Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)

Common Complaints

• Overcrowding and Limited Seating: The airport frequently experiences severe overcrowding, especially in waiting areas, with a scarcity of available seats, many of which have unmovable armrests, making rest difficult.
• High Prices for Food and Services: A pervasive complaint is the exorbitant pricing of food, beverages, and duty-free items, with some calling it "ridiculously overpriced".
• Poor Staff English Proficiency and Rudeness: Numerous reviews highlight a significant language barrier with staff, who often do not speak basic English, coupled with reports of unhelpful, impatient, and rude behavior from airport personnel, including security and passport control officers.
• Inconsistent Wi-Fi and Lack of Free Water: The free Wi-Fi is often problematic, being limited to 30 minutes, requiring a queue for access codes, or simply not functioning. Additionally, many travelers struggle to find free drinking water.
• Security and Immigration Delays: Despite some positive experiences, many report slow and confusing security and immigration lines, contributing to overall inefficiency. Current average security wait times are around 29 minutes, and immigration around 8 minutes.
• Lack of Air Conditioning/Poor Climate Control: A recurring issue is the lack of effective air conditioning, leading to uncomfortably hot terminals.
• Taxi Scams: Travelers frequently warn about scams by official airport taxi services (SAWKOOP), advising against them due to overcharging and aggressive drivers.

Overall, while Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport offers modern infrastructure and can be efficient for some domestic journeys, international travelers frequently encounter significant challenges including overcrowding, high costs, communication barriers, and staff unhelpfulness, suggesting a need for substantial improvements in passenger experience and services.