Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul
The airports servicing Istanbul and the approximate driving distances to Sultanahmet (the Old City) are as follows:
·Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): 1 hour (43 km)
·Istanbul Airport (IST): 45 minutes (46 km)
Although do note, this time can greatly vary depending on traffic. You may take the Havabus directly from both airports to multiple downtown locations including Taksim, Kadikoy, and Besiktas. Istanbul Airport is a brand new airport, that opened in early 2019 with connections around the world. Turkish Airlines is based here and you can fly as far as California or as close as Izmir from here! Sabiha is preferable for those wishing to stay on the Asia side of Istanbul and are arriving on budget airlines from closer destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Istanbul is one of the most interesting cities on earth and there is lots to do there!
Check out other ways to arrive in Istanbul, as air travel is not the only way!