Istanbul Airport [IST]: Ultimate Terminal Guide

Quick Information

Airport: Istanbul Airport (IST)
Terminals: 1 main terminal with 5 concourses
Airport Address: Tayakadın, Terminal Caddesi No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Türkiye
Distance From Istanbul City Center: Approximately 24 miles (38 kilometers)
Website: istairport.com
Phone Number: +90 444 1 442
Number of Daily Departures: Over 1,300
Destinations Served: 277 international and 45 domestic
Flight Information: View departures and arrival information at IST

Istanbul Airport (IST) opened in 2018, replacing Atatürk Airport as the city’s main international hub. Built to support long-term growth, it already serves over 84 million passengers annually, with capacity expected to increase significantly in future phases. With its location between Europe and Asia, IST has quickly become a major global hub for travel across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.

IST Terminal Map

Airlines Operating From IST

IST Airport Terminal

IST features a large, modern terminal with a single main building, making navigation pretty intuitive. The terminal is divided into clearly signed zones and levels for departures, arrivals, and transfers, with 5 departure concourses branching from a central hub.

There are no trains or buses between concourses, but moving walkways help passengers reach their gates. Walking times between gates can be 20 to 30 minutes, so allowing ample time for connections at IST is crucial.

The single-terminal layout means that all terminal facilities, ground transportation, and parking are centralized around the main building, and transfers are straightforward once inside the secure area.

Departure Floor: Check-in

Departures is on the upper level, with curbside drop-off outside the terminal via the split-level roadway that runs in front of departures and arrivals. Before arriving at the check-in area, all visitors must go through security control on entering the terminal. After checking in, there’s a standard departure security screening to enter the secure airside area.

The check-in desks are spread across zones B to S, with clear signs to help you locate your airline.

Once checked in, passengers can proceed to either the international security checkpoint in the center of the terminal or the domestic security checkpoint at the east end of the building.

Departure Floor: Concessions and C and E Gates

The security checkpoints lead to 2 separate sections on the departures floor: 1 for international travelers and 1 for domestic travelers. International travelers have access to a wide selection of shops and restaurants in the airport’s vast concessions hall. Domestic travelers have access to a smaller selection in the domestic departures area.

North of the shopping area are the C and E gates, which operate international flights.

Upper Floor

The upper floor of the main terminal is dedicated to passenger amenities, including the Turkish Airlines lounges, a selection of restaurants, the Istanbul Airport Museum, and the iGA Pass Lounge. These areas are not linked together and require taking the appropriate escalator or elevator from the departure floor for access.

Concourse A

Concourse A is on the southwest side of the terminal, accessible from the concessions area through the west entrance. 29 departure gates numbered A1A, A1B, A1C, A1D, A1E, A1F, A1G, A1H, A1J, A1K, A2A, A2B, A3A, A3B, A4A, A4B, A4C, A4D, A4E, A4F, A5A, A5B, A6A, A6B, A7A, A7B, A8A, A8B, and A10A serve international flights for a selection of carriers. There’s a small selection of shops and restaurants, an Xpres Spa, and an IGA Pop-Up Lounge.

Concourse B

Passengers can access Concourse B through the same west entrance as Concourse A. The concourse has 27 gates numbered B1A, B1B, B2, B3A, B3B, B4, B5A, B5B, B6A, B6B, B7A, B7B, B8A, B8B, B9A, B9B, B10A, B10B, B12A, B12B, B13, B14, B15, B16, B17, B18A, and B18B.

Concourse D

Concourse D sits at the north end of the terminal on the lower level and is reached by escalators from the main concessions area. It serves international flights across 17 gates and offers a small selection of shops, dining options, and a prayer room.

Concourse F

Concourse F is on the northeast side of the airport, accessible via the escalators on the east side of the transfer level. Its 26 gates are numbered F1A, F1B, F2, F3A, F3B, F4A, F4B, F5A, F5B, F6A, F6B, F7A, F7B, F8A, F8B, F9A, F9B, F12A, F12B, F13A, F13B, and F14 to F19, serving international flights.

Concourse G

Concourse G is the domestic concourse serving flights from 35 gates numbered G1A, G1B, G1C, G2A, G2B, G1D, G1E, G1F, G1G, G1H, G3A, G3B, G3C, G3D, G3E, G3F, G3G, G3H, G3J, G4A, G4B, G5A, GHB, G6A, G6B, G7B, G8A, G8B, G9A, G9B, G10A, G10B, G11A, and G11B.

The concourse is on the southeast side of the terminal after the domestic security checkpoint. There’s a Turkish Airlines Lounge on the lower level of the concourse.

Transfer Floor

The transfer level is the airside connections area located between arrivals and departures, designed for passengers connecting onward without entering Türkiye. On this level, there are restrooms, seating areas, and easy access back up to the departure concourses.

Arrival Floor

After clearing passport control on the transfer level, passengers then proceed down to the arrivals floor to collect their luggage. Outside the secure area, there are some shops, restaurants, and car rental counters.

Outside the terminal, 1 floor down from the arrivals level is the public transport area.

Interterminal Transport

Walking

Istanbul Airport doesn’t have an internal train or shuttle to move passengers between concourses. All concourses are connected on foot within the single terminal building. To help manage the long distances, IST has a wide range of moving walkways along the main corridors. While walking times can be lengthy (up to 30 minutes between the farthest gates), the layout is straightforward and clearly signed.

Security and Customs at IST

All visitors to IST must pass through a security checkpoint upon entering the airport. Passengers will then go through at least 1 more security checkpoint after checking in. International passengers will proceed through the large checkpoint in the center of the terminal, and domestic passengers through the checkpoint on the east side of the building.

IST’s security checkpoints are open 24/7.

iGA Fast Track Service

iGA Fast Track offers priority access through security and passport control, helping eligible passengers bypass long lines. It is available for purchase or via select tickets and memberships, saving time during busy travel periods and peak seasons.

iGA Fast Track costs €25 ($30) for international travel and ₺416.67 ($10) for domestic travel, and is accepted at the following locations:

• Domestic security checkpoint
• International security checkpoint gates 1 and 3
• C1 and E1 passport control points
• E2 passport control point (for International to domestic transfer passengers)

Hot Tip:

iGA Fast Track is offered free of charge for travelers aged 65 and above.

IST Airport Lounges

Lounges at Istanbul Airport are modern and spacious, dominated by vast Turkish Airlines Lounges for business class and Star Alliance elite members. Paid lounge access (for all passengers) is available at the iGA lounges.

* Hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times due to capacity.
** Day pass for any passenger. Lounges marked “N/A” only allow entry for eligible passengers in their premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.

Hot Tip:

Want lounge access but don’t want to pay the entry fee? Check out this article on the best credit cards for lounge access.

Priority Pass Access

At Istanbul Airport, Priority Pass is accepted at the following lounges:

• iGA Lounge
• iGA Domestic Lounge
• iGa Pop-Up Lounge

Turkish Airlines lounges do not accept Priority Pass memberships and are reserved for business class passengers and eligible Star Alliance elite members.

Hot Tip:

Explore membership in our Priority Pass article and see the best credit cards for getting Priority Pass access.

Airport Dining and Drinks at IST

Istanbul Airport has a 366,000-square-foot area dedicated to food and beverage, with options ranging from fast food to full-service restaurants. Travelers will find Turkish specialties, international chains, and grab-and-go outlets spread throughout the terminal, both before and after security.

Check out the full list on the airport’s website.

IST Airport Wi-Fi and Charging Stations

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal at IST. Passengers can connect by registering their phone number and inputting the code sent to their device. Alternatively, passengers can scan their passports at one of the Wi-Fi kiosks to retrieve an access code for browsing.

Charging points are available:

• At the entrance of Concourse D
• In baggage claim
• In the check-in area
• Near gates C1, E3, E4, and G4A

Hot Tip:

Not all airports offer convenient charging stations. This guide to the best portable charging banks can help ensure you stay powered up and avoid getting stuck with a dead battery while traveling.

IST Airport Lost and Found

Lost and found at Istanbul Airport is handled by the airport authority and individual airlines. Items lost in public terminal areas can be reported to the airport’s lost property office, while belongings left onboard or at gates should be reported directly to the airline.

Airport Information

Information desks are available on the departures floor, opposite entrances 2 and 5.

Children’s Play Areas

Children’s play areas designed with a variety of themes can be found in these locations:

• Departures airside, near the escalators leading down to Concourse D
• Departures landside, near the 5 to 6 ticket sale offices
• Departures landside, near the N check-in counter
• Departures landside, near the C to D check-in counter
• Gate A5
• Gate A6
• Gate B4
• Gate D2
• Gate F9
• Gate G2

Baby Facilities

Baby care rooms with changing and feeding facilities are available at:

• Departures airside, near the escalators leading down to Concourse D
• Gate A6
• Gate B4
• Gate D2
• Gate F5
• Gate G5
• Near check-in island B

Pet Relief Areas

There are pet relief areas in every terminal. These can be found at:

• Arrivals area
• Departures airside, near the escalators leading down to Concourse D
• Departures landside, opposite check-in island E
• Gate G1B
• Upper floor, near the Istanbul Airport Museum

Smoking Areas

Istanbul Airport has 17 smoking areas across the airport (with 13 inside the secure area):

• East end of the arrivals area
• Opposite baggage carousels 1 and 25
• Domestic flights food court
• International departures, at the east end food court
• Near gates A11, B1, B18, C1, D16, F8, F13, and G11
• Next to check-in area A
• Next to check-in area S
• Next to the transfer desks

Prayer

IST has 3 multifaith prayer rooms:

• Arrivals level of Concourse F
• International departures, down the corridor near Montblanc
• Near gate F9

The airport also has 44 masjids at the airport, with 22 designated for women and 22 for men.

Money

ATMs and currency exchange are available in most areas of the airport.

Luggage Storage

IST has both a luggage storage office and lockers for smaller items.

• Luggage storage prices for 24 hours:
  • Small bag: ₺210 ($5)
  • Medium bag (cabin-sized): ₺270 ($6)
  • Large bag (hold luggage): ₺550 ($13)
  • XL-sized item (TV, sports equipment, etc.): ₺690 ($16)
  • XXL-sized bag: ₺860 ($20)
• Locker storage prices:
  • Small: ₺210 ($5)
  • Medium: ₺270 ($6)
  • Large: ₺550 ($13)
  • XL: ₺690 ($16)

Important IST Phone Numbers

Customer service: +90 444 1442

Travel to and From IST

Transportation From IST

Public transportation to and from Istanbul Airport is frequent and accessible, with options via bus, train, or taxi.

Bus

• Havaist buses provide direct transportation between Istanbul Airport and major districts across Istanbul. They run frequent, scheduled services to key areas such as Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy, and Beşiktaş.
• IETT buses are Istanbul’s standard city buses, offering the cheapest way to get to and from the airport. Routes include Mahmutbey Metro, Mecidiyeköy, Halkalı Marmaray, Yunus Emre Mah, and Hacıosman Metro Station.
• Istanbul Seyahat provides intercity transportation from Istanbul Airport to Bursa, Tekirdağ, Edirne, Kocaeli, and Sakarya.

Buses depart from the transportation floor (-2) and drop off on the departure level.

Train

The Istanbul Metro operates between the airport and Gayrettepe via the M11 line. From there, travelers can connect to the wider metro network, including the M2 line. The airport station is beyond the parking garages outside the terminal, and is connected by a pedestrian route with moving walkways.

Taxi

Passengers can grab a taxi from the main taxi stands located outside the domestic and international passenger exit doors in the Plaza area outside arrivals. Taxis are available on the departures level. Orange taxis are the most affordable option, turquoise taxis cost slightly more, and black luxury taxis are the most expensive.

From Istanbul Airport to the city center, taxi fares are approximately:

• €25 to €35 ($30 to $42) to central areas such as Taksim or Sultanahmet
• €35 to €50 ($42 to $60) to the Asian side, including Kadıköy

Hot Tip:

Uber drivers are not permitted to pick up passengers from the arrivals area. If you order an Uber at the airport, drivers may ask you to walk a long distance to an accessible pickup point.

Car Rental at IST

Car rental companies are located landside in the domestic arrivals area and operate 24/7:

Hot Tip:

Find out which credit cards include car rental insurance so you can skip costly coverage offered by rental car providers.

IST Airport Hotels by Distance From IST

Hot Tip:

If you’re looking to stay in Istanbul near lively Taksim Square, check out our review of the Grand Hyatt Istanbul.

Top 3 Stays With Hotel Loyalty Programs

Hampton by Hilton Istanbul Arnavutkoy is a modern, comfortable hotel near Istanbul Airport, ideal for short stays and early departures. Room rates include a complimentary buffet breakfast, and guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and parking, as well as access to a fitness center. It’s worth noting that there’s no airport shuttle, so you’ll need to arrange it independently. Hilton Honors members can book a free night stay here from 35,000 points.

If you’re looking for comfortable, reliable accommodation close to the airport, then the Holiday Inn Express Istanbul Airport Arnavutköy might be the hotel for you. It offers on-site parking, free breakfast, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant. IHG One Rewards members can book a reward stay from 15,000 points.

Ibis Istanbul Airport is a budget-friendly hotel near IST, ideal for short stays and overnight layovers. It offers compact, modern rooms, a 24-hour reception, on-site dining, and reliable Wi-Fi, providing travelers with comfort and value. It’s a 10-minute drive from Istanbul Airport and is close to some of the city’s most popular attractions. ALL – Accor Live Limitless loyalty members receive reduced rates.

Final Thoughts

Istanbul Airport (IST) is Istanbul’s main international airport and is larger than the city’s other international airport, Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Despite being one of the largest airports in the world, it centers on 1 main terminal, eliminating the need to travel between separate terminals. With strong transport links, excellent dining and lounge options, and round-the-clock operations, it functions well as both a destination airport and a major transfer hub.