Metered taxi
Door-to-door via the motorway and Eurasia Tunnel or bridge. The only option that flexes around your exact timing — and the only door-to-door one.
- Cost
- ~₺2,000–2,800 incl. tolls
- Time
- 60–90 min (+rush penalty)
- Runs
- 24/7
IST ↔ SAW · Airport transfer
IST to SAW: Getting Between Istanbul's Two Airports 2026
Istanbul's airports are 80 km apart on opposite sides of the Bosphorus — and no, your luggage doesn't transfer between them. Three real options: taxi (~₺2,000–2,800, 60–90 min, door-to-door), the direct Havaist coach (~₺400–550, 1.5–2.5 h) and the metro combination (~₺100–130, ~3 h). Here's how to pick — and how much connection time you actually need.
Updated
01 · The three options
Taxi vs direct coach vs metro — honest numbers
All prices are 2026 approximations; traffic is the variable that decides everything.
Havaist direct coach
One seat, luggage in the hold, zero transfers. The sweet spot for solo travellers with 5+ hours between flights.
- Cost
- ~₺400–550
- Time
- 1.5–2.5 h
- Runs
- Around the clock — check hava.ist
Metro combination
M11 → Gayrettepe, M2 → Yenikapı, Marmaray → Ayrılık Çeşmesi, M4 → SAW. Four legs, three transfers — a mini tour of the city's rail network.
- Cost
- ~₺100–130 with İstanbulkart
- Time
- ~3 h door-to-door
- Runs
- 06:00–00:00 only
Taxi fares are metered — know the ballpark from our fare guide and watch for the standard tricks. Coach fares change periodically; verify at hava.ist.
02 · Pick by situation
Which option fits your connection?
Decide with the hours you have, not the money alone.
- < 4 hoursRisky with checked bags. Taxi immediately after landing, hand luggage only if you can. Consider rebooking if anything's delayed.Taxi
- 4–6 hoursTaxi comfortably, or the direct coach if you're at the front of the arrivals crowd and the timetable aligns.Taxi / coach
- 6+ hoursDirect Havaist coach is the calm, cheap default. Metro combo if you're on a tight budget with light bags — daytime only.Coach / metro
- Overnight (00:00–06:00)Metro is closed. Taxi, or the overnight coach if the timetable serves your hour.Taxi / coach
- Group of 3–4One taxi split 3–4 ways approaches coach cost per person — door-to-door, luggage handled once.Taxi
Connection-time rules of thumb
- Your bags never transfer: collect, cross the city, re-check. Always.
- 5 hours minimum gate-to-gate with hand luggage; 6–7 hours comfortable with checked bags.
- Evening rush (16:00–20:00) can add a full hour to any road crossing — pad accordingly.
- Landing late at night? Read the late-night arrival guide first.
03 · FAQ
IST ↔ SAW — frequently asked
Connection times, luggage, night crossings and prices.
How far apart are Istanbul's two airports?
About 80 km — IST is on the European side far to the north-west, SAW on the Asian side to the south-east, with the whole city and the Bosphorus in between. Realistic crossing times: 60–90 minutes by taxi outside rush hour, 1.5–2.5 hours by Havaist coach, ~3 hours by metro combination. In evening rush (16:00–20:00) add up to an hour to any road option.
Is there a direct bus between IST and SAW?
Yes — Havaist operates a direct airport-to-airport coach line. Fare is approximately ₺400–550 in 2026 (verify the current price and live timetable at hava.ist). It's the best value-for-effort option: one seat, luggage in the hold, no transfers.
How much is a taxi from IST to SAW?
Roughly ₺2,000–2,800 on the meter in 2026 including motorway and tunnel tolls, taking 60–90 minutes outside rush hour. It's the fastest and the only door-to-door option — worth it for short connections or groups of 3–4 splitting the fare.
Can I get from IST to SAW by metro?
Yes, cheaply but slowly: M11 to Gayrettepe → M2 south to Yenikapı → Marmaray east to Ayrılık Çeşmesi → M4 to SAW. Around 3 hours door-to-door and ~₺100–130 with İstanbulkart transfer discounts. Only sensible with 6+ hours between flights and light luggage.
How much connection time do I need between flights at IST and SAW?
Treat them as different cities. Minimum safe: 5 hours gate-to-gate (taxi crossing, hand luggage). Comfortable: 6–7 hours (coach crossing, checked bags to re-check). Less than 4 hours with checked luggage is a gamble — one traffic jam and you've missed it.
Do airlines transfer my luggage between IST and SAW?
No. The airports have no airside connection and separate operators — you always collect your bags, cross the city yourself, and check in again. Budget that into your connection time.
What is the cheapest way between the two airports?
The metro combination (~₺100–130 with İstanbulkart) is cheapest, then the direct Havaist coach (~₺400–550), then taxi (~₺2,000–2,800). Per-person maths changes for groups: 3–4 people in one taxi can approach coach cost per head, door-to-door.
Is there a night option between IST and SAW?
Taxis run 24/7 and the direct Havaist airport-to-airport line runs around the clock at reduced frequency (verify the overnight timetable at hava.ist for your specific hour). The metro combination is not an option overnight — lines close roughly 00:00–06:00.