Named after the world’s first female combat pilot, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is located 22 miles (35 km) south-east of the center of Istanbul, on the Asian side of the bi-continental city. Built in response to ever rising numbers of visitors to Istanbul, the airport handled about 11 million passengers in 2010.
Comprising one newly built terminal for both international and domestic arrivals and departures, Sabiha Gokcen International has a capacity of 25 million passengers (which it expects to reach by 2023) and a host of shops, facilities and services that are on par with global standards. In 2010, it was awarded the title “World’s Best Airport” at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress in London.
With a light rail link scheduled to be completed at the end of 2011 (reducing traveling time to the city to 29 minutes), as well as an extensive array of existing transport options available to and from the city, Sabiha Gokcen International is a convenient gateway to Istanbul and surrounds. Moreover, friendly and efficient staff make it a pleasure to visit.
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<div class="rxbodyfield">The terminals are in one building and within close walking distance of one another.</div>
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Taxi: Taxis are available round the clock. Fare to the city costs around TL 90 (£32), excluding highway and bridge tolls.
Bus: Buses travel from the airport to various parts of the city. A one-way ticket costs TL 1.65 (£0.60) and journey time is 30-45 minutes, depending on your destination.
Shuttle: Shuttles depart every 30 minutes between 5am and midnight. The cost of a ticket is TL 18 (£6) and a trip to the historic center takes approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
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Airport parking comprises a four-level car park with capacity for approximately 4,700 vehicles. Fees are TL 8 (nearly £3) for the first hour, TL 10 (£3.50) for one to three hours, TL 16 (£6) for three to six hours, TL 19 (£7) for up to 12 hours and TL 35 (£12) for the day. There is also a subscription service (available at pay-points) offering reduced rates.
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Money and communications: ATMs, currency exchange and post office.
Luggage: There are left-luggage and lost-and-found facilities.
Conference and business: Airline lounges provide access to telephones, fax machines and Internet-equipped computers. There are no conference facilities in the building; however, the Airport Hotel adjacent to the terminal building offers a wide range of business and meeting facilities.
Other facilities: First-aid center, pharmacy, hair salon, shoeshine stand and prayer room.
Wi-Fi: Available.
Shopping: Shops range from superstores and clothing boutiques to gift, crafts and souvenir shops. Popular names include Portes, SuperStore Gift Shop, Decor Inn, Gokyuzu Market, Altis, Zumrut Mini Market, Area Shop, Salkım Bufe, Dolunay Market, Aero Shop, Altınbaş Jewellery. D&R, Desa, Fenerium and Atasay Jewellery. Both arrivals and departures halls house a total of 4,500 square meters (48,000 square feet) of duty-free shopping space where passengers may peruse an extensive assortment of fashion, fragrances, alcohol, tobacco, coffee and sweets.
Food and drink: A fair number of eating and drinking options are available at Sabiha Gokcen International. Venues include a selection of restaurants, cafes, bars, bistros and fast-food outlets, namely Simit Sarayı, Center Point Cafe Restaurant Bar, Sultanahmet Kofte, Bus Stop Cafe, Drive Inn Cafe, Denizler Bufe, Burger King, Popeyes, Veranda Cafe, Beer Garden, Sbarro, LGM Sports Cafe, Fly Bistro, Piano Cafe and Coca Cola Gate Cafe.
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