Private transfer
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Sultanahmet (Old City) transfer
Private transfer from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Sultanahmet (Old City) at a fixed price per vehicle. Your driver meets you with a name sign, helps with your luggage and takes you straight to your address.
- Distanceabout 47 km
- Driving time50–75 min
- Free waiting90 min
- PaymentCash: TL, € or $
Prices for this route
Prices are per vehicle, not per person, and stay the same in traffic.
What's included
- Fixed price, no meter
- Meet & greet with a name sign
- Free waiting time
- Help with your luggage
- Child seats on request
- Pay cash to the driver
- Free cancellation and full refund up to 24 hours before pickup
What our guests say
Overall rating
4.9 (90 reviews)
- Spyros Kousi · Google
★★★★★
Ercan Erbay organised everything exactly how we wanted. Enis Erbay was our driver. He was very professional and very friendly. He helped us with everything and gave us some info about the city. Exceptional people and amazing service. We will definitely choose them again next time.
Read on Google → - Mario Ivanov · Google
★★★★★
Самая лучшая компания для трансферам. Машины люкс, каждым раз приезжают во время. Водители очень любезные. И цены тоже хорошие. Рекомендую .
Read on Google → - Nur Sahin · Google
★★★★★
Enis Erbay ile gerçekleştirdiğimiz transfer oldukça keyifli ve konforluydu. Kendisi son derece nazik, samimi ve profesyonel bir yaklaşım sergiledi. Yol boyunca geçtiğimiz yerler hakkında bilgilendirici paylaşımlarda bulundu ve İstanbul’da yapılabilecek aktiviteler konusunda değerli öneriler sundu. İlgi ve nezaketi için kendisine tekrar teşekkür ederiz.
Read on Google → - Angela Tudor · Trustpilot
★★★★★
Thanks a lot for providing during a business trip to Istanbul
Thanks a lot for providing during a very short time a very comfortable and clean car. Driver arrived in advance and was waiting in front of the hotel. I did the car reservation just few hours before the flight, so appreciate that owner has texted me on Whatsupp to receive my details. My husband and son appreciate the car comfort and the stars on the car ceiling. I would definitely recommend this car service.
Read on Trustpilot → - Denada Latifi · Trustpilot
★★★★★
Excellent
The taxi service from the airport to the hotel was excellent and very smooth. The driver arrived on time, was friendly, and helped us with our luggage without any issues. The car was clean and comfortable, which made the ride really relaxing after a long flight. The journey was quick and stress-free, and everything was exactly as expected.
Read on Trustpilot → - Arlinda Lekaj Jusufi · Trustpilot
★★★★★
In my case they went above and beyond on providing a service
Read on Trustpilot → - Villa Fjorentin Berat · Google
★★★★★
Enis was our personal Vito driver who picked us up directly from the airport, and from the very first moment everything was perfectly organized. He arrived on time with a clean and comfortable Mercedes Vito, making our transfer smooth and stress-free. Beyond just the ride, Enis went the extra mile and organized a beautiful evening for us on a cruise ship, creating an unforgettable experience. Everything was arranged professionally and with great attention to detail.
Read on Google → - Hannes Van Velden · Trustpilot
★★★★★
Enis was not only efficient but so welcoming and friendly. He made our transfers very enjoyable and was full of handy hints for our trip. It was very smooth and we would recommend him to anyone
Read on Trustpilot → - Bujar Jakupi · Trustpilot
★★★★★
During my stay in Istanbul, I had the opportunity to travel from the hotel to the airport. The company was very professional, the vehicle was ultra-modern, and the driver was very polite. Erxhani was also very cooperative. Everything was simply perfect. I travel to Istanbul often, and I will not change this service anymore.
Read on Trustpilot → - Karthik M · Google
★★★★★
Very smooth experience. Will recommend to others. I booked a minivan for my family. We had small kids. I got quick replies via email. Once I landed in Istanbul, I was reached out via whatsapp. The WhatsApp responses were in English and prompt. I booked them again for my return to the airport. Strongly recommend this company for your travel needs.
Read on Google → - ArmyNurseElPaso_TX · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Highly recommend this company.
The company picked us up at 0425 with a last minute booking due to our other booking falling through. The driver was on time, helpful, a good driver, and the car was very nice. I highly recommend them.
Read on Tripadvisor → - Pasquale C · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Qualità/price _ highly recommend
Our transfer from the airport to the hotel was very comfortable and the driver advised us what to see in Istanbul and very helpful was the advice for the tour with dinner on the Bosphorus. We highly recommend
Read on Tripadvisor → - Venture45463812071 · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Istanbul Transfer
Before the pickup they shared a tutorial video which made pickup process very swift. Also the car was clean and has good chauffeur. It was a good experience.
Read on Tripadvisor → - Carlitos Kanas · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Fast, reliable, stress free
Reliable, hospitable, good driving. Show up on time for pickup, found a way to smoothly avoid all congregations in Istanbul traffic.
Read on Tripadvisor → - Vanessa · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Great service, made everything easy
Really great transfer service. Easy communication, pick ups on time, clean, comfy cars, everything went smoothly, even accomodating change to flight schedule. I was travelling solo to a part of Istanbul I hadnt been before, so this service was perfect. Good value too.
Read on Tripadvisor → - Anna · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Your safe and comfortable transfer 😇
We ordered transfer from Bodrum hotel to Efes town. The driver arrived on time and was polite, intelligent and took us to the place very safe. The car itself (Mercedes Vito) was clean and modern and comfortable. We highly recommend this company for your travels.
Read on Tripadvisor →
The drive from Sabiha Gökçen to Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet, Istanbul's Old City, is on the European side, so this transfer crosses from Asia to Europe, usually by the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. On request, the car takes the Eurasia Tunnel under the Bosphorus instead: it is often quicker and comes out at Kazlıçeşme, on the Marmara shore road to Sultanahmet. The trip is about 47 km and takes 50 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bridge and motorway tolls are included in our price; the Eurasia Tunnel costs 10 euros extra, and a crossing by car ferry 7 euros. We drive to every hotel in the Old City: Sultanahmet, Cankurtaran, Sirkeci, Eminönü, Laleli and Beyazıt.
How you meet your driver
Five steps from the plane to the car.
- We follow your flightWith the flight number in your booking we watch your arrival time. If you land early or late, the driver adjusts; delays of up to 6 hours cost nothing extra.
- You get the meeting detailsBefore you arrive we confirm the meeting details on WhatsApp. Switch your phone on after landing so the driver can reach you.
- Passport control and baggageGo through passport control, collect your bags and walk through customs. Your 90 minutes of free waiting are counted from the moment your plane lands, which is enough for most passport queues.
- Look for your nameYour driver waits in the arrivals hall of your flight, international or domestic, with a sign showing your name or the 3E logo.
- To the carThe driver helps with your luggage and walks you to the car. You pay at the end of the ride, in cash, in Turkish lira, euros or dollars.
Can't see your driver, or still waiting for a bag? Stay where you are and message us on WhatsApp at +90 541 334 2102. We answer around the clock and will guide you to each other.
Sabiha Gökçen to Sultanahmet: your options
No bus or train runs from Sabiha Gökçen straight to the Old City. This is how the options compare.
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Fixed per vehicle, see prices above | 50–75 min | Yes | Driver meets you in arrivals; bridge tolls included, the price stays the same in traffic |
| Taxi | Meter: about 2,300 TL, plus tolls | 50–75 min | Yes | Price rises in traffic; queue at the rank |
| Havabüs + ferry | 300 TL, plus the ferry and tram | About 2 hours | No | Bus to Kadıköy, ferry to Eminönü, then the T1 tram |
| Metro M4 + Marmaray | Lowest, İstanbulkart fares | About 1½ hours | No | Change at Ayrılık Çeşmesi; walk up from Sirkeci or take the tram |
Fares checked in October 2026: taxi tariff of 20 July 2026, Havabüs fares on havabus.com, İstanbulkart fare of July 2026. They change during the year.
The cheapest way is by rail: the M4 metro from the airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesi, Marmaray under the Bosphorus to Sirkeci, then a 10-minute walk uphill or two stops on the T1 tram. The Havabüs to Kadıköy and the ferry to Eminönü take longer, but you cross the Bosphorus by sea. With luggage, both mean several changes; a car takes you from the arrivals hall to your hotel with none.
Arriving in Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet is Istanbul's Old City: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar are all within walking distance. Many of its hotels stand on narrow or pedestrian streets, especially around the Hippodrome and in Cankurtaran. Where cars may not enter, the driver uses the nearest drop-off point, usually a short walk away, and helps you with your bags. Add your hotel's name and address when you book.
The T1 tram runs through Sultanahmet to Eminönü, Karaköy and Kabataş, and Sirkeci station, on the Marmaray line under the Bosphorus, is a short walk downhill.
Questions about this transfer
How long does the transfer from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Sultanahmet (Old City) take?
About 50–75 minutes for roughly 47 km, depending on traffic.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is per vehicle and fixed when you book, so traffic does not change it.
Where does the driver meet me?
In the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name. We follow your flight, so the driver is there even if you land late.
Does the car go through the Eurasia Tunnel?
If you ask for it. The tunnel is often the quickest way from the Asian side to the Old City and costs 10 euros extra. Otherwise the car crosses the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, and the bridge toll is included in our price.
How much is a taxi from Sabiha Gökçen to Sultanahmet?
On the Istanbul meter, 71.94 TL to start plus 47.92 TL per kilometre since July 2026, the 47 km come to roughly 2,300 TL in normal traffic, plus the toll: the Eurasia Tunnel costs 330 TL by day since July 2026. Our price is fixed per vehicle, with bridge tolls included.
Can I get to Sultanahmet by metro?
Yes, with changes: the M4 from the airport to Ayrılık Çeşmesi (about 50 minutes), Marmaray to Sirkeci (about 8 minutes), then two stops on the T1 tram or a 10-minute walk uphill. Allow about 1½ hours. Marmaray takes the İstanbulkart, not bank cards.
What if my flight lands late at night?
Your driver waits whatever the time: we track your flight, and delays of up to 6 hours cost nothing extra. The metro and Marmaray stop around midnight.
Can you take me from Sultanahmet back to Sabiha Gökçen?
Yes. Book a pickup from your hotel. For an international flight we suggest leaving 4 to 4½ hours before departure.