Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)

When flying to and from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, then it’s good for you to familiarise yourself with the airport and its services. Having general information and suggestions, especially while traveling alone or with a companion, can truly save you from encountering troublesome moments, whether it’s for a vacation or a work trip.

Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.

A Brief Overview of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey

About Airport’s Terminal

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport has one terminal only that consists of domestic and international halls and concourses. The arrivals hall is located on the ground floor, while the departures hall is located on the first and top floors, after security.

Travelers can easily find various amenities, such as information desks, lounges, ATMs, conference rooms for business travelers, newsagent, courtesy telephones, restaurants, restrooms, facilities for handicap passengers, retail shopping outlets, ticket counters, baggage claim, and locker facilities, gift shops, transportation, car park and more at the airport.

On-site and Off-site Parking Options

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport offers convenient and affordable parking options to travelers. Parking is available at the terminal. One can choose from on-site parking options, off-site car parks, and garages that are located in the nearest proximity to the airport so there is easy access to the terminal. These consist of short- and long-term parking.

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport has a multi-level car parking which has a four-floor building and a capacity of 4718 car parking spaces. Where you have an option to pay for your parking in cash or by credit card. This airport offers some subscriptions and membership plans for frequent travelers. You can avail of this service before the flight departure otherwise normal charges may apply. Corps diplomatique and official vehicles have an option to park their vehicle without paying any money until 1 hour after crossing the 1 hour limit normal car parking charges may be applied. For more inquiries about the parking, you can call and contact directly to the parking office at +90 216 588 88 57 – 588 88 47 – 588 88 45.

Valet Parking: Valet Parking service is also available at the airport. You also receive complimentary services, such as window cleaning and interior vacuuming, and luggage assistance. And the space for the valet parking is around 400. There is a special service for the physically disabled people, they reserved parking spaces for physically disabled people which is available on all floor as well as indoors and outdoor. To get more information about Valet Parking call +90 216 588 88 52 or +90 216 588 80 53.

Airlines Operating from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport serves only a few domestic, international, charter, government, and cargo airlines. Airlines that operate short and long-distance flights to and from the airport’s Terminal include:

Air Arabia, Air Manas, Anadolu Jet, Atlasglobal, Azerbaijan Airlines, Buta Airways, Corendon Airlines, Emirates, Fly Baghdad, FlyDubai, Fly Nas, Iraqi Airways, Jordan Aviation, Nile Air, Pegasus, Pobeda, Qatar Airways, Royal Wings, Sunexpress and Turkish Airlines.

Facilities and Services Available at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Turkey offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport also offers a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.

Security Check-points

There are security checkpoints at the airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security check-points.

Help Desk

When you are at the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International airport and need help, there are information desks to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. They are open 24 hours and can be found at the airside and landside of the Terminal.

Wi-Fi and Device Charging Stations

Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the terminal at the airport, in case you want to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet.

In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile and laptop charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your laptop and/or phone’s battery.

Baggage Handling and Storage

Luggage Lockers: Lockers and luggage storage facilities are available at the airport. These can be found on the landside of the International Arrivals hall.

Luggage Wrapping: Luggage wrapping services at the airport. Bags are wrapped in plastic to protect them from damage and theft. It is located on the landside of the Departures level.

Luggage Trolleys/Carts: Luggage carts are available at the airport. These can be found throughout the terminal.

Porter Services: Porter services are available at the airport to assist passengers with their luggage.

There is a Baggage Claim facility available at the airport.

Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.

Lounge and Business Conference Room

At Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, passengers can use public lounges, VIP lounges, and business conference rooms, which may be available for free or paid in order to access these facilities.

A few lounges and business conference rooms that are available at the airport are:

ISG International CIP Lounge: The lounge is open 24 hours and is located in the airside of the International Terminal, upper level. Access to the lounge is via paying at the door or using a prepaid lounge pass or lounge membership program.

ISG Domestic CIP Lounge: The lounge is open 24 hours and is located in the airside of the Domestic Terminal, upper level. Free Wi-Fi is also offered. Access to the lounge is via paying at the door or using a prepaid lounge pass or lounge membership program.

Stores and Duty-Free Shopping

There are plenty of shops that can be easily found throughout the airport’s terminal and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items, from children’s toys to fashion accessories for adults. You may also buy books, magazines, newspapers, etc., to help pass time during your stopover or flight delay.

Duty-Free stores are also available at the airport that sells all kinds of merchandise, including souvenirs. Set Duty-Free Shop is available in both Departures and Arrivals halls. Another Setur Duty-Free Last Minute Shop is located in International Departures remote gates, close to Gate 306.

Cafe, Bar, and Restaurants

Finding snack and beverage options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. These cafeterias and restaurants are located throughout the terminal and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.

Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside.

Other Amenities Available at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

There are other amenities that are available to passengers at the airport. These include:

Prayer Room: Separate Muslim prayer rooms for men and women are available at the airport. These can be found in the Domestic Arrivals area and is open from 4 am till 11:30 pm.

Children’s Play Area: The airport offers a play zone for children.

Medical Services: The airport offers a First-Aid medical treatment facility that is open 24 hours. The healthcare facility caters to passengers in need of emergency medical care.

Pharmacy: Nuray Pharmacy is located on the landside of the International Departures hall and is open 24 hours.

Fast Track: Fast track service at the airport allows passengers to pass quickly through security. The pass can be purchased online. Also, services may be available for purchase at the airport as well. The cost of a Fast Track pass for international passengers is TRY40 ($5.74 USD) and for domestic passengers, it is TRY30 ($4.31 USD).

Postal Services: A post office facility is located in the Arrivals hall. Travelers can post letters and postcards to their family, relative, and friends when arriving or departing from the airport.

Salon: Bayram Bal Coiffeur is located on the landside of Domestic Departures, Mezzanine level.

ATM: ATMs are available at the airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATMs if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs located at the airside and landside areas of the Terminal.

Currency Exchange: The currency used in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY or TL). Currency exchange facilities are available at the airport. These are located on the landside and airside of the Departures Hall, Arrivals Hall, and Baggage Claim area.

Banking Services: Banking facilities are available at the airport. Their counters are located in the Arrivals hall.

Hotels On-site and Nearby Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Finding accommodations on-site or nearby Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport should not be a problem for travelers as there are several hotels and resorts out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find convenient and affordable places for a comfortable stay during your visit to Turkey.

A few hotels that are located on-site as well as near the airport are:

Kepler: The facility is located inside Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport which offers personal sleep pods or units, Wi-Fi, a shower, a luggage storage facility, and a lounge area. It is open 24 hours and is located on the airside of the International Terminal, upper level. Reservations can be made at the door.

ISG Airport Hotel: The hotel is located about 3 minutes of walking distance from the airport terminal. There is an airport shuttle service available free of cost. Pick-up can be requested at the Information Desks.

Airport Residence Kurtkoy: The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. There is no airport shuttle service available.

Miracle Istanbul Asia Otel & Spa: The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. There is an airport shuttle service available that operates from 6:45 am to 11:30 pm. However, a fee is charged for transfers beyond the scheduled time frame.

Crowne Plaza Istanbul Asia: The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. It is part of an open-air shopping mall that includes a film theatre, go-karts, ATVs, bowling, and an amusement park. There is an airport shuttle available that runs from 7 am till 11:15 pm.

Ground Transport Options To and From Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Getting to and from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.

Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to hotels and/or airports. Free shuttle buses provide travelers with easy connectivity. Also, there may be a few hotels in the city and adjoining areas that provide free or on-demand shuttle services to and from the airport.

Additionally, you may also book pre-arranged rides that offer services to and from the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International airport, which can also be scheduled as per your needs. You can usually find their kiosks or counters/stands located either at the terminal’s entrance or exit area. These may also contain information on the companies that are permitted to render such services at the airport.

Airport Shuttle Service

There is a shuttle transfer service available to passengers within the airport.

Hotel Shuttle Service

Few hotels in the city may offer free or paid shuttle transfer services to their guests.

Bus Service

Public bus transportation services are available for the commute. It is both affordable and convenient and can get you to places in no time. HAVABUS shuttle service operates between the airport and Kadıköy for TRY10 ($1.43 USD) or Taksim for TRY15 ($2.15 USD). The HAVABUS shuttles are available from 3:30 am till 1 am. Their shuttles can be found outside of the airport, on the Arrivals exit, right in front of Point Hotel in Taksim, across from Taksim Divan Hotel, and at Kadıköy Pier.

Another shuttle service offered by Akmis Travel operates scheduled routes between Sabiha Gökçen International Airport and Bursa, Yalova, Gemlik, Sakarya, Kocaeli, Gebze and Karamürsel.

Train and Metro Services

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is not connected to train and metro lines for the commute.

Limousine Service

Limousines are available for hire at the airport.

Taxi Service

Taxis are available, if you need a ride to a hotel or want to go sightseeing. Taxi stands can be found on-site, on the ground transportation area.

Car Hire Service

You can hire a car at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are several companies that offer cars for hire/rent at the airport. The car hire/rental agencies or companies have their counters/stands located on-site, on the ground transportation area.

The companies or agencies that offer car hire/rental services at the airport include Avis, Bostanci, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt.

App-Based Ride-Sharing Service

Aside from several transport options that are available to travelers from and to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, app-based ride-sharing services are also offered.

FAQs

What are the rights of passengers if the flight has been delayed by 2 or more hours?

When your flight is canceled due to some technical issue or by bad weather. When this type of situation arises then the airlines are obligated to inform this situation through contact numbers or emails, they have to compensate according to the delayed or cancellation rules.

How can I get my lost items through the airport?

If passengers lost their items at the airport and it is found by any staff of the airport then passengers can contact directly at the airport’s lost and found department between 08:00 to 23:30 by calling this number: +90 216 585 58 12. If passengers’ lost their documents like passports, license then these types of legal documents are delivered by the airport authority to the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Police Department according to the rules. For more information about lost items, you can click on the link. Lost Property here you can get the lost form you have to fill in all details and submit it.

How much time should I leave for airport procedures before my flight?

Typically, the airport allows the passengers at least 2 to 3 hours to check-in before the scheduled departure of the flight. At the airport, there are some formalities that are part of the boarding process where some security check-in and luggage check-in can proceed. So, these are the time taken procedures then it is recommendable to get there at least 2 to 3 hours before. You can also check-in through the Airline’s website if the airline gives this facility.

Wind-Up

There are a lot of popular attractions to see and explore in Turkey. The country has its own share of history, culture, and heritage, and thus, tourists from around the world visit this pre-historic land each year. A few places to visit include the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Dolmabahce Palace, Sultanahmet, Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, Bosphorus Strait, Gulhane Park, Rahmi M. Koc Museum, Galata Tower (also known as Tower of Christ), Chora Church, Basilica Cistern and more.

Traveling to and from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Turkey will certainly give you a pleasant experience. And, if you plan on staying here for a while, you will find lots of attractions to enjoy your holidays.