on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. 

It is named after Sabiha Gökçen (pronounced GOK-chen), the world’s first female fighter pilot and one of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s adopted daughters. 

You can see photos of her on the walls of the hallways when you’re walking from your plane into the arrivals hall and baggage pick up.

SAW has been in operation since 2001, and is a more regional airport with one terminal that flies to domestic and international destinations as far west as the United Kingdom and Morocco, and as far west as Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan.  

Here are some “must knows” for Sabiha Gokcen:

Facilities

SAW is smaller than IST, but it has all the basics of an international hub. You’ll find restaurants, coffee shops, duty-free and essential travel items. There are lounges where you can rest and recharge. 

Souvenir shops sell Turkish delights and local crafts.

Hotels

The ISG Airport Hotel is a separate building from the terminal and is connected to the hotel via the metro passageway. It’s an easy 7-10 minute walk from the arrival hall of SAW.

Just look for the signs for the metro, and then follow the signs that say “ISG Airport Hotel Exit 2.” If you would rather not walk, the hotel also provides a free shuttle service between the airport and the hotel.

ISG Airport Hotel is a modern and comfortable hotel that is a great option if you have a middle-of-the-night flight or a long layover.

Terminal Security

Safety is a high priority for the airports in Turkey, and Sabiha Gokcen is no exception. 

Like with IST, there is a security check when you enter the terminal building and then again before you enter the gate area. 

Be sure to arrive at the hotel 3 hours before an international flight (2 hours before a domestic flight) to leave enough time to wait in line at security checkpoints.

How to get to the city

It is about 50 minutes by car to Taksim Square (possibly double that in traffic). 

There is a taxi stand right outside the arrivals hall, and the January 2024 price to get you to Taksim from SAW is about 800 TL.

Taxi rates change often, and taxis often don’t take foreign currency or credit cards. Though many are starting to cards, sometimes the old machines don’t like foreign cards. Best to have some cash on hand.

You also have options for private transfers, including our favorites. We recommend a transfer to eliminate the hassle of dealing with a taxi driver and figuring out cash when you first arrive. 

There are also easy public transportation links to SAW, including the metro and city buses. The metro stop is newly opened and can take you to multiple points in the city. By metros and a ferry, you can get to Taksim in 1 hour 40 minutes.

Atatürk International Airport 

Ataturk International, named after the founder of the Turkish Republic, was the main airport in Istanbul until 2019 when it transferred its commercial flights to IST.

Some people wonder if there are three different airports in Istanbul, but Ataturk Airport is no longer in service for passenger flights. Before 2019, our family used to primarily fly in and out of Atatürk.

I can remember it always being overcrowded, with lots of people sitting on or lying on the floor inside because there weren’t enough seats for waiting travelers. 

That memory makes me glad for the huge expanses of the current IST (I try to remember that when I’m walking down the long halls and start to feel tired!).

Ataturk is mainly only used for private flights now, and most of it is being turned into a national park. The first section of the park opened in May 2023.

Which one is best to Fly Into?

If you’re flying from abroad, most likely you will be routed to IST. The advantages are that it is closer to the main touristy areas of the city on the European side of Istanbul and it is big, new, and clean.

There are both domestic and international flights to and from IST, to almost every major city in the world.

If you’re flying more regionally, or need to make a domestic flight within Turkey, SAW is a great option too. It’s not as big as IST, which makes it a bit more manageable and less overwhelming. 

Also if you happen to be staying on the Asian side of Istanbul, SAW is a much more convenient option.

FAQs on Istanbul Airports

Final thoughts Airports in Istanbul

With IST on the European side of the city and SAW on the Asian side of the city, Istanbul has you covered for flying in and out of this amazing metropolis. 

Both of them have shopping and restaurants to satisfy international travelers. Both have high security, a hotel on-site, and easy transportation links to central Istanbul.

Istanbul International is a big, new facility with thousands of international flights each day. It is close to tourist centers like Taksim and Sultanahmet. It is also the fourth-largest airport in the world!

Sabiha Gokcen is a mid-sized regional airport that is convenient for those staying on the Asian side of the city and taking domestic flights from carriers like Pegasus and Anadolu Jet.

Both are great places to begin your journey to Turkey. What has been your experience of these?