How to get from Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) to Galata Tower in Istanbul?

If comfort is the priority, a participant in August 2026 recommended a taxi or a transfer: you go from Sabiha Gokcen Airport straight to Galata Tower with no changes while carrying luggage. Transfers are used in the opposite direction too: in September 2026 a traveler planned a 6 a.m. transfer from Galata Tower to Sabiha Gokcen and looked for fellow passengers to split the fare.

A cheaper option mentioned in August 2026 is the Havabus from the airport to Taksim Square, then switching to the metro. Travelers asking the question were also considering this route but noticed that different map apps suggest different routes, so it is worth checking the route in a navigation app before you go.

You can also skip the bus: in August 2026 a participant suggested a metro + Marmaray + metro combination, using rail all the way instead of the airport bus.

There is also a ferry option — the same participant said this is probably how he would go himself. The downside is a steep uphill walk from the pier to Galata Tower. It is easier to ride the funicular up to Istiklal Street and then walk down to the tower.