If you’re flying or transiting through Istanbul, you’ll go through either Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (also known as SAW) or Istanbul International Airport (IST).
In some cases, you might even arrive at one airport and fly out from the other, particularly if you’re catching a domestic flight from SAW!
No matter the case, there are many reasons to book a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
Most importantly, it’s nice to be comfortable during your trip, especially if you have a long layover or you’re on a long-haul trip (for example, flying from Europe to Asia). It’s nice to have a place where you can take a warm shower, recharge with some delicious food, and relax on a soft bed — at least for a few hours. 🙂
Likewise, staying at an airport hotel (or somewhere nearby) is especially convenient if you’re traveling with a group or with family. Many of the airport hotels on this list have extra perks, such as a spa and wellness center, pool, lounge, and so on.
Last but certainly not least, it’s important to keep in mind how far Sabiha Gokcen Airport is to the center of Istanbul. SAW Airport to Sultanahmet (the old center) is about 1 hour, while to Beyoglu it’s about 50 minutes. It’s quite a drive!
To save time, money, and convenience, why not book a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen Airport? This list will go over the best airport hotels near SAW (with an average rating of 8.5!), as well as airport hotels with a free shuttle, complimentary breakfast, and plenty of other perks. Let’s check it out!
Practical Travel Tips for SAW Airport
Before we jump into our list of the best hotels near Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı (the official name in Turkish!), lets go over a few helpful tips to make the most of your journey.
Taxis
Most people are usually hesitant to get a taxi from Sabiha Gökçen (or any airport, for that matter) for three reasons: it’s expensive, it’s hard to find a taxi, and/or the driver might scam you.
Let’s break it down, starting with the first point: Taxis from Sabiha Gokcen Airport are quite budget-friendly, especially if you’re not going too far. Depending on which hotel you choose from this list, your taxi fare will only be a few dollars.
Likewise, finding a taxi is very straightforward. The airport made it easy for visitors to find a taxi by setting up an official taxi stand right outside of the Arrivals area. All you need to do is simply walk up to the employee, wait a few minutes in line, and they will automatically assign a taxi to you.
Finally, travelers are afraid of taxi scams. While this is an (unfortunate) problem in Istanbul, you can protect yourself reading our 10 Common Istanbul Taxi Scams (And How to Avoid Them!) blog post here →
If you prefer not to deal with taxis, then no worries — you can either opt to stay at the hotel inside SAW airport (Kepler Club) or choose a hotel that offers a shuttle. Which brings us to the next point….
Transfers & Hotel Shuttles
About half of the hotels listed below offer a complimentary shuttle or some sort of transfer. Some have a free shuttle that circles around on a schedule, one hotel offers a free taxi trip back to SAW airport (i.e. they will pay your taxi fare), and others have an on-demand shuttle.
Our Selection Method
The following hotels are the best of the best, and we mean it! To be selected for this list, each hotel must be less than a 10 minute drive from SAW airport, have an excellent rating (8 or above), and be established.
Likewise, we tried to include hotels that are suitable for a variety of travelers (i.e. those traveling with families, business travelers, budget-friendly, luxury, etc)
Hotels Inside Sabiha Gokcen Airport
There is only one hotel inside SAW Airport, but it’s amazing! If you prefer to stay inside the hotel during your layover (or before your flight), then this is an excellent choice.
Kepler Club
Distance from SAW: Inside the airport
Best for: Everyone (families, solo travelers), short layovers, long layovers
Hands down, Kepler is one of the best airport lounges in SAW — and our personal favorite! We’ve been here a few times when flying out of Sabiha Gokcen and are always happy with the friendly staff and beautiful interior. Best of all, they recently opened in 2020!
Likewise, it’s the only airside hotel in SAW airport, which means that it’s inside the transit area and you do not need a visa if you’re on a layover.
Travelers who want to use Kepler Club have three options:
1 – A lounge for short visits and a place to relax before your flight
2 – An area with sleeping cabins (similar to the famous capsule hotels in Japan)
3 – A full-fledged hotel with private rooms (single, double, or king rooms)
The lounge is a spacious terrace with plenty of seating, desks (with outlets), bathroom/shower area, and a tea and coffee station. This is a great choice if you need to relax for only a few hours before your flight.
The next option is to rent a sleeping cabin. There is a men’s room and a women’s room (i.e. they are separated by gender!) with individual sleeping ‘pods.’ Inside each pod is a comfortable mattress and pillow, storage area, slide-out desk, and TV.
Each room is adjacent to the bathroom and shower area (which is shared with the lounge guests) and all necessary amenities, such as towels, bath slippers, shampoo, soap, and mouthwash are provided for free.
But that’s not all: Kepler even has a smart delivery robot — aptly-named Johannes 😉 — that will be happy to deliver your duty-free purchases!
Those who are looking for the ultimate in privacy and relaxation should opt for a private room (also known as Family Room). These are super spacious and come with two comfortable beds, a private bathroom, and the typical amenities. They’re an excellent choice if you have a long layover and/or if you’re traveling with a family, since each room can comfortably fit 2 to 4 guests.
If you’re looking for one of the best airport hotels in Istanbul (and even the whole country!), Kepler Club is sure to live up to your expectations. We only wish that they would expand to other countries. 🙂
Hotels near Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Now let’s look at the best hotels close to SAW airport.
Most of the hotels we’ll mention are located on a stretch of Osmanlı Boulevard, which close to SAW airport (a 5-minute drive) and has many establishments (cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, and even a shopping mall).
ISG Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel
Distance from SAW: 700 meters | 0.4 mi | 5 mins drive
Shuttle? Yes – Free
Rating: 8.7
Best for: Everyone, business travelers, families, groups
Starting our list of the best hotels near Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel is none other than their official hotel. 🙂
Located just 700 meters (0.4 miles) from the main terminal, this is also the closest hotel to SAW airport.
ISG Hotel is also the largest, with a total of 128 rooms: 116 Deluxe rooms, 4 Junior Suites, and 8 Corner Suites. Travelers can choose between having two separate beds or one large King size bed. Likewise, there are both smoking and non-smoking rooms available.
Families and large groups who are traveling together can also opt to reserve one of three Connecting Rooms.
This is also the best hotel near SAW airport for business travelers, since there are five meeting rooms that can hold up to 100 attendees.
Besides comfortable rooms, the hotel also offers a fully-stocked fitness center with 2 saunas, lounge area, and an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Last but not least, there is a free shuttle that departs every 30 minutes and works 24/7. Otherwise, it’s a 5-minute walk from the airport to the hotel.
Hampton by Hilton Kurtkoy
Distance from SAW: 2.2 km | 1.3 mi | 3 minute drive
Shuttle? No
Rating: 8.1
If you’re looking for a comfortable stay with quintessential Hilton hospitality and service, this is the place.
Located on the Osmanlı Boulevard plaza (mentioned above), Hampton Kurtkoy is known for its 5-star service, friendly employees, and modern rooms. In fact, this hotel has the most room types, including Twin, Double, and Queen rooms, with a choice of non-smoking/smoking and balcony/city views.
At the base of the hotel is a Starbucks (with very friendly baristas!), as well as a large plaza with tons of cafes, restaurants (The Hunger is a favorite), and a Watsons (health and beauty store).
Nearport Sabiha Gokcen Airport Hotel
Distance from SAW: 2.5 km | 1.5 mi | 5 minute drive
Shuttle? Yes – Free
Rating: 8.5
Nearport Hotel is one of the most popular airport hotels near SAW — it’s even in their name! 😉
This hotel is located right next to Hampton by Hilton Kurtkoy (mentioned above), and offers 96 rooms with neutral modern decor with minimalist touches.
If you have a long layover and prefer to stay close to the hotel, there’s an in-house restaurant that serves a la carte dishes and desserts. In the mood to work up a sweat? There’s also a spa and fitness center, and an open-air terrace to cool down.
Nearport Sabiha Gokcen Hotel is also great for business travelers. There are 4 meeting rooms/conference halls, and each hotel room has a comfortable desk and chair if you need to do some work.
My Palace Rooms
Distance from SAW: 2.5 km | 1.5 mi | 5 minute drive
Shuttle? No – They offer a complimentary taxi trip back to SAW (see below)
Rating: 8.2
Best for: Budget travelers
One of the most budget-friendly hotels near SAW airport is My Palace Rooms, where studios start at just $30 USD per night.
There is also the option to double your space and upgrade to a spacious Suite for a few extra dollars, or opt for a Family Room (which has 1 double bed and 4 single beds!)
We’ve stayed here almost every time we flew through Sabiha Gokcen and were pleased with the accommodations and service. The hotel shares an expansive lobby with two other hotels and has a restaurant, spa, fitness area, and even a vending machine (great if you get the munchies at night!)
This hotel is literally next door to the two hotels mentioned above (Hampton and Nearport), so if they’re sold out, this is another great option 🙂
While the hotel doesn’t have its own shuttle, they will offer a complimentary taxi back to SAW airport.
Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Asia Airport
Distance from SAW: 2.5 km | 1.5 mi | 5 minute drive
Shuttle? Yes – Free with scheduled departures
Rating: 9.2
Best for: Families, couples, luxury travel
If you’re looking for a hotel that has it all, Mövenpick İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel certainly delivers. The hotel just opened (in October 2021), is set in a gorgeous building, and offers the typical high-standard service that Movenpick is known for.
Besides the standard Twin, Double, Queen, and King rooms, this hotel also offers connecting rooms, Suites, and even Corner Suites.
There are two on-site restaurants: Mint, which serves an open-buffet breakfast and Mediterranean cuisine, and Bistro Swiss, which has European and Swiss dishes on the menu. There’s also Cafe de Pera, which offers coffee, desserts, and handmade chocolates.
Just a few minutes’ walk is a plaza with dozens of restaurants and cafes, including Starbucks, Gloria Jean’s, Fanburger, SushiCo, and more, plus a modern shopping center.
Looking to relax before or after your flight? Mövenpick has an amazing spa and wellness center, featuring a hammam, classic spa treatments (massages and facials), and an indoor pool.
Tevetoglu Hotel
Distance from SAW: 3.3 km | 2 mi | 7 minute drive
Shuttle? No
Rating: 8.2
Tevetoglu Hotel is a good mid-range option with nice and standard rooms, a good price point, and all the amenities you typically expect in a hotel.
The hotel has a total of 46 rooms: 22 Standard Rooms, 16 Family Rooms, 6 Deluxe Rooms, and 2 King Deluxe Rooms.
A convenient bonus is that the hotel offers room service, as well as daily breakfast.
Emin Residence
Distance from SAW: 3.4 km | 2.1 mi | 7 minute drive
Shuttle? No
Rating: 8.5
Best for: Families, large groups, travelers who want an apartment
For that home away from home feeling, Emin Residence is the place to go — it’s situated just 3 kilometers from SAW airport and is actually an aparthotel (apartment-hotel).
Each apartment includes a stocked kitchen (cups, pots, pans, etc), a washing machine, and balcony. There are tons of different apartment options to choose from, such as Deluxe and Junior suites (maximum 2 guests) and up to Deluxe Family Suites (up to 7 adults and 2 kids).
At the entrance of the building there is everything you need to have a comfortable stay, including two grocery stores (Bim and A101), a pharmacy, and some restaurants.
Crowne Plaza Istanbul – Asia, an IHG Hotel
Distance from SAW: 5 km | 3.1 mi | 8 minute drive
Shuttle? Yes – Free
Rating: 8.8
Best for: Families, Shopping
While we’re coming close to the end of this blog post, we’re not done just yet… In fact, we have the crème de la crème of hotels near SAW airport — and it’s none other than this stunning Crowne Plaza gem!
This hotel has an excellent location: it’s next to one of the best outlet malls in Istanbul and only an 8-minute drive from Sabiha Gokcen airport.
Be sure to do some last-minute shopping at Viaport Mall (Viaport AVM), which has 250 stores like Adidas, Calvin Klein, Columbia, Decathlon, Mango, Nike, Samsonite (in case you need another suitcase 😉 ), and Yves Rocher.
If you’re traveling with kids in tow, there’s also a cinema, bowling alley, mini amusement park (with swings and bumper cars), and pony club to keep them occupied.
Let’s go back and check out what the hotel has to offer. Guests can reserve one of five rooms (Twin, Double, King, Corner King, or President), or any of the previous rooms with lounge access. Speaking of which… Like many other Crowne Plaza hotels, this one also has a business lounge where visitors can enjoy complimentary drinks, food, and a relaxing atmosphere.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, İstanbul Tuzla
Distance from SAW: 8 km | 5 mi | 11 minute drive
Shuttle? No
Rating: 8.6
Why settle for a regular hotel when you can enjoy a luxurious layover in Istanbul? 🙂
When we say luxurious, we mean it — this Radisson Blu hotel definitely deserves its 5-star status thanks to the friendly and hospitable staff, well-appointed rooms, and the tons of extra amenities (such as room service, fitness center, a beautiful garden, and more).
However, this hotel really stands out for its huge spa and wellness center. The spa offers dozens of different treatments, such as a Pro-Sleep Massage (perfect after long flights!), the Miracle Snail face treatment, Reflexology, and a Foot/Hand ritual.
All guests can enjoy the common areas, including multiple sauna rooms, a traditional Turkish hammam, two indoor pools, one outdoor pool, a jacuzzi zone, and the Zen Garden. Plus, there’s also a separate ladies only zone near the spa.
If you prefer to relax in the comfort of your own room, some suites have gorgeous marble in-suite hammam, while the Presidential Suite even has a built-in sauna room!
There are about a dozen different room types to choose from. All rooms have a city or garden view, and some come with a balcony, jacuzzi, and/or terrace.
TRAVEL RESOURCES
Planning to visit Istanbul during your layover at SAW Airport? Or maybe you need to figure out how to get between SAW Airport and Sultanahmet / Taksim / Kadikoy? We have what you need! 😉
Click any of the blog posts below for more information:
📍 SAW Airport to Kadikoy Guide: 5+ Ways to Get to Kadikoy
📍 SAW Airport to Taksim Guide: 4+ Transportation Options
📍 SAW Airport to Sultanahmet (Istanbul Old Town) Guide: 5 Ways
📍 Istanbul Airport vs Sabiha Gökçen Airport: Which One Should You Choose?
