From ✈️ Istanbul Airport (IST) to ✈️ Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) & Vice Versa

Traveling between Istanbul’s two main airports can feel straightforward on paper — but in reality, it often depends on traffic, luggage, timing, and how tight your connection is 😅 If you’re landing at Istanbul Airport (IST) and need to catch a flight from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) — or the other way around — you basically have three main options on this route: 🚕 taxi, 🚘 private airport transfer, and 🚌 the Havaist HVİST-13 bus. The page currently positions car travel at around 60–75 minutes and the bus at about 100–120 minutes, with 24/7 availability highlighted for all three options.

For some travelers, this is just an airport-to-airport ride. But for others, it’s the most stressful part of the trip: you’ve just landed, you’re tired, maybe passport control took longer than expected, maybe you’ve got two suitcases and a child stroller, and now you need to cross Istanbul from one airport to the other without missing your next flight 😬 That’s why the “best” option isn’t always the cheapest one — sometimes it’s the one that gives you the least uncertainty.

In this guide, we compare the main transport options between IST and SAW, including expected prices, travel times, practical pros and cons, and which choice makes the most sense depending on whether you care most about budget, speed, or peace of mind.

📑 Table of Contents

• Comparison of Transfer Options
• Taxi Between IST & SAW
• Havaist Bus (HVİST-13)
• Private Airport Transfer – Al’s Taxi
• Which Option Is Best?
• Frequently Asked Questions

1️⃣ Comparison of Options

There isn’t one perfect option for everyone. The right choice depends on whether you want to save money, leave immediately, or travel with the least hassle.

This matches the live page’s comparison: taxi at about €45, Havaist at around €8 per person, and private transfer from €55, with private transfer presented as the smoothest option overall.

2️⃣ 🚕 Taxi Between IST & SAW

Taxis are one of the easiest solutions if you just want to walk out and go. Both airports have official taxi ranks outside the arrivals area, and service is available 24/7. On the live page, the estimated yellow taxi fare is given as around €45, with the usual reminder that the fare is taximeter-based.

What to expect

• ⏱️ Travel time: usually 60–75 minutes
• 💰 Estimated fare: around €45
• 🕒 Availability: 24/7
• 📍 Pickup: official taxi ranks outside arrivals

Taxi types

• 🟡 Yellow Taxi – the standard and most affordable option
• 🔵 Turquoise Taxi – around 15% more expensive
• ⚫ Black Taxi – around 70% more expensive and more premium

Pros

✔ Easy to find at both airports
✔ No need to pre-book
✔ Direct trip without transfers
✔ Available day and night

Cons

✖ Meter-based pricing means the fare can change
✖ Traffic can push the final cost higher
✖ Vehicle quality can vary
✖ Child seats are usually not guaranteed
✖ Communication can sometimes be limited for international travelers

👉 Taxis are a solid option if your priority is immediate departure. But if your connection is tight or you want a fixed price before you get in the car, a pre-booked transfer feels much calmer.

3️⃣ 🚌 Havaist Bus (HVİST-13)

The HVİST-13 Havaist bus is the main budget-friendly option between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport. The page describes it as the only direct public transport connection between the two airports, with service shown as 24/7 and departures from the Level -2 Transportation Floor at Istanbul Airport.

What to expect

• 💶 Price: around €8 per person
• ⏱️ Travel time: around 100–120 minutes
• 🕒 Service: 24/7
• 📍 Departure point at IST: Level -2 Transportation Floor

Pros

✔ Cheapest direct option
✔ No need to deal with taxi fares
✔ Good for solo travelers with light luggage
✔ Useful if your budget matters more than comfort

Cons

✖ Much slower than traveling by car
✖ Less convenient with heavy bags
✖ Not ideal if you have children or a lot of luggage
✖ Less flexible if you’re in a hurry
✖ Tight flight connections can feel risky

👉 If you have lots of time and want to keep costs low, Havaist makes sense. But if your next flight is close, the bus can feel like a gamble because it leaves you with less flexibility if traffic builds up.

4️⃣ 🚘 Private Airport Transfer – Al’s Taxi

If you want the least stressful option, private transfer is the strongest choice on this route. The live page presents it as the most comfortable and reliable way to travel between IST and SAW, especially if you have luggage, family members, or a tight connection. It also highlights fixed pricing, meet and greet, English-speaking drivers, flight monitoring, free waiting time, and child seats.

Why many travelers prefer private transfer

✔ Fixed price — no meter surprises
✔ Meet & greet at arrivals
✔ English-speaking drivers
✔ Flight monitoring
✔ Free waiting time
✔ Child seats available 👶
✔ Easier with multiple bags or family travel

Fixed Prices

• 🚗 Sedan (1–3 passengers): €55
• 🚐 Minivan (1–7 passengers): €65
• 🚌 Minibus (up to 12 passengers): €150

Why it feels easier in real life

The biggest advantage of a private transfer isn’t only comfort — it’s clarity. You know the price before you travel. You know someone is expecting you. And if your incoming flight is late, you’re not starting over from scratch trying to figure things out after landing. For airport-to-airport routes, that peace of mind can matter a lot more than saving a few euros.

5️⃣ Which Option Is Best?

There’s no single answer for everyone — it depends on your travel style.

💰 Budget travelers → Havaist Bus

If cost is your main priority and you have enough time, the Havaist bus is the cheapest direct connection between the airports.

🚕 Immediate departure → Taxi

If you land and want to leave right away without pre-booking, a taxi is the quickest on-the-spot solution.

✨ Stress-free, fixed price → Private Transfer

If you want the easiest and most reliable connection — especially with family, heavy luggage, or a tight flight schedule — private transfer is the strongest overall option.

✅ Practical Tips for Airport-to-Airport Connections

✔ Leave more buffer time than you think you need
✔ Traffic between the two airports can change quickly 🚦
✔ If you have checked luggage and another flight, avoid cutting it too close
✔ With children, multiple bags, or elderly travelers, car-based options are much easier
✔ If you want a predictable total cost, choose a fixed-price transfer
✔ If you take a taxi, always use the official rank and make sure the meter is running

💡 A simple rule: if your connection is tight, choose the option with the fewest moving parts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much is a taxi between IST and SAW?

A standard yellow taxi usually costs around €45, but because taxis use a meter, the final amount can vary depending on traffic conditions and route. The page also notes that turquoise taxis are more expensive and black taxis are the premium option.

❓ Is there a direct bus between the airports?

Yes — the Havaist HVİST-13 provides a direct connection between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, and the page lists it as operating 24/7.

❓ How long does the journey take between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport?

By car, the trip usually takes around 60–75 minutes, while the Havaist bus generally takes around 100–120 minutes. Both times depend on traffic.

❓ What is the most reliable option between IST and SAW?

A pre-booked private transfer is usually the most reliable option because it offers a fixed price, flight monitoring, and a direct trip without waiting for a bus or checking taxi pricing.

❓ What is the cheapest way to travel between IST and SAW?

The Havaist bus is the cheapest option at around €8 per person, making it a good fit for budget travelers who have enough time.

❓ Is a private transfer worth it for airport-to-airport travel?

For many travelers, yes — especially if you have a lot of luggage, children, or a short connection window. The main value is not only comfort, but also predictability and less stress.

❓ Are taxis available 24/7 at both airports?

Yes — the page states that taxis operate 24/7 from the official ranks outside both airport arrivals terminals.

❓ Where does the Havaist bus leave from at Istanbul Airport?

According to the page, the HVİST-13 departs from the Level -2 Transportation Floor at Istanbul Airport.

❓ Is the Havaist bus a good option if I have a tight connection?

Usually not. It is the cheapest option, but also the slowest and least flexible. If your schedule is tight, a direct car transfer is usually safer.

❓ Do private transfers include meet and greet?

Yes — the page lists meet & greet at arrivals as one of the key benefits of private transfer.

❓ Do private transfers monitor flights?

Yes — flight monitoring is one of the features highlighted on the page, which helps if your incoming flight is delayed.

❓ Are child seats available for airport transfers?

Yes — the page specifically notes that child seats are available for private transfers.

❓ Which private transfer vehicle should I choose?

A sedan works for 1–3 passengers, a minivan is better for 1–7 passengers or extra luggage, and a minibus is the right choice for larger groups.

❓ Is there free waiting time with private transfer?

Yes — the page includes free waiting time as one of the private transfer advantages.

❓ Which option is best for families or travelers with lots of luggage?

Private transfer is usually the best fit because it offers direct travel, more space, child seats, and less hassle during the airport change.