Istanbul Airport (IST), located about 35 kilometers northwest of Istanbul's city center, is a major international airport serving as Turkiye’s primary gateway and a critical hub connecting Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Since its opening in April 2019, the airport has quickly become one of the busiest airports in the world, celebrated for its modern facilities and extensive capacity.
Terminal layout and gates
The airport boasts a single, massive terminal divided into multiple concourses that facilitate efficient movement and handling of the high volume of passengers.
Concourse A
Serves domestic flights with gates A1 to A19. It offers quick access to lounges, retail shops and dining options suitable for short-haul travelers.
Concourses B and C
These handle international flights at gates B1 to B19 and C1 to C19. They accommodate wide-body aircraft and feature extensive duty-free shopping, international dining and premium lounges.
Concourses D and F
Mixed use for international and domestic flights, with gates D1 to D19 and F1 to F19. These concourses facilitate easy transfers between flight types and are equipped with family play areas, spa services and various lounges.
Baggage handling when connecting at IST
As previously mentioned, Istanbul Airport is a large hub and often used as a connecting airport. When it comes to the luggage handling, this depends on which type of ticket you have purchased, as presented below.
Single ticket connections: Travelers booked on a single ticket will have their baggage transferred automatically to subsequent flights.
Multiple tickets or airlines: Those with bookings on multiple tickets or different airlines may need to reclaim and recheck their luggage manually. Make sure you have a little extra time at your connecting airport if this is your case.
Security routine at Istanbul Airport
Travelers arriving at Istanbul Airport from countries within the Schengen area usually bypass further passport control or security screenings, as these flights are considered domestic within the zone.
However, passengers coming from non-Schengen countries must undergo passport control upon entry into Turkiye. During this procedure, you might be asked brief questions about your journey, and you'll need to show necessary travel documents like your passport and possibly a visa. Additionally, customs checks to inspect for restricted or dutiable items may be conducted based on your origin country.
Food and drinks at the airport
Istanbul Airport offers a variety of dining choices that reflect both local and international cuisines. Listed below you find some of the popular dining options available.
Arby’s: There are several Arby’s at the airport, and here you can enjoy for example salads, wraps and sandwiches.
HD Döner: Eat traditional döner and classic Turkish flavor at this popular food chain.
Simit Sarayı: Located in Concourse B, Simit Sarayı is famous for Turkish simit and tea.
Lounges
If you want to relax a little before your flight, there are a number of different lounges found at the airport. One of the options is Turkish Airlines Business Lounge which is accessible to business class passengers and elite frequent flyers, located near Gate E1. Another lounge is the IGA Lounge, which is open to all passengers for a fee. The lounge offers comfortable seating, refreshments and other amenities.
Find a hotel in the area
There are several hotels connected to and around Istanbul Airport – learn more about a few of them below.
YOTEL Istanbul Airport (Landside and Airside): Provides modular rooms on both sides of airport security.
Menalo Hotel Premium Istanbul Airport: A short drive away, offering upscale accommodations and shuttle services.
Atar Airport Hotel: This three star hotel offers comfortable rooms and airport transportation.
See more hotels surrounding Istanbul Airport
Transportation options
Getting to and from Istanbul Airport is facilitated by a range of transportation methods:
Havaist Buses: These buses connect the airport to various points across Istanbul, with fares ranging from 21 to 30 Turkish Lira depending on the destination.
Taxi: Taxis are available around the clock outside the arrivals area, with fares to the city center typically costing between 150 to 200 Turkish Lira.
Ride-sharing: Services like Uber and BiTaksi offer convenient ride-share options from the airport. These apps allow you to book rides directly from your smartphone, often at prices competitive with traditional taxis. The pick-up points for these services are clearly marked outside the arrival areas.
Istanbul, Turkiye
