Transfer at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Istanbul - Blue Mosque

The airport has one large terminal, which is relatively uncluttered. However, large crowds are to be expected at certain times of the day.

The terminal is divided into a domestic section, which handles flights only within Turkey, and an international section. Each section has a separate security checkpoint.

In the case of the international area, security is immediately followed by passport control.

Security and passport control

Especially in case of early morning departures, we recommend to be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure, as the queue for passport and security control can stretch up to 60 minutes.

Expect passport control queues of between 20 and 45 minutes after arrival from an international flight.

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Transfer between flights

Sabiha Gökcen Airport is a frequent transfer point between Europe and the Middle East thanks to Pegasus Airlines. The terminal is set up for transiting passengers and if you have a connection guaranteed by the airline, you don't have to leave the transit area.

For transfers, Sabiha Gökcen Airport is significantly clearer and, more importantly, faster than much larger airports. Istanbul IST.

International <-> International

After getting off the plane, follow the blue marked corridor International Transfer Connection.

If you did not receive a boarding pass for your connecting flight when you checked in at the first airport, Pegasus Airlines and AJet counters are available 24/7 in the transfer corridor.

After passing through security, you'll find yourself directly in the departure gate area.

  • Average transfer time - 20 to 30 minutes
  • Security check - yes
  • Passport control - no
  • Baggage on transfer - will be transferred automatically

International -> Domestic

If you are connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight within Turkey, follow the pink corridor when you get off the plane.

This will take you to a separate passport control for transferring passengers and then to security control.

On some days this corridor is not available and passengers must pass through passport control to the public area and then through the common security checkpoint for all passengers to the departure gates.

  • Average transfer time - 30 to 60 minutes
  • Security check - yes
  • Passport control - yes
  • Transfer baggage - will be automatically transferred

Domestic -> International

After exiting the aircraft, you must exit the transit area to the public section, take the elevator or escalator to the first floor and go through security and passport control to the departure gates of the international section.

  • Average transfer time - 30 to 60 minutes
  • Security check - yes
  • Passport control - yes
  • Baggage on transfer - will be transferred automatically
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