Written by the Marhaba Service team · Updated:
Which Side of Istanbul Is Each Airport On?
Istanbul Airport lies to the north-west of the city on the European side, close to the Black Sea. Sabiha Gökçen lies to the south-east on the Asian side. The Bosphorus separates the two sides, so every drive to the other side crosses a bridge or goes through a tunnel. Tolls are included in our prices.
How Much Does the Price Differ Between the Two?
On the European side the difference is 10 euros or less. On the Asian side it reaches 60 euros in favour of Sabiha Gökçen. These are Mercedes Vito prices for the whole car, one way, for up to 6 passengers:
| Area | From Istanbul Airport | From Sabiha Gökçen |
|---|---|---|
| Taksim, Şişli and Beşiktaş | €95 | €90 |
| Sultanahmet and Fatih | €100 | €90 |
| Başakşehir | €110 | €105 |
| Bakırköy and Ataköy | €110 | €110 |
| Beylikdüzü | €120 | €125 |
| Kadıköy and Üsküdar | €125 | €90 |
| Maltepe and Kartal | €150 | €90 |
The other districts and cars are in our price list, and on the pages for a fixed-price car from Istanbul Airport and a fixed-price car from Sabiha Gökçen.
How Long Is the Drive From Each Airport?
Istanbul Airport is slightly closer to the European centre. These times change with traffic:
| Destination | From Istanbul Airport | From Sabiha Gökçen |
|---|---|---|
| Taksim | 45 to 60 minutes | 50 to 70 minutes |
| Sultanahmet | 50 to 70 minutes | 60 to 85 minutes |
From Sabiha Gökçen to Kadıköy the drive is 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic, and to Beylikdüzü it is 70 to 95 minutes, because Beylikdüzü sits at the far west of the city and the road has to cross the Bosphorus. From Istanbul Airport to Kadıköy the road also crosses the Bosphorus, and the time varies a great deal with traffic on the bridges.
Which Airport Fits Your Hotel District?
- Taksim, Nişantaşı and Beşiktaş: Istanbul Airport is the better fit, because the road does not cross the Bosphorus. See Istanbul Airport to Nişantaşı and Istanbul Airport to Beşiktaş.
- Sultanahmet and Aksaray: both work. Istanbul Airport is usually quicker, and Sabiha Gökçen is 10 euros cheaper. Compare from Istanbul Airport and from Sabiha Gökçen.
- Kadıköy and Üsküdar: Sabiha Gökçen is the clear choice on both price and time, as on Sabiha Gökçen to Kadıköy.
- Başakşehir and Beylikdüzü: Istanbul Airport is the better fit, because both districts are on the same European side. See Istanbul Airport to Başakşehir.
What Does Crossing the Bosphorus Mean for Your Drive?
A longer road and a less predictable time. The bridges and tunnels are among the busiest points in Istanbul, especially at the morning and evening peaks. If you land on one side and your hotel is on the other, leave a wider margin for any appointment that same day. The price does not change: it is fixed however long the road takes, and tolls are part of it.
What If Your Ticket Lands at the Airport Farther From Your Hotel?
There is no need to change your plans for that. Marhaba Service works the same way at both airports: a fixed price agreed before you arrive, a sign with your name and 60 minutes of free waiting from the moment you land. The only thing that changes is the length of the road, and you know it in advance.
The welcome inside the terminal is priced differently at each airport: 215 euros per person on arrival at Istanbul Airport, and 175 euros at Sabiha Gökçen. We do not serve the Princes' Islands or Şile from either airport, and from Sabiha Gökçen we do not serve Çatalca or Silivri.
Does the Comparison Change on the Way Back?
The same rule applies. The prices in the table are one way, and what matters is the airport you fly out of and the district you leave from. Note that free waiting in the city is only 15 minutes, so be ready at the agreed time. If you would like someone with you inside the terminal, our departure service costs 250 euros per person at Istanbul Airport and 190 euros at Sabiha Gökçen.
If you are choosing between two tickets, add the price of the car and the drive time to your hotel to the ticket price, and look at the landing time as well, because the roads fill up at peak hours.
Common Questions
Which airport is closer to Taksim?
The times are close: 45 to 60 minutes from Istanbul Airport and 50 to 70 minutes from Sabiha Gökçen, both depending on traffic.
Which airport is cheaper for reaching Sultanahmet?
Sabiha Gökçen, at 90 euros for a Vito, against 100 euros from Istanbul Airport, although the road from Sabiha Gökçen is usually longer.
Does the car cross the Bosphorus from Sabiha Gökçen to Taksim?
Yes. Sabiha Gökçen is on the Asian side and Taksim on the European side, and the tolls are included in the price.
Do you work at both airports?
Yes, at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen, with a fixed price per car that depends on the district.