Istanbul has two airports: the most common and bigger one is Istanbul airport (IST) on the European side. The smaller one is Sabiha Gokcen Airport ( SAW) on the Asian side. Both are quite far from the city center where your accommodation will be. Unfortunately, there is no train service.

Currently, Istanbul is served by two active commercial airports, though the city’s aviation history involves a third. The primary hub is Istanbul Airport (IST), located on the European side; it is one of the largest and most modern airports in the world, having replaced the old Atatürk Airport for commercial flights in 2019. The second active airport is Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), situated on the Asian side of the city. SAW is particularly popular with budget airlines like Pegasus and is often the more convenient choice if you are staying in the Kadıköy or Pendik districts. It is important for travelers in 2026 to double-check their tickets, as the drive between IST and SAW can take over two hours during heavy traffic. The former main airport, Atatürk (ISL), still exists but is now used exclusively for cargo, private diplomatic flights, and general aviation, so you won't be landing there on a standard commercial airline.