How far is Istanbul Airport from Sabiha Gökçen by car?
Roughly 95 km by road. In normal traffic the drive usually takes about 60 to 80 minutes, and it can take much longer in rush hour or on a busy day. Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side, so the route crosses the Bosphorus.
These are planning figures. Check live traffic in your navigation app before you leave.
Which route do you take?
Most drivers use the O-7 motorway, the Northern Marmara Motorway, which crosses the Bosphorus on the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and comes out near Kurtköy, close to SAW. The route is tolled and uses HGS. Our Bosphorus crossing guide explains the options and how tolls work.
Going through the city centre is usually slower and depends heavily on the hour.
How much time should you leave between two flights?
If you are self-transferring between IST and SAW with luggage, leave generous time. As a rule of thumb, several hours at minimum, because the drive, luggage collection, check-in and security all add up. If your two flights are on separate tickets, be more conservative still. A missed connection on separate tickets is your risk. If a delay affects a rental pickup, read flight delayed? how airport pickup works.
Can you pick up at one airport and return at the other?
The Auris booking form has separate pickup and return fields and lists both IST and SAW. Whether an IST-to-SAW return carries a fee, and whether it suits your dates, is something to confirm with Auris before you book. Do not assume it is free. Our one-way rental guide covers the general question.
Pickup and return must be in the same country under the published conditions, and online bookings need at least 3 rental days.
What about tolls and fuel?
- Tolls: the O-7 route uses HGS. Ask how tolls are recorded and billed on your rental and check the agreement.
- Fuel: follow the fuel policy on your agreement and photograph the fuel level at pickup and return.
- Parking: long-stay parking at either airport is a separate cost if you keep the car between flights.
What does a realistic self-transfer plan look like?
Allow time for landing, passport control, baggage, the handover, the 60 to 80 minute drive in normal traffic, then fuel, return and check-in. Check-in usually closes well before departure, so do not plan it to the last minute.
- Book the second flight with a generous margin, ideally the next morning.
- Share your flight number and meeting point with the rental company.
- Keep documents and payment method in hand luggage.
- Have a taxi or shuttle as a fallback.
When is a different option better?
If you only need to get between airports once, a taxi, private transfer or the airport shuttle bus may be simpler than picking up a rental. Compare in our airport transfer or rental car guide. If you will then keep the car for several days, renting makes sense, and the Istanbul Airport car rental and Sabiha Gökçen car rental pages show the current details for each airport.
For help choosing between the two airports, read our IST versus SAW guide. The airport car rental page gives the overview and the rental conditions list current terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to drive from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökçen?
Usually about 60 to 80 minutes in normal traffic for roughly 95 km, and much longer at rush hour. Check live traffic before you leave.
Which road connects IST and SAW?
Most drivers use the O-7 motorway and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, which is tolled through HGS.
Can I pick up at IST and return at SAW with Auris?
The booking form lists both airports with separate pickup and return fields. Confirm with Auris whether a fee applies for your dates before you book.
How much time should I leave between flights at different airports?
Several hours at minimum, and more if the flights are on separate tickets. Driving, luggage, check-in and security all add time.
Is a taxi or a rental car better between the two airports?
For a single transfer a taxi, transfer or shuttle is often simpler. Rent if you will keep the car for several days.
Ready to plan your trip? Check the fleet and the published rental conditions, then book online or confirm the details with Auris first.
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