IST vs Sabiha Gökçen: Istanbul's Two Airports
Istanbul’s most expensive airport mistake is a three-letter one: booking a hotel at the wrong airport. The city has two international hubs on opposite continents, and this page exists so the confusion costs you a minute instead of a morning.
The two airports
Istanbul Airport (IST), on the European side by the Black Sea, is the mega-hub: Turkish Airlines’ home, most long-haul international traffic, and every hotel in this guide. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), on the Asian side near Pendik, hosts Pegasus and much of the low-cost and regional traffic. Both are full international airports; the only reliable identifier is the code on your ticket.
The transfer between them
About 80 kilometres and 1.5 to 2 hours by road, longer in traffic, and there is no direct rail connection: the rail version means M11 into town, crossing the city, then M4 out to SAW, and it is slower still. Havaist and intercity shuttle routes link the two, but a same-day two-airport connection deserves at least four hours of buffer, and more at rush hour.
What it means for your hotel
Book by code. For IST, everything on this site works, from YOTELAIR inside the terminal to the seaside Villa Siesta. For SAW, none of it does: look in Pendik or Kurtköy instead. If your trip uses both airports, split the nights rather than commuting; the transfer guide covers getting into the city from IST, which is the halfway point of any crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart are IST and SAW?
About 80 kilometres, on opposite continents: IST on the European side, SAW on the Asian side. By road the transfer takes 1.5 to 2 hours and can run longer in traffic; there is no direct rail link between them.
Which airport will my flight use?
Broadly: Turkish Airlines and most international long-haul use IST; Pegasus and many low-cost and regional flights use SAW, though both airports host both kinds. Never assume; check the airport code on your booking, not the word Istanbul.
Can I use the hotels on this site for a SAW flight?
No. Every hotel in this guide serves Istanbul Airport (IST). For Sabiha Gökçen, look at hotels in Pendik and Kurtköy on the Asian side; an IST-area hotel before a SAW flight means crossing the whole city.
Information last verified: August 19, 2026