<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-11-14</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001020265</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SABRE HOLDINGS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NYSE: TSG</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199299</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LINDNER RICHARD G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3150 SABRE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOUTHLAKE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>76092</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Deferred Stock Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>21.82</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-11-14</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F2"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>14.84</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>21.82</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F3"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Class A Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>14.84</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4639.76</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The deemed purchase price for such securities is the fair market value of shares of Sabre Holdings' Class A Common Stock on November 14, 2003, the payment date for a cash dividend.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Reflects automatic reinvestment of a cash dividend on securities held as of October 31, 2003, the record date for such dividend, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Sabre Holdings Corporation 2003 Directors Deferred Compensation and Deferred Stock Unit Plan.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Deferred Stock Units are accrued under Sabre Holdings Corporation 2003 Directors Deferred Compensation and Deferred Stock Unit Plan and are to be settled in cash after the Reporting Person leaves the Board of Directors.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Richard G. Lindner by James F. Brashear, attorney-in-fact</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-18</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

