Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) - An Important Aviation Centre
Overview of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is one of the busiest airports in Turkey, located on the Asian side of Istanbul, approximately 40 km from the city centre. Named after Sabiha Gökçen, the world's first female fighter pilot, the airport serves as an important alternative to Istanbul International Airport (IST ) and is an important hub for domestic and international flights.
Serving more than30 million passengersannually, SAW is home to many low-cost and full-service airlines offering affordable travel options to a variety of destinations. A primary hub forPegasus Airlines, SAW also serves as an important base of operations for Turkish Airlines and AnadoluJet.
The main features ofSabiha Gökçen Airport are as follows:
- Modernterminal facilities with an efficient passenger flow
- Extensive domestic and international flight network
- Duty-free shopping, catering and business lounges
- Easytransport links by metro, bus, taxi and rental cars
- Affordable flight options, especially with low-cost carriers such as Pegasus Airlines
SAW offers a convenient alternative for passengers looking for cost-effective and efficient flights, especially for short-haul and regional journeys.
Flights from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Ercan International Airport (ECN) in Northern Cyprus
Ercan International Airport (ECN) inNorth Cyprus is the main airport serving Nicosia (Nicosia) and the surrounding areas. For political reasons, all flights to ECN must first stop in Turkey, making SAW one of the primary transit airports for flights to Northern Cyprus.
Direct Flight Restrictions
International flights from outside Turkey cannot land directly at Ercan Airport. Instead, all flights must first land at a Turkish airport before continuing to ECN.
Airlines Operating SAW - ECN Flights
Several airlines operate flights from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Ercan Airport every day:
- Pegasus Airlines - a leading low-cost airline with multiple daily flights.
- Turkish Airlines - A premium airline offering high quality service.
- AnadoluJet - A Turkish Airlines subsidiary focusing on budget-friendly travel.
Flight Duration
- SAW - ECN: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
- Transfers If you are travelling from an international destination, a short transit stop in Istanbul may be required.
Baggage Policies & Visa Requirements
- No visais required for Turkish and TRNC citizens.
- Foreign travellers should check TRNC entry requirements before booking a flight.
- Baggage allowance varies by airline and ticket type, so it is recommended to check in advance.
With numerous daily flights and low-cost options, SAW is one of the most popular departure points for travellers heading to North Cyprus.
Flights from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to South Cyprus Airports (Larnaca & Paphos)
There are two international airports in Southern Cyprus:
- Larnaca International Airport (LCA) - the largest airport near the city of Larnaca, serving as the primary point of entry.
- Paphos International Airport (PFO) - A smaller airport serving mainly tourists and leisure travellers.
Flight Restrictions and Travel Considerations
- Dueto the political division of Cyprus,there are no direct flights from SAWto Larnaca (LCA) or Paphos (PFO).
- Travellers from Turkey musttransit throughanother country (e.g. Greece, UK, Germany) to reach Cyprus.
- Turkish passport holdersrequire a visa to enter the Republic of Cyprus.
Popular Transit Routes from SAW to LCA or PFO
As direct flights are not available, passengers travelling from SAW to South Cyprus are required to transit via a third country as follows
- Athens, Greece (ATH) - a common transit point with daily flights to Cyprus.
- London, United Kingdom (LHR, LGW, STN) - Various airlines offer SAW-London-LCA/PFO routes.
- Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) - an important European hub for passengers travelling to Cyprus.
- Rome, Italy (FCO ) - another transit option to reach Cyprus.
Airlines Offering SAW to LCA/PFO via Transit Cities
- Aegean Airlines (via Athens)
- Lufthansa (via Frankfurt)
- British Airways (via London)
- Turkish Airlines & Partner Airlines (via Schengen Area cities)
Travel Time and Costs
- Total journey time: 5-10 hours depending on transit time.
- Ticket prices vary, but flights to South Cyprus tend to be more expensive due to fewer airline options.
Baggage and Visa Requirements
- EU citizens can enter Cyprus without a visa.
- Turkish passport holders require aRepublic of Cyprus visa, subject to approval.
- Baggage policies depend on the airline and the route followed.
Gettingfrom SAW to South Cyprus requires a layover, but many travellers choose this route for business or leisure purposes.
Comparison Sabiha Gökçen - North and South Cyprus Flights
Feature SAW → Ercan (ECN) SAW → Larnaca (LCA) / Paphos (PFO)
Direct Flights ✅ Yes (only via Turkey) ❌ No (requires a stopover)
Pegasus, Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet Aegean, British Airways, Lufthansa (connecting)
Flight Duration ~1.5 hours 5-10 hours (with layover)
Visa for Turkish Citizens ❌ No visa required ✅ Visa required
Entry Restrictions Must transit through Turkey Requires EU/Schengen transit
Cost More affordable Overall higher
For travellers lookingfor direct and budget-friendly flights, Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW ) is the best option to reach Northern Cyprus (Ercan Airport - ECN). However, passengers travelling to Southern Cyprus (Larnaca or Paphos) will need to transit through a third country and obtain the necessary visa.
Choosing the Best Flight Route from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to Cyprus
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) serves as an important gateway for passengers travelling to Cyprus and there are different flight options depending on the destination:
- For Northern Cyprus (Ercan Airport - ECN):
- Direct flights are available (via Turkey).
- No visarequired for Turkish citizens.
- Fast and affordable flight options.
- For Southern Cyprus (Larnaca & Paphos):
- No direct flights - requires transit through another country.
- Visarequired for Turkish passport holders.
- Longer and potentially more costly journey.
Passengers can choose the best route based on their final destination, travel requirements and budget. Sabiha Gökçen Airport offers convenient, low-cost and efficient travel options, especially for those travelling to Northern Cyprus.
