Istanbul Airport (IST)

Arrivals clear passport control, then baggage, then customs.

• Check visa requirements for your nationality in advance; Türkiye uses an e-Visa system for many nationalities.
• Follow signage carefully — the terminal's scale makes wrong turns costly.
• Official taxi and transport desks are in the arrivals area; ignore anyone touting rides.

• Treno

  Metro (M11)

  Metro line connecting the airport towards the city, with onward interchanges.

  Check current operating hours and interchange points before relying on it late at night.

• Autobus

  Havaist airport buses

  Scheduled coaches to Taksim, Sultanahmet and other districts.

  Tempo:

  Typically an hour or more depending on traffic

• Taxi

  Official taxis

  Metered yellow taxis from the official rank.

  Insist on the meter; the airport is far from the historic centre, so the fare is substantial.

• Servizi di ride-hailing

  Ride-hailing

  App-based services operate but often dispatch licensed taxis.

• Noleggio auto

  Rental cars

  Rental desks in arrivals; Istanbul traffic and parking are challenging.

Transfers stay airside and are well signposted, but distances are long.

• Transfer security screening applies.
• Transfer desks can help with rebooking after delays.
• Connections between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen involve crossing the city — allow several hours.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the passenger terminals.

• Connect to the airport's public network and follow the sign-in page.
• Treat public airport Wi-Fi as untrusted — avoid banking and account logins.
• An eSIM activated before you fly means you are online the moment you land, without hunting for a network.

Türkiye uses the lira; cards are widely accepted in Istanbul.

• ATMs are available throughout the terminal.
• Airport exchange rates are typically poor — change only what you need there.
• Decline dynamic currency conversion and pay in lira.

Extensive dining airside, including 24-hour options.

• Landside choice is more limited.

Turkish Airlines and pay-per-use lounges operate airside.

• Confirm access with your airline or lounge programme.

A hotel operates at the airport, plus several nearby with shuttles.

• Useful given the distance to the city centre.

Left-luggage services operate in the terminal.

• Report delayed baggage before leaving the baggage hall.

Nursing rooms and children's play areas are provided.

• Request accessibility assistance through your airline in advance.

• Charging points
• Prayer rooms
• Pharmacy
• Medical centre
• Luggage storage
• SIM / mobile shops

Numero di emergenza locale: 112

• A medical centre operates at the airport.
• Report a lost passport to police and contact your embassy or consulate in Türkiye.

• Controlla la validità del passaporto e qualsiasi visto, ETA o dichiarazione di ingresso richiesta.
• Conferma il terminal di partenza sulla tua carta d'imbarco il giorno prima.
• Attiva una eSIM da viaggio per essere online appena atterri.
• Scarica mappe offline e fai uno screenshot dell'indirizzo del tuo hotel e del riferimento della prenotazione.
• Comunica alla tua banca che sei in viaggio e porta con te una carta di pagamento di riserva.
• Salva il numero di emergenza locale e il contatto della tua ambasciata nel telefono.
• Fotografa il passaporto e memorizza la copia in un luogo accessibile offline.
• Controlla la franchigia bagaglio e gli articoli soggetti a restrizioni per la tua destinazione.

Le operazioni aeroportuali cambiano. Conferma sempre terminal, tariffe e orari con le fonti ufficiali qui sotto prima di viaggiare.

• Istanbul Airport official siteFonte ufficiale dell'aeroporto
• Republic of Türkiye electronic visa portalFonte governativa
• Metro IstanbulFonte ufficiale dei trasporti
• Havaist airport shuttleFonte ufficiale dei trasporti
• Istanbul public transport and safety informationFonte governativa
• Go TürkiyeFonte governativa