Quick answer. Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) is Istanbul's second airport, on the Asian side. In arrivals, skip the exchange counters and the standalone machines that push their own conversion, and use a Ziraat Bankasi (state bank), Garanti BBVA or Isbank ATM. They dispense Turkish lira at the interbank rate; some now add a small withdrawal fee posted on screen, so a Wise or Charles Schwab card (which refunds operator fees) is the cleaner setup. Always refuse the ATM's own conversion and decline DCC, choosing Turkish lira, or you lose 5-12% instantly. Into the city: the M4 metro now runs from the terminal to Kadikoy (about 52 minutes, ~42 TRY), where the Marmaray crosses to the European side; or take the Havabus coach direct to Taksim (about 90 minutes).
Where to get lira at SAW
The key Sabiha Gokcen fact is that the exchange counters and standalone ATMs are the expensive option, while a Turkish bank ATM (Ziraat, Garanti BBVA or Isbank) gives the interbank lira rate, provided you refuse the machine's own conversion and choose lira. Some bank ATMs now add a small withdrawal fee. The cost math below assumes you withdraw or exchange the equivalent of $100 in lira.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ziraat / Garanti / Isbank ATM, lira chosen (SAW arrivals) | Arrivals | Interbank rate; possible small withdrawal fee | ~$97-100 |
| Bank ATM + Schwab (withdrawal fee refunded) | Arrivals | Interbank rate, fee refunded | ~$100 |
| Accepting the ATM's own conversion | Arrivals | +5-12% built into the machine rate | ~$88-93 |
| Exchange counter (SAW arrivals) | Arrivals | Worse than a bank ATM | ~$90-95 |
| Accepting DCC on a card payment | Anywhere | +5-10% if you choose 'charge in USD' | ~$90-95 |
Where to find the Ziraat Bankasi, Garanti BBVA and Isbank ATMs at Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International (SAW) is Istanbul's second and lower-cost airport, on the Asian (Anatolian) side of the city, and the base for Pegasus and other low-cost carriers. It has one large terminal. In arrivals you will see exchange counters and standalone ATMs, many of which push a poor 'convert for you' rate and a per-transaction fee. The fix is a real Turkish bank ATM carrying the Ziraat Bankasi (the state bank), Garanti BBVA or Isbank wordmark. They accept foreign Visa and Mastercard and dispense lira at the interbank rate. The catch specific to Turkey: many bank ATMs now add their own withdrawal fee for foreign cards, shown on screen before you confirm, so a card that refunds operator fees (Charles Schwab) or has no FX markup (Wise) makes the biggest difference. Turkey has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner. The single most important move at any Turkish ATM is to refuse the machine's own currency conversion (it will offer to bill you in dollars at a rate 5-12% worse) and choose Turkish lira, then decline DCC again if prompted.
Main Terminal (Asian-side, single terminal)
Pegasus Airlines (the low-cost hub carrier), plus AnadoluJet, Turkish Airlines domestic and international services, flydubai, Wizz Air and other low-cost and regional carriers. The single terminal handles all flights
In arrivals, walk past the exchange counters and the standalone 'we convert for you' machines and look for a Ziraat Bankasi, Garanti BBVA or Isbank ATM. Insert a foreign Visa or Mastercard, and when the screen offers to bill you in dollars, decline it and choose Turkish lira. Watch for any on-screen withdrawal fee (a Schwab card refunds it). Take enough lira for a taxi or the Istanbulkart, then head to the M4 metro station or the Havabus stop.
Do you actually need cash at Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)?
Partly. Istanbul's taxis, bazaars, street food and smaller cafes want cash lira, and the Istanbulkart runs the public transit. Malls, chain hotels and larger restaurants take cards. Here is what works on a card and where cash still helps:
M4 metro (airport extension) (~42 TRY to Kadikoy): Ride the M4 from the Sabiha Gokcen Airport station to Kadikoy (about 52 minutes), tapping an Istanbulkart at the gates; connect via Marmaray under the Bosphorus to the European side. Cheapest option, slower with luggage.
Havabus coach (A few hundred TRY to Taksim): Direct coach from outside arrivals to Taksim on the European side in about 90 minutes; pay at the counter or on board. The simplest single ride for European-side hotels.
Taxi (Metered, higher to the European side): Yellow airport taxis use the meter; a ride to the Asian side (Kadikoy) is reasonable, but crossing to the European side can be slow and costly in traffic. Refuse fixed 'special' fares and insist on the meter.
Uber / BiTaksi (App-metered): Uber routes you to a licensed taxi and BiTaksi is the local taxi app; both bill your card through the app and avoid fare haggling.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) to Istanbul?
No. M4 metro (airport extension) accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order lira before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical lira to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 lira for taxis and tips on day one.
Which ATM at Sabiha Gokcen should I use, and what is the conversion trap?
Use a Ziraat Bankasi, Garanti BBVA or Isbank ATM in arrivals rather than an exchange counter or a standalone machine. The trap at Turkish ATMs is the machine's own conversion: it will offer to charge you in your home currency (US dollars) at a rate 5 to 12 percent worse than the interbank rate. Always decline that and choose to be billed in Turkish lira, letting your own bank do the conversion. Many Turkish bank ATMs also now add a withdrawal fee for foreign cards, posted on screen, so a Charles Schwab card (which refunds operator fees) or a Wise card (no FX markup) is the cleanest setup. Turkey has no Bank of America Alliance partner.
How do I get from Sabiha Gokcen into Istanbul on the metro?
The M4 metro line was extended to the airport, so you can now ride it directly from the Sabiha Gokcen Airport station to Kadikoy on the Asian side in about 52 minutes for roughly 42 lira; trains run every few minutes from early morning to around midnight (24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights). From Kadikoy, the Marmaray rail tunnel crosses under the Bosphorus to the European side (Sirkeci, then onward to Sultanahmet and Taksim by tram and metro). Tap an Istanbulkart, which you buy and load at the station, at every gate. It is much cheaper than a taxi, though slower with luggage.
Is the Havabus coach or the metro better from SAW to Taksim?
For Taksim and the European side directly, the Havabus coach is the simplest single ride: it runs from outside SAW arrivals to Taksim in about 90 minutes for a few hundred lira, paid at the counter or on board. The M4 metro plus Marmaray is cheaper and avoids traffic but involves changes and is awkward with big bags. If you are staying on the Asian side (Kadikoy, Moda), the M4 metro is clearly the best option. A taxi or Uber to the European side can be expensive and slow across the Bosphorus bridges, so for Taksim most travelers take the Havabus or the metro-plus-Marmaray combination.
Should I change money at the Sabiha Gokcen exchange counters?
Generally no. The exchange counters at SAW quote a lira rate that is worse than a bank ATM, and the standalone airport ATMs push their own conversion. A Ziraat, Garanti or Isbank ATM (declining the machine's conversion and choosing lira) gives you the interbank rate. If you brought US dollars or euros, the exchange offices (doviz) in central Istanbul, such as those in the Grand Bazaar area and Sirkeci, typically offer better rates than the airport, so change only what you need at the airport and the rest in town.