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.

• Train

  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.

• Bus

  Havaist airport buses

  Scheduled coaches to Taksim, Sultanahmet and other districts.

  Time:

  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.

• Ride-hailing

  Ride-hailing

  App-based services operate but often dispatch licensed taxis.

• Car rental

  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

Local emergency number: 112

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

• Check your passport validity and any visa, ETA or entry declaration required.
• Confirm your departure terminal on your boarding pass the day before.
• Activate a travel eSIM so you are online the moment you land.
• Download offline maps and screenshot your hotel address and booking reference.
• Tell your bank you are travelling and carry a backup payment card.
• Save the local emergency number and your embassy contact in your phone.
• Photograph your passport and store the copy somewhere you can reach offline.
• Check baggage allowance and any restricted items for your destination.

Airport operations change. Always confirm terminals, fares and timetables with the official sources below before you travel.

• Istanbul Airport official siteOfficial airport source
• Republic of Türkiye electronic visa portalGovernment source
• Metro IstanbulOfficial transit source
• Havaist airport shuttleOfficial transit source
• Istanbul public transport and safety informationGovernment source
• Go TürkiyeGovernment source