IST to SAW at a glance
| Option | Journey time | Price (observed October 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havaist HVİST-13 coach | about 2 hr, more at rush hour | TL 515 | One or two travellers, light budget |
| Metered taxi | 1 hr 30 to 2 hr 30 | meter plus tolls, several thousand lira | Groups of 3 to 4, heavy luggage |
| Private transfer booked in advance | same road as the taxi | fixed price shown at booking | Late arrival, early flight, family |
| Metro and Marmaray via the city | 3 hr or more | a few Istanbulkart journeys | Only with no luggage and a lot of time |
Prices in lira change several times a year: check the operator's page before you travel.
Havaist: the direct coach between the airports
Havaist, the airport coach brand of the Istanbul transport company, runs a route that links the two airports directly. Our Istanbul airports guide lists it as HVİST-13, TL 515 and about 2 hours. At SAW the Havaist stop is next to the Simit Sarayı café, opposite the arrivals exit. Departures are not as frequent as the city lines, so look up the next time on the Havaist site or app before you walk to the stop. Luggage goes in the hold underneath.
Taxi: faster only if the road is clear
Official yellow taxis run on the meter, at the rate set by the Istanbul municipality (see taxis in Istanbul). The ride crosses a bridge or the Eurasia tunnel, and tolls are added to the fare. At the evening rush hour the road to the Asian side can take twice as long as at night. Take only a taxi from the official rank and turn down any "fixed price" offered in the hall.
Private transfer: the fixed price option
A transfer booked in advance gives a fixed price, a driver who watches your flight, and no queue. For two people it often costs about the same as a taxi in traffic. Book it in advance if your connection is tight or you land at night, and give the driver your flight number.
Which margin between two flights
- Separate tickets (you collect your bags, check in again): at least 6 hours between landing at IST and take-off from SAW, 7 at rush hour. Count about 45 minutes to clear immigration and baggage, 2 to 2 hr 30 on the road, then reach the check-in desk well before it closes (many airlines close it 45 to 60 minutes before departure; check yours).
- One ticket (same booking): the airline must rebook you if the first flight is late, but still ask the airline whether the airport change is covered before you accept it.
- Night connection: if you land at midnight and fly at 7 am, sleeping near the airport is wiser than a transfer. See hotels near Istanbul airports.
If you have a day: do not cross the city for nothing
With 10 hours or more between flights, you can leave the airport and see Sultanahmet; our layover guide gives the timings. With less, stay airside.
Before you go
- Check the code on each ticket: IST and SAW are not interchangeable.
- Keep the Istanbulkart or a bank card for the coach.
- Put your SAW flight time in your phone with a "leave IST by" alarm.
FAQ
Is there a free shuttle between IST and SAW? No free airport shuttle is announced for this route. The Havaist coach is paid, and a transfer or a taxi is the alternative.
Can I take the metro from IST to SAW? Yes, with the M11 line, a change in the city and the M4 line, but it takes three hours or more and is hard with luggage.
How long does the transfer really take? Two hours is the figure announced for the coach; allow more at rush hour.
La rédaction Istanbul Authority, October 2026.
