The Benefits of Flying into Istanbul’s New Airport (IST)
- Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, has more than 15 million residents.
- Istanbul Atatürk Airport, formerly one of the world’s busiest airports, has been closed to new arrivals since the beginning of the year.
- Although Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport officially closed its doors in April 2019, the city is not without a working airport.
- Mega-Istanbul Airport, a new facility built by the Turkish government and costing an estimated $12 million to build, hosted its first flight in October 2019.
- Travelers arriving in Turkey or passing through the country will be able to take advantage of a variety of high-end amenities at Istanbul’s brand new (IST) airport, which was built in response to Turkish Airlines’ rapid expansion.
- Most foreign nationals must first obtain a Turkey eVisa before departing their home country in order to travel to Turkey and arrive at Istanbul Airport.
- Eligible citizens can apply for a 90-day tourist, business or transit visa to Turkey online and receive an approved visa within a few hours.
IS THE AIRPORT IN ISTANBUL THE LARGEST ON EARTH?
- An estimated 76 million square meters make Istanbul Turkey’s main airport, making it the world’s largest by area.
- It can currently accommodate 90 million passengers a year.
- There are still some parts of the airport under construction, but it is anticipated that when it is finished, it will be able to handle around 200 million passengers per year.
- With this new capacity, it will overtake Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which currently serves 107 million passengers annually, as the world’s busiest airport.
- Two more runways are expected to be completed by 2028, which means that three runways are currently operational and two more are expected to be completed by then.
- Once Istanbul airport is fully operational, it will serve more than 100 airlines and more than 300 destinations around the world.
- First phase of construction, which includes approximately 15 million square feet of terminal space, was completed in Istanbul airport’s current map.
- There is also a large duty-free shopping complex (about 180,000 square meters) themed after Turkey’s famous waterway, the Bosphorus.
- There are seven themed sections in the massive duty-free area, including a ‘Family Place’ and a ‘Fashion Garden’, all of which sell related brands.
- Additionally, a 451-room boutique hotel with both landside and airside access has been completed, as well as an elegant air traffic control tower in the shape of the Turkish national flower, the tulip.
- As a result of the extensive network of security cameras and the strict security checks in place both at the airport’s main entrance and behind the arrival/departure gates, Istanbul’s airport is regarded as one of the safest in the world.
Do I have the ability to leave Istanbul International Airport while in transit?
- While passing through Istanbul Airport on their way to another destination, passengers have access to all of the airport’s high-end amenities, including the expansive Duty-Free Mall.
- In order to leave the airport and visit Istanbul during a transit stay, travelers will need a Turkey transit visa before departing from their home country.
- An eVisa can be used to obtain a transit visa in Turkey for those who meet the requirements.
- Turkish online visa applications must be submitted at least 48 hours before departure to allow for sufficient time for the transit visa to be issued, as the process can take up to 24 hours.
- Online visas are electronically linked to the traveler’s passport, but applicants must print a paper copy of the visa to present at Istanbul airport border control to ensure entry into Turkey and to allow the traveler access to Turkey’s largest city during their stay.
from Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport
- From the airport, travelers can choose from a variety of modes of transportation, including taxis and buses.
- For those who prefer to travel by bus rather than by plane, there are several public “H” class bus services that operate daily from the Istanbul airport to various districts of Istanbul between the hours of 6 am and 1 am. Take the bus because it’s incredibly cheap (between 1-4 USD) and there’s usually plenty of room for your luggage to be kept safe.
- From the airport, you can rent a car from any of the numerous Car Rental companies located in the arrivals hall.
- At all times, taxis are readily available outside Istanbul International Airport.
- Eventually, a new metro line will link Istanbul’s airport directly to the city, though it is still under construction.
