A plane landing at 2 a.m., a flight leaving at 6 a.m. or a 10-hour layover... Both of Istanbul's airports are far from the city centre, so in these situations the right decision is often to stay near the airport. On this page we have gathered accommodation options for Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) by situation; next to each area you will find a nearby hotels link.
Where to Stay in Which Situation?
| Situation |
Istanbul Airport |
Sabiha Gökçen |
| International transfer, no entry into Turkey |
YOTELAIR in the transit area |
Ask the airport about rest facilities in the transit area |
| Late-night arrival, travelling on the next day |
YOTEL in the terminal or Arnavutköy / Göktürk |
Kurtköy |
| Very early morning flight |
YOTEL in the terminal |
Kurtköy |
| A day in the city first, then the flight |
Gayrettepe / Levent (M11) |
Kadıköy, Kartal, Pendik (M4) |
Accommodation Near Istanbul Airport (IST)
- YOTELAIR Istanbul Airport (Airside)
In the transit area, without passing passport control
Istanbul Airport main terminal, international departures level, transit (duty free) area
For transfer passengers: you can stay without entering Turkey, no visa or passport control needed. Hourly stays are also available.
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- YOTEL Istanbul Airport (Landside)
In the terminal building, outside passport control
Istanbul Airport main terminal, city side
For passengers landing late at night or flying early in the morning, accommodation without leaving the terminal.
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- Arnavutköy and Göktürk Area
A short drive from the airport
Arnavutköy centre, Göktürk, Kemerburgaz
Hotels that are more affordable than those inside the terminal. Arrange your night transfer in advance.
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- Gayrettepe – Levent (on the M11 metro line)
Stay in the city and take the metro to the airport
Gayrettepe, Esentepe, Levent, Şişli
The M11 metro runs directly between Gayrettepe and Istanbul Airport. Check the first and last train times against your flight time.
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Accommodation Near Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
- Kurtköy
The closest hotel area to Sabiha Gökçen
Kurtköy Mahallesi, Pendik
A few kilometres from the airport. The most practical option before an early flight.
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- Pendik and Kartal
Connected by Marmaray and the M4 metro
Pendik, Kartal seafront and centre
The M4 metro (Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen Airport) passes through these areas. If you are heading into the city the next day, Marmaray is also close.
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- Kadıköy
The start of the M4 metro line
Kadıköy centre
For those who want to explore the Asian side and reach Sabiha Gökçen on the M4 without changing.
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Getting to the Airport
- Istanbul Airport: the M11 metro (connected to Gayrettepe and Kâğıthane) and Havaist buses to many points in the city. Check havaist.com.tr for lines with night services.
- Sabiha Gökçen: the M4 metro (Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen Airport) and Havabüs buses.
- If you are transferring between the two airports, allow at least 3 hours; depending on traffic the journey can take 1.5 hours.
Short Notes for Transfer Passengers
- Turkish Airlines offers a free hotel and a free city tour on some long-layover international tickets. Conditions depend on the fare class and layover time; check with Turkish Airlines before your flight.
- If you leave the airport to stay in the city, you pass through passport control; citizens of some countries need a visa.
- On a short layover (under 6 hours), resting in the terminal is usually safer than going into the city.
Detailed guides for getting from the airport to the city: How to Get from Istanbul Airport to Taksim? and How to Get from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Kadıköy and Taksim?
This page was prepared in 2026 for information purposes. Addresses, phone numbers and admission conditions may change; please call the institution to confirm before you set off.
