Istanbul Airport
See Istanbul Atatürk Airport for the former primary airport of Istanbul.
Istanbul Airport, also known as Istanbul New Airport, (IST IATA) is the primary of two passenger airports serving the city of Istanbul, (the other being Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side). Approximately 22 miles (35 km) miles north of Istanbul on the European side of the city, it started serving a limited number of destinations on October 29, 2018, and became fully operational on April 7, 2019.
Understand
Overcrowding at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, one of the busiest in Europe, was compounded by the fact that there was no room for expansion there due to the urban buildup around the airport. Thus, a new airport started construction as one of several Turkish megaprojects in the 2010s.
There were many delays to opening, and flights were transferred to the airport in stages. During November 2018, a limited number of Turkish Airlines flights to Ankara, Antalya, Izmir, Baku in Azerbaijan, and Ercan in Northern Cyprus began operating from Istanbul Airport. In early 2019, some short-haul Turkish Airlines services to several European cities and Kuwait were added. Finally, on April 7 2019, all flights were transferred.
There are two websites for the airport:
- One about the construction of the airport, and
- the other for travellers, and for passenger information.
Visa
Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter Turkey, which can can be obtained online. Check if this applies to you, and apply in advance. Do not rely upon any other website, including Wikivoyage, as the rules may change suddenly as the security situation in Turkey evolves. In general, EU Schengen passport holders need no visa to enter Turkey. North American and UK residents need a visa costing US$ 20 (valid for 90 days), residents of China pay US $60 (valid for 30 days), and visa price and duration varies for other nations. Some travellers are not eligible for an e-visa and must apply for a conventional visa via their local Turkish Embassy.
Apply at the same time as you book your trip - your 90 (or other) day visa validity will start from your stated arrival day in Turkey. Print it out and keep it with you, as well as a soft copy on your phone. It will be checked when flying, and could be demanded at an internal police check, such as those on highways between cities.
Flights
Just about every major city in Europe (including European Russia) has a direct flight to and from IST, and there are extensive connections across the Middle East, with destinations to the Far East, Africa and North America also served. Many of these are operated by the national carrier Turkish Airlines, either itself or via code-share agreements.
There is one terminal with 5 concourses (A, B, D, F and G). Due to the long distances between concourses and possible security checks the minimum connection time (MCT) is 60 minutes. Each concourse extends out from the central area where the check-in counters, security checkpoints and baggage claim are situated. The C and E gates connect directly to the main terminal and are therefore not considered independent concourses.
Domestic flights
All major cities in Turkey, and quite a few medium-sized towns, have at least a daily flight to IST, and those from Ankara fly hourly. Concourse G (in the southeast) is reserved solely for domestic flights, although 3 passenger boarding bridges of Concourse F (which is directly to the north of Concourse G) have also been allocated for domestic flights.
For domestic flights use entrance doors No. 1 and 2 at departures level. Domestic check-in procedures can be completed at aisle D check-in counters, or alternatively at the self check-in kiosks at aisle E.
Upon completing procedures, all passengers need to pass through the security check opposite aisle D. Priority lanes and direct access to the Turkish Airlines Domestic Lounge is available to those with the appropriate ticket or status.
International flights
Turkish Airlines international economy class passengers can enter check-in areas using the entrance doors No. 3 and 4 at departures level. Check-in procedures can be completed at aisles F, G, H and J.
International business class and Star Alliance Gold card passengers should use entrance door No. 5
Special check-in counters are available in the following aisles:
- Aisle E for self check-in kiosks
- Aisle G for passengers with disabilities and those travelling in large groups
- Aisle H for family check-in counters and for unaccompanied minors
- Aisle K for flights subject to special security (US, UK and Canada)
- Aisle L for Turkish Airlines business class and Star Alliance Gold card passengers
- Aisles A to C and M to S for all other carriers (non Turkish Airlines flights)
Upon completing check-in, to reach the gates all passengers need to pass through the security check opposite aisles G, H, J and K.
Ground transportation
At the moment the only direct way to access the airport is by car or bus with journey times from Central Istanbul averaging about 60 minutes. It will eventually be linked by several lines of the Istanbul Metro, with one starting from Gayrettepe station on the new M11 line and another from Halkalı on the Marmaray rail line.
By bus
All buses depart from -2 level which is one floor below the arrivals level. Fare payment is by IstanbulKart (Istanbul's public transport smart card) only. These are available for both purchase and top-up (in case you already own one) at the airport from either the automated machines (cash only) or the Havaist ticket counters (cash and credit cards accepted). 24 bus routes operate from the airport almost around the clock. These are divided between three operators.
- Istanbul Seyahat offers scheduled intercity coach services between Istanbul airport – Çorlu – Tekirdağ. 10 departures per day (06:30-01:30) with a frequency of 120 minutes. One-way fare with reserved seating: 50 TL (April 2019) which can be purchased online in advance.
- Havaist - Comprised of a fleet of 150 forty-six seat luxury coaches with plenty of space for luggage, seat-back screens, onboard WiFi and at-seat USB power sockets. They operate 20 routes covering 65 stops with frequencies varying from 15-40 minutes. The most useful routes for tourists are IST-1S and IST-19 to Sultanahmet and Taksim respectively. (Some older literature may still show the Sultanahmet route with its provisional designation of IST-20 and the IST-9 Hacıosman – Istanbul Airport route has been combined into IST-13)
| Route | Stops | Journey Time (mins) | Fare (TL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IST-1 YENİKAPI – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Yenikapı ido – Yenikapı Marmaray – Aksaray – Ulubatlı – Istanbul Airport | 110 | 18 |
| IST-1S SULTANAHMET – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Çatladıkapı – Sultanahmet – Eminönü Transit – Piyalepaşa – Nurtepe Viyadük -Istanbul Airport | 100 | 18 |
| IST-2 TÜYAP – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Tüyap – Cumhuriyet Mahallesi – Beylikdüzü – Haramidere – Istanbul Airport | 100 | 21 |
| IST-3 OTOGAR – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Esenler Otogar – (Otogar Yolu) – Istanbul Airport | 75 | 16 |
| IST-4 BAKIRKÖY – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Bakırköy ido iskelesi – Ataköy 4. Kısım – Şirinevler – Kuleli – Istanbul Airport | 80 | 18 |
| IST-5 BEŞİKTAŞ – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Beşiktaş iskele – Zincirlikuyu Metrobüs – 4. Levent – (Seyrantepe Yolu) – Istanbul Airport | 90 | 18 |
| IST-6 ALİBEYKÖY CEP OTOGARI – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Alibeyköy Cep Otogarı – Istanbul Airport | 45 | 16 |
| IST-7 KADIKÖY – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Kadıköy – Uzunçayır Metrobüs – Göztepe Köprüsü – Kozyatağı Metro – Kavacık Köprüsü – Istanbul Airport | 110 | 25 |
| IST-8 PENDİK – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Pendik ido iskelesi – Pendik YHT istasyonu – Tavşantepe Metro – Sabiha Gökçen Airport – Istanbul Airport | 100 | 30 |
| IST-10 SANCAKTEPE – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Özyeğin Üniversitesi – Yenidoğan Üst Geçit – Madenler – Tepe Üstü – Kavacık Köprüsü – Istanbul Airport | 120 | 25 |
| IST-11 ARNAVUTKÖY – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Arnavutköy Peronlar – Arnavutköy Belediye – Taşoluk Peronlar – Istanbul Airport | 35 | 12 |
| IST-12 KEMERBURGAZ – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | (Bahçeköy Caddesi) – Kemerburgaz – Kemerburgaz Evleri – Istanbul Airport | 30 | 12 |
| IST-13 SARIYER / HACIOSMAN – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Sarıyer – Hacıosman – Maslak – (I.T.U. Rektörlüğü) – Istanbul Airport | 75 | 16 |
| IST-14 BAŞAKŞEHİR – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Başakşehir Metrokent – Istanbul Airport | 40 | 14 |
| IST-15 BAHÇEŞEHİR – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Bahçeşehir Merkez – Merkez Kayaşehir – Istanbul Airport | 100 | 16 |
| IST-16 MAHMUTBEY METRO – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Mahmutbey Metro – 15 Temmuz Mahallesi – Istanbul Airport | 75 | 15 |
| IST-17 AVCILAR/HALKALI – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Avcılar Kampüsü – Halkalı istasyon – Atatürk Mahallesi – Demirciler Sitesi – Istanbul Airport | 100 | 16 |
| IST-18 MECİDİYEKÖY – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Mecidiyeköy Metrobüs – Nurtepe Viyadük – Istanbul Airport | 60 | 16 |
| IST-19 TAKSIM – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Abdülhak Hamit Caddesi – Nurtepe Viyadük – Istanbul Airport | 80 | 18 |
- iETT - These are regular buses with limited luggage space. Slower, but more economical than the Havaist coaches, they operate 4 routes.
| Route | Stops | Journey Time (mins) | Fare (TL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1 MAHMUTBEY METRO – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Mahmutbey Metro – Karacaoğlan iöo. – inönü Caddesi – (Halkalı Caddesi) – Pirireis – 15 Temmuz Mahallesi – Sanayi Mahallesi – ikitelli Köprüsü – Istanbul Airport | 60 | 5.20 |
| H-2 MECIDIYEKOY – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Mecidiyeköy Metrobüs – Çağlayan Yolu – Nurtepe Viyadük – Hasdal – Kemer Yolu – Orman Yolu – Kıyı Emniyeti – Istanbul Airport | 60 | 5.20 |
| H-3 HALKALI – ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Gümrük – Halkalı istasyon – Gültepe Mahallesi, Göl Konutları – Bezirganbahçe Toki – Toki Konutları – istrasyon Mahallesi Muh. – Sakarya Sokak – (Yenidoğan) – (Şehir Münir Alkan) – (M.Akif Ersoy Hastanesi) – Avrupa Konutları 3 – Halkalı Polis Merkezi – Halkalı Park – Koca Ali Sokak – Güneşpark Evleri – Halkalı Yolu – ikitelli Caddesi – Atatürk Mahallesi – ikitelli Garajı – (Tem Yolu) – imsan (Sanayi Sitesi) – (Masko 3) – Masko 2 – Masko 1 – Demirciler Sitesi – Istanbul Airport | 75 | 5.20 |
| H-4 ATATURK AIRPORT - ISTANBUL AIRPORT | Ataturk Airport – Havaalanı Dis Hatlar – Istanbul Airport | 60 | 5.20 |
By taxi
There are three types of taxi at Istanbul Airport, yellow (economy) taxis, turquoise (comfort) taxis and black (premium) taxis. Whichever you decide to use always insist on use of the meter as there are no fixed prices to the city. Many taxis now accept credit cards for payment, however there is a small surcharge which is indicated by an official sticker in the window.
Istanbul Taxis Trade Association (İTEO) have published some guideline fares (April 2019). These do not including highway or bridge tolls.
| European Side | Asian Side | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destination | Distance (km) | Average Fare (TL) | Destination | Distance (km) | Average Fare (TL) | |
| Arnavutkoy | 16.7 | 52.00 | Atasehir | 54.8 | 150.00 | |
| Avcılar | 49.1 | 130.00 | Beykoz | 51.2 | 138.00 | |
| Bagcilar | 34.4 | 98.00 | Çekmeköy | 71.3 | 188.00 | |
| Bahcelievler | 50.4 | 135.00 | Kadikoy | 63.5 | 168.00 | |
| Bakirkoy | 55 | 147.00 | Kartal | 96.9 | 252.00 | |
| Başakşehir | 39.3 | 110.00 | Maltepe | 83 | 217.00 | |
| Bayrampasa | 42.7 | 117.00 | Pendik | 94.6 | 247.00 | |
| Besiktas | 54.3 | 145.00 | Sancaktepe | 73.7 | 195.00 | |
| Beylikdüzü | 60.1 | 154.00 | Sultanbeyli | 73.8 | 195.00 | |
| Beyoğlu | 53.6 | 145.00 | Sile | 105 | 272.00 | |
| Buyukcekmece | 58.4 | 157.00 | Tuzla | 85.7 | 225.00 | |
| Çatalca | 41.7 | 115.00 | Umraniye | 54.3 | 145.00 | |
| Esenler | 34.9 | 97.00 | Uskudar | 58.9 | 160.00 | |
| Esenyurt | 57.7 | 155.00 | ||||
| Eyüp | 19.3 | 60.00 | ||||
| Fatih | 47 | 127.00 | ||||
| Gaziosmanpasa | 43.6 | 120.00 | ||||
| Gungoren | 46.3 | 130.00 | ||||
| Kagithane | 33 | 92.00 | ||||
| Küçükçekmece | 51.1 | 137.00 | ||||
| Sariyer | 41.1 | 112.00 | ||||
| Silivri | 86.9 | 227.00 | ||||
| Sultangazi | 34.7 | 97.00 | ||||
| Sisli | 54.5 | 147.00 | ||||
| Zeytinburnu | 47.9 | 130.00 | ||||
Get around
Since there is only one terminal built so far, with no rail or bus transfer system in place, you will probably have to walk everywhere. It can take quite a while to walk between gates, especially if they are an opposite ends of the huge terminal with its long concourses, so allocate sufficient time for connections. Estimated times to walk from the central terminal area to furthest gates at the end of each concourse (gates A11, B15, D17, F16 and G11) are around 15-20 minutes.
There is also a buggy service at each concourse from the central terminal area priced at 5 EUR
For transfer passengers who are required to re-clear security and whose connection time is less than 60 minutes, there are Short Connection areas in each concourse which avoid the need to traverse the length of the concourse to the central transfer hall. The locations are as follows:
- Concourse A: Mid-concourse, opposite gate A5
- Concourse B: Opposite gate B8
- Concourse D: At the very far end of the concourse, near gate D16
- Concourse F: Opposite gate F8
Wait
Turkish Airlines offers free guided tours of Istanbul's sights to their passengers under a program called Touristanbul. This program includes transport from and to the airport and a traditional Turkish meal.
The conditions are: you need to have a layover of at least six hours and at most 24 hours, between 09:00 and 18:00 and, in addition, both your arriving and departing flights must be international and operated by Turkish Airlines. No prior reservation is needed for these tours, you only need to proceed through customs and immigration and after that to the "hotel desk" in the arrival hall. The airline has more detailed information on their home page. Remember to check if you need a visa to enter Turkey.
Lounges
- Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge (take up escalator near gate E1)
- Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles Lounge (take up escalator near gate C1)
- Turkish Airlines Exclusive Lounge (opening Summer 2019)
- Turkish Airlines Arrival Lounge (close to door 14, arrivals level. Opening Summer 2019)
- Turkish Airlines Domestic Lounge (take elevators opposite gate G6)
- IGA Lounge (pay per use lounge, also used by Oneworld carriers)
- Skyteam Lounge
- Emirates Lounge
Eat and drink
Buy
Connect
- WiFi: Up to 2 hours of free Wi-Fi internet service is provided. Users must register with their mobile phone number and receive a code via SMS to activate.
Cope
Sleep
- Yotel (YotelAir), Yotelair Istanbul Airport (Airside)
Tayakadın Mahallesi Terminal Caddesi No:1 Arnavutköy, 34283, İstanbul (Landside: Opposite Door 7, Departures Level. Airside: In the Duty Free Area after passport control and security.), ☎ +90 212 942 6666, e-mail: istanbul.reservation@yotel.com. The only on-site hotel at Istanbul Airport. It has 451 rooms (174 rooms airside and 277 rooms landside). Landside: Not yet open. Airside: From €70 for 4 hours..
Nearby
The airport is so far from anywhere (one of the main criticisms for the planned future closing of Atatürk Airport) that there is nowhere in particular worth seeking out nearby.
Provided that you have your papers in order and can arrange transportation, though, relatively closeby places in the lush countryside of Istanbul's north include Kemerburgaz and the Belgrade Forest, with many Ottoman era aqueducts which blend perfectly with their jungle-like surroundings to the east of the airport, and peaceful Lake Terkos, extensive undeveloped beaches on the Black Sea and mysterious Byzantine ruins scattered in the forests to the west.