Istanbul has two operating international airports – new Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. The third major airport – Ataturk Airport, the oldest in Istanbul, has been permanently closed after the commissioning.
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New Istanbul Airport
If you are flying to Istanbul from abroad, then most likely the airport of arrival will be Istanbul Airport. It is also called the New Airport, International Airport, or the third airport of Istanbul, in Turkish İstanbul Havalimanı.
Address: Tayakadın, Terminal Caddesi No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: https://www.istairport.com/en
Phone: +90 444 1 442
Istanbul Airport is located in the European part of Greater Istanbul – Arnavutköy area:
- 35 km from the city center;
- 46 from Sultanahmet;
- 44 km from Bakirkoy;
- 53 km from Avcallar;
- 38 km from Gairettepe;
- 44 km from Taksim;
- 55 from Kadikoy;
- 73 km from Pendik.
Since April 2019, Istanbul Airport has been the main air gateway of Istanbul. The airport is considered a hub for Turkish Airlines. Airport codes IATA: IST, ICAO: LTFM.
Istanbul Airport was originally built for the future. It has the potential to receive up to 150 million passengers per year (with the prospect of up to 200 million people).
The following infrastructure awaits travelers at Istanbul Airport:
- recreation areas “standard” and “comfort plus”;
- many cafes with dishes and drinks for every taste;
- point of sale of Duty Free goods and points of return of duties Tax Free;
- free Wi-Fi (1 hour);
- banks, terminals, ATMs, as well as currency exchange offices;
- grocery stores and pharmacies;
- storage rooms;
- more than a dozen sectors for smoking.
How to get in Istanbul Airport
By bus
Municipal buses H 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and IST 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 15, 17, 19, 20 run from Istanbul Airport to the center of Istanbul. You can check municipal transportation website for timetables and routes.
Operating hours: every 20 minutes from 7:00 to 22:00, and at night time on every hour from 04:00 to 07:00 and from 22:00 to 01:00.
Travel time to the final stop: from 30 to 60 minutes.
Ticket price: from 2.5 to 5 USD depending on the distance.
Taxi, transfer or car rental
You can order a transfer from New Istanbul Airport to the center of Istanbul on Kiwitaxi.
Travel time: 20 to 40 minutes depending on distance and traffic.
Cost: from 38 USD.
You can rent a car on Rentalcars. The cost of renting a car per day is about 40 USD.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport mainly operates for local flights, as well as for international flights with low passenger traffic. Most likely, if you are going to other cities in Turkey, then the departure will be from this airport. Sabiha Gokcen International Airport got its name from the name of the first female pilot from Turkey. It is noteworthy that Sabiha Gokcen was the adopted daughter of the great Kemal Ataturk.
Address: Sanayi, 34906 Pendik/İstanbul, Turkey
Website: https://www.sabihagokcen.aero/homepage
Phone: +90 216 588 88 88
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Uluslararasi Havalimani is the city’s second largest and cheapest air gate. The airport is located in the Asian part of the city:
- 50 km from Taksim street;
- 35 km from the center;
- 35 km from the Kadikoy quarter;
- 12 km from the Pendyk area.
Airport codes IATA: SAW, ICAO: LTFJ.
It is the main hub for airlines:
- Pegasus Airlines;
- Turkish Airlines;
- Borajet.
The arrivals area is located on the first floor. The departure area is located on the second floor. On the right is the sector of international flights. Domestic flights sector is on the the left.
How to get in Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
Express bus:
White Havatash Express runs from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Taksim Street and Kadikoy.
Operating hours: every half an hour from 04:00 to 01:00.
Travel time to the final stop: 30 minutes.
Ticket price: about 5 USD.
City buses
The following municipal bus routes run from the airport to the city center:
- E3 (the final stop coincides with the Levent metro station);
- 16S (final stop – metrobus);
- E11 (final stop – Kadikoy area);
- KM20 (final stop – Kartal metro station);
- MR60 and 132H (terminus corresponds to Pendik railway station).
Operating hours: every half an hour from 06:00 to 01:30.
The maximum travel time is about 40 minutes.
Ticket price: about 3 USD.
By taxi, transfer minibus or rented car
You can order a transfer from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the center of Istanbul on Kiwitaxi.
Travel time: 15 to 30 minutes depending on distance and traffic.
Cost: from 35 USD.
You can rent a car on Rentalcars. The cost of renting a car per day is about 40 USD.
How to get from New Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gokcen Airport
The distance between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport is about 90 km. You can overcome it by bus or taxi.
Havaist bus
The stop for the municipal bus at Istanbul International Airport is located on the -1 floor. Transport arrives at the departure area of Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
Working hours: around the clock. The bus runs once an hour.
Travel time: about 1.5 hours.
Cost: 5 USD.
Taxi
Transfers or taxis are ideal for families with children, as well as travelers with a significant amount of luggage. The taxi rank is located near the exit of the terminal.
Travel time: from 70 minutes.
Cost: from 50 USD.
You can order a transfer or taxi in advance on the website Kiwitaxi or Gettransfer.
Find cheap flights to Istanbul
We suggest you to use Kiwi.com to find cheap flights to Istanbul
The video about New Istanbul Airport
Nothing captures the spirit of Istanbul’s new airport like this video