Stopover in Istanbul airport: all you need to know

Everything you need to know about the new Istanbul airport and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The logical stopover between Europe and Asia, and one of the most used to connect to Africa. It will also come in handy if you’re flying from Latin America.

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New Istanbul Airport (IST)

Among the stopover airports, whether you are traveling to Asia or Africa, a stopover at Istanbul airport has something poetic about it. The city between two continents has one of the airports with the most destinations in the world and although the facilities are fully in Europe, at the airport one always has the feeling of being between two worlds.

Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance) has been the best European airline for several years. This has been certified by Skytrax in consecutive years (in 2017, it was unseated by Lufthansa).

The Turkish airline’s hub is the new Istanbul Airport (IST), which has replaced the old Ataturk Airport (ISL). The city also has an airport on the Asian side: Sabiha Gokçen Airport (SAW) used by Turkish Airlines, but mostly by Pegasus Airlines.

Flying with Turkish Airlines is a delight and their planes, without reaching the excellence of the Gulf airlines, have superb performance, a very friendly service and excellent value for money. Today, Turkish Airlines is the airline with the most connections in the world.

Practical information about Turkey

Here are some issues to keep in mind if you are making a stopover in Istanbul. For example, make sure you have a visa on arrival or visa waiver or you will not be able to leave the terminal.

Tourist and transit visas

Turkey offers an electronic visa to most countries for tourism and business. You must apply for it in advance at the Evisa link and print it at home. All information is available in English.

If your country allows e-visa, you can also apply for it upon arrival at the airport. For a short layover, it will waste your time, so I recommend the online method.

Currency

The currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (TRY). Check the exchange rate of the day at xe.com. If you don’t already have a Revolut card to withdraw abroad without commissions and at the interbank exchange rate, it is in your interest to register.

Other useful information

• The airport wifi is a bit congested. To register, you need an international mobile number. You will receive an SMS code. Sometimes numbers in some countries do not receive the text message and the connection cannot be used.
• The plugs in Turkey are type F, i.e. with two round plugs and 230 V current. If you are traveling from Spain you will not need an adapter.

• Eating at the Istanbul airport is not cheap. Among the coffee shops, my favorite is Simit Sarayi which is a Turkish chain with local pastries and Turkish style coffee and tea. You also have a Starbucks with a menu and international prices. Another very curious snack is the Turkish ice cream parlor. If you haven’t seen it, it will never bring a smile to your face.
• Inside the transit area, there are many stores specializing in Turkish products and handicrafts. The duty-free stores offer to taste the famous pistachio candies Turkish Delights. If you like Turkish music or Turkish movies and series, D&R is the place to buy music and audiovisuals at good prices.

How to access the Istanbul airport lounge

One option to rest is the dark lounges of the Istanbul airport lounge. Contrary to what many people think, there are several ways to access airport lounges. Here are a few options:

• Access is available if you are a Classic member of Turkish Airlines or equivalent of the Star Alliance airlines, Gold member of the Flying Blue group of airlines, Silver member of One World. There are several lounges, you must access the one that corresponds to your airline and gives unlimited access to the lounge.
• Frequent flyers can also become members of Priority Pass which is a program of access to airport lounges around the world discounted or free of charge depending on your level of membership. In this case, you will be able to access the lounges indicated in the program.
• Timely access by paying the entrance fee with limited stay time (3 to 4 hours). It can be purchased on site, but there is a discount if you book in advance.
• Through a partnership program of your bank or credit card. It depends on the type of Mastercard, Visa or American Express you have or, in my case, with Revolut’s Premium program. This access has a time limit (usually 3 hours) and a cost of 20 euros.

How to get to and from Istanbul airport

PRIVATE TRANSFER. The best door-to-door transfer in Istanbul. They will be waiting for you at the arrivals of the new Istanbul airport and will take you wherever you need.

You can hire it from any airport in the city: from the new Istanbul airport to the city center, but also from Atatürk airport on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen airport on the Asian side, where Pegasus Airlines flies mainly.

From Istanbul airport to downtown Istanbul by public transport

BUS. Presently, the only means of public transport from Istanbul’s new airport to the city center are the HavaIST lines.

The new airport is further away than Atatürk, but once you leave the city, the traffic is smooth. You can get to Sultanahmet, Beyoglu and many other parts of the city. It takes about 90 minutes to get there, although it usually arrives earlier. The price per way is 30 Turkish Liras.

From Sabiha Gokcen airport there is a direct bus to Taksim in the European city center and another to Kadikoy on the Asian coast. You can check the timetables at HavaBus. The ticket costs between 18 and 14 Turkish Liras respectively.

METRO. The Atatürk Airport line (M1A) today connects to the entire public transport network of Istanbul. From the airport to Aksaray station it takes about 30 minutes. From there you can continue by streetcar to Sultanahmet and Taksim.

At Yenikapi you will find the connection to the M2 lines to Taksim and the suburban line that crosses to the Asian side. Download the Istanbul public transport map.

Stopover in Istanbul

Do you have to stay a few extra hours between flights in Istanbul? Don’t see it as a problem, but as a real gift.

There are few cities with so much legend and such a privileged location. In Istanbul you experience the sea on all four sides, almost as if you were on an island. In a city in love with the Mediterranean, the boat is the natural means of transportation.

If you have a few hours, choose a neighborhood and discover the charms of this city between Europe and Asia.

• Sultanahment. It is the most touristic neighborhood, as it gathers the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia (which has recently been converted into a mosque) and large mosques such as the Blue Mosque or the Suleiman Mosque. You will also find the Grand Bazaar and many charming little markets.

• Beyoglu. The old Greek quarter of Pera is the most modern area of the city. You can go along Istiqlal Avenue by streetcar or on foot and do some shopping. On the hillsides, there are quieter areas with historic houses, where the Museum of Innocence is located.
• Galata Bridge. It is not a neighborhood per se, but it is an area to visit together. On one side of the bridge is the spice market and on the other the famous Galata tower overlooking the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. The fishermen and restaurants on boats are other attractions.
• Fener. The bohemian neighborhood par excellence. Full of small stores, antique stores and restaurants with local flavor. Only for the initiated in Istanbul.

You should know that for transits of 6 hours or more, Turkish Airlines offers a free tour in Istanbul.

Don’t miss it if you haven’t seen this city and want a brief introduction. This sponsored tour includes the activities, English-speaking guide and meals. You must check in at the dedicated desk inside the airport. You will have to cover the cost of your visa.

If you prefer to go at your own pace, or you are staying for a day in Istanbul, you will find essential activities and alternative visits in the article what to do in Istanbul.

Accommodation near Istanbul airport

If you have a long layover at the airport, you might want to take a nap. The hotel in the international transit area is called YOTEL. These hotels are not usually cheap, but you can check the price at the link.

If the visa is not a problem, consider going out into the city and choosing a hotel near the new Istanbul airport, although due to the cost of the visa it may be more expensive.

Alternatively, you can consider the Sultanahmet and Aksaray areas from where you have direct transportation to the new Istanbul airport with the HavaIST bus line. These are three options at different prices:

• Hampton By Hilton Istanbul Old City. It is very well located, right in front of Aksaray, which means lots of transportation options. It is a good hotel backed by an international chain.
• Ramada Plaza Sultanahmet. This hotel also belongs to an international chain, but it is located in the neighborhood of Sultanahmet, inside the neighborhood. It is better if you want to visit the city, but if you are only going to spend one night and want good transportation, I do not recommend it.
• The Charm Hotel – Old City. If you prefer local hotels, I recommend this mid-priced hotel also located in the Aksaray area. The room price includes a good Turkish style breakfast.

Turkey travel guide: all you need to know for traveling in 2024

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. This post contains some affiliate links.

These links allow you to follow my recommendations and book them, and provide a little commission. Thus, you help keep this travel blog ad-free at no extra cost to you.