Jazmin Li
US citizens with a long layover at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport may be able to leave the airport and explore the city. However, it is important to note that some nationalities require a visa to enter Turkey, and it is recommended to consult the appropriate resources to determine the required documentation based on your nationality. Turkish Airlines may provide free guided tours or accommodation for qualifying layovers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the airport during a long connection | Possible, but a visa is required |
| Visa application | Can be done at kiosks in the airport or online |
| Visa fee | 43 USD per person |
| Visa processing time | 30 minutes |
| Visa validity | 30 days |
| Airlines that allow leaving the airport | Turkish Airlines |
| Airline perks | Free hotel or free guided tours |
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements for US citizens
US citizens can leave Ataturk Airport during long connections. However, they will need to obtain an e-visa to enter Turkey. The visa fee is 43 US dollars per person, and it is valid for up to 30 days. US citizens can also qualify for a free hotel or a free guided tour of the city during their layover if both their flights are with Turkish Airlines.
US citizens should be aware of certain laws and customs requirements when visiting Turkey. For example, it is illegal to insult Turkey, the Turkish flag, the President or government, and the country's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It is also illegal to photograph military sites. US citizens should also be cautious when participating in public gatherings as they may become violent and unpredictable. It is recommended that US citizens avoid demonstrations and follow the instructions of local authorities.
In terms of health and safety, US citizens should be up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations and check the NASA Air Quality Forecast for information about air pollution in Turkey. Airports and metro stations are typically accessible for disabled individuals, but other forms of public transportation may not be. The Turkish constitution prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities, but access to buildings and public transportation in most cities is limited.
Additionally, US citizens should be aware of the following cultural considerations: Turkey has conservative dress and behaviour standards, so it is important to dress modestly, especially at mosques and shrines. It is also important to respect religious and social traditions and avoid public displays of affection. While in Turkey, it is illegal to buy or possess counterfeit goods, and it is important to use authorised dealers when purchasing antiquities. Finally, dual US-Turkish nationals may be subject to special obligations or hardships, including conscription and compulsory military service for male citizens over the age of 18.
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Leaving the airport during a layover
US citizens with an ordinary passport do not need a visa for Turkey if their layover is under 90 days within a 180-day timeframe. However, if you hold an official passport—for example, if you are a US government employee travelling for official business—you will need to apply for an e-visa at least 48 hours before departure. The visa costs $50 and can be obtained through an online application process.
If you are leaving the airport during your layover, it is recommended that you allow for at least 20 hours between your flights. This will give you enough time to explore the city and take advantage of the free accommodation and guided tours offered by Turkish Airlines.
To get to the city centre from the airport, you can take the metro, which runs every 20 minutes and offers 10 stops. You can also take a taxi or bus, which cost approximately 150 Turkish lira and 19 Turkish lira respectively, and take roughly the same amount of time. It is recommended to download the local taxi app, BiTaksi, as Turkey does not have Uber or Lyft. Alternatively, you can invest in an Istanbul Kart card before leaving the airport, which is a rechargeable, prepaid card that can be used on all public transportation lines, including buses, metros, ferries, funiculars, and trams.
If you are short on time, a layover of around 8 hours will allow you to explore the central Beyoglu district. For a longer layover of around 12 hours, you can also visit the historic Sultanahmet district.
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Transport options from the airport
There are multiple transport options for leaving Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Firstly, it is worth noting that most hotels will offer an airport pick-up service, although this is rarely free of charge.
If you are travelling light, you can use public transportation to reach your hotel. You can take the underground metro M1a from the airport in the direction of Yenikapi, then take the F1 Taksim-Kabataş funicular, followed by the T1 Kabataş-Bağcılar tramway and get off at the Sultanahmet stop. You can also use the airport shuttle service and get off at the Aksaray stop, then take a taxi from there. A private shuttle service is another option, which will bring you directly to your hotel. These are a good option for larger groups with lots of luggage or young children.
There are also buses and taxis available from the airport. The IETT and Havaist buses are wheelchair accessible and run almost 24/7, with prices ranging from 15.33₺-85₺ (0.84€-4.66€/080.$-4.60€). The Istanbul Airport Metro Line M11 also connects the airport with downtown Istanbul.
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The cost of leaving luggage at the airport
US citizens can leave Ataturk Airport during long layovers. It is recommended that travellers wishing to leave the airport during long layovers obtain an e-visa before their arrival at the airport. Turkish Airlines offers free guided tours and accommodation for travellers with long layovers.
Istanbul Atatürk Airport offers luggage storage facilities for travellers who want to leave their luggage at the airport. The airport has both left luggage offices and luggage lockers for short-term and long-term storage. The left luggage office is open 24 hours a day and is located in the main building of the airport, near the domestic gate and opposite Gate 13 on the arrival floor. To use the luggage office, travellers must present a passport and a boarding pass, fill in a luggage storage questionnaire, and ensure that their luggage is locked.
The cost of storing an item for up to 24 hours at the airport is around TL100 (approximately US$56 or €43). However, online luggage storage booking platforms such as Bounce.com offer discounts of up to 40% on the price. It is recommended that travellers pack light, label their luggage clearly, photograph their luggage, secure valuables separately, and monitor their luggage during storage.
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The location of the airport in relation to the city
Istanbul Atatürk Airport was the primary international airport of Istanbul, Turkey, until 2019. It is located in the city of Istanbul, hemmed in by the city on three sides and the Sea of Marmara on the fourth. The airport is accessible by car from the O-7 motorway and/or D.020 highway. It is also reachable by public IETT and Havaist buses. A taxi ride to the city centre takes approximately one hour.
The airport was previously the hub of Turkish Airlines and served more than 60 million passengers in 2015, making it the 11th busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic. However, due to limited space for expansion, a new airport was constructed to meet the growing demands of Istanbul's domestic and international air traffic.
The new Istanbul Airport is located approximately 35 km (22 mi) away from Atatürk Airport, in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. It is the largest airport in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe. All scheduled commercial passenger flights were transferred from Atatürk Airport to the new Istanbul Airport on 6 April 2019.
Atatürk Airport is now used for private jets and business aviation, with operators preferring it over the Sabiha Gokcen Airport due to its proximity to the city centre and improved services.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, US citizens can leave Ataturk Airport during a layover. However, they will need a visa to enter Turkey.
US citizens can apply for a single-entry eVisa valid for up to 30 days. The visa fee is $43 per person.
Turkish Airlines offers free guided tours of the city during layovers. You can also contact the Turkish Airlines hotel desk at Ataturk Airport to enquire about free accommodation.
