What is the cheapest way from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul?

The M4 metro to Kadıköy, 42 TL on an Istanbulkart and about 50–55 minutes. It's far cheaper than the HAVABUS shuttle (around 283 TL) or a taxi (around 1,450 TL to Taksim).

How do I get from Sabiha Gökçen to the European side (Taksim or Sultanahmet)?

Take the M4 to Kadıköy, then a ferry to Eminönü/Karaköy or the Marmaray under the Bosphorus for a small extra fare. Or take the HAVABUS shuttle straight to Taksim for about 283 TL.

Do I need an Istanbulkart, and how much is it?

It's the cheapest way to pay: buy the card once for 165 TL at a station machine, top it up, and each ride is 42 TL. You can also tap a contactless bank card, but it costs more per trip.

What time does the M4 airport metro run?

Roughly 06:00 to 00:00 on weekdays and 24 hours at weekends. For late-night arrivals heading to the European side, the HAVABUS shuttle runs through the night.

What is the best way from SAW to downtown Istanbul?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest: the M4 metro from beneath the terminal to Kadıköy, 42 TL on an Istanbulkart and about 50–55 minutes. For central Istanbul's European side (Taksim or Sultanahmet), transfer at Kadıköy to a ferry or the Marmaray to reach the city centre.

How much is a taxi from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the city?

A metered taxi to Taksim runs around 1,450 TL plus bridge tolls — more than thirty times the 42 TL M4 metro. The private-transfer touts in arrivals quote flat 'fixed' fares that are even worse.

How do you get from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to downtown Istanbul — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) into the city is the M4 metro straight from beneath the terminal to Kadıköy, the hub of the Asian side: a single ride is just 42 TL (about $1) on an Istanbulkart and takes roughly 50–55 minutes. Buy an Istanbulkart at the station machine (a one-time 165 TL card fee) instead of a metered taxi at around 1,450 TL or a private-transfer tout in arrivals. For the European side (Taksim or Sultanahmet), transfer at Kadıköy to a ferry or the Marmaray, or take the HAVABUS shuttle direct to Taksim for about 283 TL.

How to find it

AIRPORTIstanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
01From arrivals, follow the 'Metro' / M4 signs down to the airport metro station beneath the terminal (about a 5–8 minute walk). Entrances are at the main terminal, the Domestic CIP hall and the airport hotel.
02Buy an Istanbulkart at the card machine (one-time 165 TL card fee) and load a few rides; a single trip is 42 TL. Tap in at the gate.
03Board the M4 towards Kadıköy — trains run about every 6–10 minutes. Ride roughly 50 minutes through around 16 stations to the Kadıköy terminus, the hub of Istanbul's Asian side.
CITY CENTREIstanbul

Ticket

Single metro ride on an Istanbulkart (M4 Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen line)

Where to buy: Buy an Istanbulkart from the machines at the airport M4 metro station: the card itself is a one-time 165 TL fee, then load credit. A single full-fare ride is 42 TL.

How to pay: The machines take cash and cards; tap the Istanbulkart on the reader at the gate to enter and exit. You can instead tap a contactless bank card directly, but that costs more per trip than the 42 TL Istanbulkart fare.

Local's trick: One Istanbulkart can pay for a whole group — just tap it once per person at the gate. Heading to the European side (Taksim/Sultanahmet)? Don't buy a pricey shuttle: transfer from the M4 to the Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi (two stops before Kadıköy) for a discounted onward fare, or take the scenic Kadıköy–Eminönü ferry.

Trap to avoid: Ignore the private-transfer touts inside arrivals and the taxi rank: a metered taxi to Taksim runs around 1,450 TL plus bridge tolls — more than thirty times the 42 TL metro — and the touts quote flat 'fixed' fares that are worse. The M4 does the same trip for 42 TL.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
MetroCheapest route	TRY 42.00	55 min	Single metro ride on an Istanbulkart (M4 Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen line)
Bus	TRY 283.50	1 h 30 min	HAVABUS one-way shuttle ticket to Taksim (European side)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul?: The M4 metro to Kadıköy, 42 TL on an Istanbulkart and about 50–55 minutes. It's far cheaper than the HAVABUS shuttle (around 283 TL) or a taxi (around 1,450 TL to Taksim).
How do I get from Sabiha Gökçen to the European side (Taksim or Sultanahmet)?: Take the M4 to Kadıköy, then a ferry to Eminönü/Karaköy or the Marmaray under the Bosphorus for a small extra fare. Or take the HAVABUS shuttle straight to Taksim for about 283 TL.
Do I need an Istanbulkart, and how much is it?: It's the cheapest way to pay: buy the card once for 165 TL at a station machine, top it up, and each ride is 42 TL. You can also tap a contactless bank card, but it costs more per trip.
What time does the M4 airport metro run?: Roughly 06:00 to 00:00 on weekdays and 24 hours at weekends. For late-night arrivals heading to the European side, the HAVABUS shuttle runs through the night.
What is the best way from SAW to downtown Istanbul?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest: the M4 metro from beneath the terminal to Kadıköy, 42 TL on an Istanbulkart and about 50–55 minutes. For central Istanbul's European side (Taksim or Sultanahmet), transfer at Kadıköy to a ferry or the Marmaray to reach the city centre.
How much is a taxi from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport to the city?: A metered taxi to Taksim runs around 1,450 TL plus bridge tolls — more than thirty times the 42 TL M4 metro. The private-transfer touts in arrivals quote flat 'fixed' fares that are even worse.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.