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ISTANBUL AIRPORT (IST)
Istanbul Atatürk Airport has only one runway, and eventually the Turkish government decided that it was necessary to construct a new and bigger airport. Istanbul New Airport was the result of that decision, and just months after its opening, all passenger flights were transferred from Istanbul Atatürk Airport to the new airport starting in April 2019. This switch made Istanbul New Airport the primary airport for domestic and international flights to and from Istanbul, leaving Istanbul New Airport to mostly handle cargo.
Istanbul Airport (IST) handled 76,236,980 passengers in 2023 and is the busiest airport in Turkey.
To get to Istanbul downtown via taxi, from Istanbul Airport it takes about 40 min without traffic and will cost about 40 euro.
Istanbul Airport for years used to be known by the International Civil Aviation Organization code of IST, but after Istanbul New Airport opened, the code was transferred to the new facility to use, and Istanbul Atatürk Airport now uses the different code of LTBA.
Istanbul airport features a single terminal that is used for all of the international and domestic flights that it processes, and it provides a total of four runways for aircraft to use. Two of the runways are about 13,450 feet (or 4,100 meters) long by about 197 feet (or 60 meters) wide, and the other two runaways are about 12,300 feet or (3,750 meters) long by about 147 feet (or 45 meters) wide. All four runway surfaces are covered in asphalt.
Istanbul Airport Information
IATA airport code: IST
ICAO airport code: LTFM
Owner: General Directorate of State Airports (DHMİ)
Operator: IGA (Istanbul Grand Airport) Havalimanı İşletmesi A.Ş.
Serves: Istanbul, Turkey
Hub for
- Turkish Airlines
- Turkish Cargo
Location: Arnavutköy, Istanbul
Istanbul Airport Facilities
Banking: Whether you need to use an ATM, another type of cash machine, or exchange some currency, you will find the services that you need within the airport terminal.
Food and Drink: You can currently choose among more than 150 different options for getting something to eat or drink in the airport, ranging from fast food to fine dining and more.
For Children: Parents traveling with infants or children will be pleased to know the airport has extensive services for families, such as child-friendly security processing, the ability to borrow buggies or strollers for free, private rooms for changing diapers, and priority car park spaces.
Fresh Air: Istanbul airport provides a large non-smoking outdoor area where passengers can step outside of the terminal and enjoy some fresh air before while waiting for their flight.
Medical Aid: Health emergencies can happen at airports, and the terminal features a number of first aid stations, mobile health units, pharmacies, and even a PCR testing facility.
Pets: Istanbul New Airport provides an area where your pet or service animal approved for your flight can use the toilet either before your flight takes off or after it has landed.
Shopping
Istanbul New Airport offers a designated Duty Free shopping area, as well as a large range of other stores selling many different items including clothing, books, and more.
Sleeping Options
If you’re eager to sleep before your departure or after your arrival, you can pay €70 for four hours in a YotelAir room, designed for short naps. Or you can pay €6 for one hour inside an IGA Sleepods to get some rest, but you’ll have to pay €2 more for blankets and pillows.
Visiting Istanbul
Istanbul’s cultural diversity is a result of the many empires that once ruled the city. One can find traces of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian cultures intertwined in Istanbul. The city is also known for its vibrant arts scene, delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and lively nightlife. From meyhane restaurants to nightclubs, there are many options to experience the city after dark.
Transportation
Whether you’re visiting Turkey’s largest city of Istanbul for vacation or work, you’ll likely arrive by taking a flight that lands at Istanbul Airport. Once you have landed at the Istanbul airport, gone through passport control and collected your suitcases, you’ll next need to decide how to get to the city center.
Thankfully, Istanbul Airport provides several transportation options for making the journey, and you’ll need assistance because the distance between the terminal and the city is roughly 30 miles (or just under 50 kilometers). You can rent a car, take a taxi or private transfer, get on a bus or ride the subway system known as the Metro, and they all have pros and cons.
For example, taking public transportation like the bus or Metro can be a great way to save money, yet you’ll be sharing the ride with other travelers so baggage space may be limited. But you should be able to find a transportation option that fits within your budget and needs.
Taxi: Transfer to Istanbul city centre within 20 minutes by taxi. From the Istanbul Airport you will definitely want to catch an Istanbul Airport taxi to the City Center. This is a popular and affordable option, although the exact fare will depend on your final destination in the city, because rides are charged based on distance traveled. You won’t to have to share the car with anyone but your traveling companions, and tips are discretionary. A typical ride from the airport to the city will likely take about 40 minutes and cost roughly €20.
Bus: Public transportation takes you to Istanbul within 45 minutes. From the Istanbul airport you can take a bus operated by own of two companies, although the journey will be longer than in a taxi or a rental car, and you might be dropped off very far from your hotel, and space for luggage could be limited. But this is among the most affordable of the transportation options, with prices ranging from just under €1 to about €4.50.
Car Hire: The best option to explore Istanbul and its region is by hiring a car at Istanbul Airport. One of the more expensive options, you’ll pay for the entire time you rent a car, but you will have complete privacy and independence about where and when you travel. Plus, you’ve had the additional peace of mind of knowing your luggage is safe in the trunk. The exact cost of this method of transport will depend on the car you choose and how long you rent it.
Istanbul Airport Metro: Another affordable option for getting from Istanbul Airport to the city is taking the Istanbul Airport Metro subway system. It will take roughly 25 minutes to make the journey to the final stop of Istanbul municipality of Kağıthane, with other station stops along the way. You’ll have to spend just under €3 on a reloadable Metro card and it will cost €0.50 to get from the airport to the last stop.
Lost and Found
As with most major airports, the terminal includes lost and found facilities in the event that you cannot find your checked baggage after your flight lands, or if you misplace a personal item while within the facility. Items lost on airplanes should be reported to the airline.
Contact
- Phone: +90 4441442
- web: istairport.com
- Adrress: Tayakadın, Terminal Cad No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
To Pre-book your Istanbul Airport Taxi please click here