Pendik, Istanbul to Abu Dhabi (SAW–AUH) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
SAW–AUH is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Pegasus leads the route. The flight covers 1,850 miles in approximately 5h 30m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC Pegasus | 7 | 320 | 5h30 | – | – | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Abu Dhabi from Pendik, Istanbul
| Metric | SAW→AUH | IST→AUH |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from SAW | – | 40 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 4 |
| Weekly flights | 7 | 35 |
| Flight time | 5h 30m | 4h 35m |
Travel Essentials
SAW: +03 · AUH: +04
When it's 6:00 PM in Pendik, Istanbul, it's 7:00 PM in Abu Dhabi.
Turkish passport holders enter the UAE visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. At Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), or Sharjah (SHJ), immigration scans your passport, takes a retinal scan, and stamps you in. The process takes a few minutes in the smart gates lane if you have an Emirates ID or are enrolled in the ICA Smart Travel program.
The 90-day allowance resets after 180 days from your first entry. For longer stays or work, apply for a residence visa through a UAE sponsor. Turkish nationals make up one of the largest expat communities in Dubai, with Turkish restaurants, schools, and business networks well established across the city.
Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Dubai run about 4 hours on Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and flydubai. Istanbul to Abu Dhabi runs about 4 hours 15 minutes on Etihad and Turkish Airlines. The UAE uses the UAE dirham (AED), pegged at 3.67 AED per $1, trading at roughly 0.10 AED per TRY 1. Card payments work everywhere. The Dubai Metro Red and Green lines cost AED 3 to AED 8.50 per trip (TRY 30 to TRY 85) on a Nol card. Abu Dhabi buses run at AED 2 per ride. Taxis are metered in both cities starting at AED 12 in Dubai.
Careem and Uber serve the airport at AED 45–70 to downtown Abu Dhabi (25–40 min). Official taxis at the curb: AED 50–80. Bus E101 to Central Bus Station costs AED 4 and takes 45 minutes but runs infrequently; verify schedule before relying on it.For Dubai: shared taxis from the airport cost AED 75–100/seat; private taxis AED 200–350 (90–120 min). Rental car desks are in the arrivals hall. The new terminal (Terminal A opened 2023) handles most Etihad flights; confirm which terminal for ground transport.
Hyper-arid desert climate on the Arabian Gulf coast. Summers (June–September) are extreme at 38–47°C with very high humidity. Outdoor exposure is extreme in July and August. Ground handling and ramp operations are affected by heat protocols. Haboob (sandstorm) events reduce visibility and may cause ground stops.
Winter (December–February) is the peak travel season at 18–27°C with clear skies and minimal disruption risk. The airport almost never sees rain. When rain does occur (typically December–February), local drainage infrastructure can briefly flood access roads. Overall, AUH is one of the most operationally consistent major hubs globally.
SAW–AUH Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SAW to AUH
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) and Zayed International Airport (AUH) are connected by nonstop service from Pegasus. With 7 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
SAW to AUH Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SAW to AUH is about 5 hours 30 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 1,850 miles (2,977 km). There are approximately 7 weekly flights outbound and 5 return, totaling 12 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Hamad, Cairo and Damascus. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Istanbul (IST).