Sabiha Airport to Arnavutkoy
Overview
Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Arnavutköy covers around 69.5 km and takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes, crossing from the Asian side over the Bosphorus to one of Istanbul's oldest waterfront neighbourhoods. Inside arrivals your Haqqi Tours driver waits with your name held up, timing the walk to the car against your actual landing time at Sabiha Gökçen rather than the printed schedule, and the V-Class or Sprinter that meets you carries no other booking that day. The fare for this Arnavutköy crossing is fixed in writing over WhatsApp beforehand, in Arabic or English, so once the bridge is behind you there is nothing left to negotiate. It suits visitors drawn to the wooden Ottoman mansions and seafood restaurants lining the water, rather than a quick airport-district stop, so settle in for a scenic crossing before dinner by the Bosphorus.
Highlights
- Cross-Bosphorus journey from Sabiha covering roughly 69.5 km.
- Drive takes about 50 to 60 minutes including the bridge crossing.
- Ends in one of Istanbul's oldest waterfront neighbourhoods.
- Wooden Ottoman mansions line streets close to the water.
- Seafood restaurants sit right along the Bosphorus shoreline.
- Driver tracks your Sabiha landing before the bridge crossing begins.
- One fixed WhatsApp fare covers the entire cross-city drive.
Route details
About the destination
Arnavutköy is a historic Bosphorus neighborhood in Istanbul, renowned for its 19th-century wooden Ottoman mansions, colorful Art Nouveau architecture, and vibrant waterfront seafood restaurants.
Hotels nearby
- Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Airport, Arnavutkoy
- Ramada by Wyndham Istanbul Airport Arnavutkoy
- Menalo Hotel Premium Istanbul Airport
Landmarks nearby
- Historic Ottoman Wooden Mansions (Yalılar)
- Aya Strati Taksiarhi Greek Orthodox Church
- Tevfikiye Mosque
- Akıntıburnu Coastline
Restaurants nearby
- Sur Balık
- Adem Baba
- Antica Locanda
- Arnavutköy Balıkçısı
Nearest metro
Arnavutköy Hastane Metro Station (M11)
Good to know
- Head for the far end of arrivals at Sabiha, where drivers gather away from the taxi queues.
- Exchange a little cash before this longer cross-city drive to the Bosphorus side.
- Book an evening table at a waterfront restaurant ahead, since Arnavutköy gets busy at sunset.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets around the historic wooden mansions.
- Allow extra time for the bridge crossing during Istanbul's evening rush hour.
- Confirm your exact hotel or restaurant address with the driver before leaving Sabiha.