Istanbul Car Rental

SAW and IST Airports: Which Should You Choose?

Istanbul has two airports separated by more than 70 km. Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is on the Anatolian side, while Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side. Your choice of airport should match where you plan to stay and travel. RentaCarSAW compares rates from 100+ companies at both airports, helping you save 25-40% with real-time price comparison.

For Anatolian-side stays — Kadıköy, Pendik, Kartal, Tuzla — a SAW pickup makes most sense. For European-side destinations — Beyoğlu, Şişli, Beşiktaş, Bakırköy — IST is the logical choice. One-way rentals from SAW to IST are among the most frequently requested routes on our platform.

City Traffic and Bridge Costs

For sightseeing within the city centre, metro and Marmaray connections are often faster than driving. A rental vehicle delivers its real value when you need to cross between the two sides frequently, or when making day trips outside Istanbul. Both the Fatíh Sultan Mehmet Bridge (FSM) and Osmangazi Bridge require HGS toll payment. The Avrasya Tunnel offers the fastest Bosphorus crossing. Parking in the historic peninsula and Beyoğlu costs approximately 80-150 TL per hour — plan this into your schedule.

Istanbul Surrounding Tour Routes

Istanbul is an ideal base for numerous day trips within a few hours’ drive:

• Sapanca – Maşukiye: 130 km — lakeside nature and forest restaurants
• Abant – Bolu: 270 km — mountain lake and scenic highland roads
• Bursa: approximately 2.5 hours via the Osmangazi Bridge — Uludağ, the Grand Bazaar, and local cuisine
• Şile – Ağva: Black Sea coast beaches and fishing villages

Selecting the Right Vehicle

For city-only use, an economy or compact car keeps costs low and makes parking easier in tight streets. If you plan frequent bridge crossings or extended highway drives, a mid-size model offers more comfort. For mountain or off-road day trips — especially towards Bolu or Uludağ — an SUV is the smarter choice.

Car Rental Locations

RentaCarSAW has offices at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) and Istanbul Airport (IST), as well as city-centre pickup points. Book in advance, especially during summer weekends and public holidays. For reservations and 24/7 support: +90 850 304 94 30.