Istanbul Airport's Efficient Gate System: How Many Are There?

Istanbul Airport is a huge aviation hub, with the largest terminal building in the world under one roof. Covering an area of 1,440,000m², the terminal is divided into departure and arrival zones. The terminal has five piers, four of which serve international boarding gates, and the remaining pier and three boarding areas of another pier serve domestic destinations. With only two security control areas, the terminal's size makes the airport procedures time-consuming, and the distances from the central terminal zone to each pier are significant.

International and domestic boarding gates

Istanbul Airport is a major transportation hub, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. The airport currently has one terminal building, which is the largest terminal building in the world under one roof. This terminal is divided into departure and arrival zones, with five piers: A, B, D, F, and G.

For passengers departing on domestic flights, it is recommended to use Doors 1 and 2 for entry. Check-in counters D and E are designated for domestic travellers, followed by the passport control area near aisle D. The boarding gates for domestic flights are primarily located in Pier G and three boarding areas of Pier F.

On the other hand, international travellers typically enter through the remaining doors and proceed to aisles E, F, G, H, and J for check-in, with the relevant passport control area located opposite these aisles. Entrance 5 is exclusive to business-class passengers and Miles & More members boarding international flights. The international boarding gates are mainly found in Piers A, B, D, and F.

It is important to note that specific check-in counters cater to different categories of passengers. For instance, large travelling groups and individuals with special needs are served at aisle G, families are served at aisle K, and travellers from the US, UK, and Canada are served at check-in counter K.

Security control areas

Istanbul International Airport (IST) is a huge aviation hub, with the largest terminal building in the world under one roof. Covering an area of 1,440,000m², the terminal is an architectural marvel, blending contemporary design with cultural and historical influences. The terminal is divided into two main areas: Departures and Arrivals.

The security control areas at Istanbul Airport are one of its main drawbacks. There are only two security control areas, one landside and one airside, serving both domestic and international flights. This can make the airport procedures tedious and time-consuming, especially when combined with the vast distances between the central terminal zone and each pier. The walking distances between gates are significant, and the moving walkways are insufficient. Therefore, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport 2.5-3 hours before their flight to ensure they can reach their gate without stress.

The terminal has five piers: A, B, D, F, and G. Piers A, B, D, and F are for international boarding gates, while Pier G and three boarding areas of Pier F serve domestic flights. The airport has 566 check-in counters across 13 counter islands. For domestic flights, passengers should proceed to check-in counters D and E (self-service check-in) and then move to the passport control area near aisle D. International travellers should head to aisles E (self-service check-in), F, G, H, and J, with the relevant passport control area located opposite these aisles.

The security and check-in process at Istanbul Airport can be time-consuming due to the large number of travellers and the vast size of the terminal. The airport serves more than 350 domestic and international destinations in 110 countries, and it is expected to host more than 200 million passengers by 2025. Therefore, passengers are advised to arrive early and allow ample time for the security and check-in process to avoid missing their flights.

Check-in procedures

Istanbul Airport is a major transportation hub, connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa. The airport is located in the Çatalca- Göktürk-Arnavutköy area, 40km from Taksim and 52km from Kadıköy. It is currently the largest terminal building in the world under one roof, covering an area of 1,440,000m². The terminal is divided into Departure and Arrival zones, with five piers: A, B, D, F, and G. Piers A, B, D, and F serve international boarding gates, while Pier G and three boarding areas of Pier F serve domestic flights.

The check-in procedure at Istanbul Airport is efficient and straightforward. The terminal has 566 check-in counters across 13 counter islands, 36 bag-drop counters, and 112 self-check-in kiosks. Passengers are advised to check in at least 2 hours before departure for international flights and 1-1.5 hours for domestic flights. Upon verification of your ticket and identification document at the check-in counter, your luggage will be accepted, and your boarding pass will be issued.

For domestic flights, passengers should proceed to check-in counters D and E for self-service check-in and then move to the passport control area near aisle D. International travellers should head to aisles E, F, G, H, and J for self-service check-in, with the relevant passport control area located opposite these aisles. Entrance 5 is dedicated to business-class passengers and Miles & More members boarding international flights.

Specific check-in counters cater to different categories of passengers. Large travelling groups and individuals with special needs are served at aisle G, families at aisle K, and travellers from the US, UK, and Canada at check-in counter K. Star Alliance Gold members and Turkish Airlines business-class passengers should use aisle L.

It is recommended that passengers arrive at Istanbul International Airport 2.5-3 hours before their flight to ensure a stress-free experience and allow for the significant walking distances between gates and from the central terminal zone to each pier.

Arrival and departure zones

The Istanbul International Airport (IST) terminal is divided into two zones: the Departure zone and the Arrival zone. The terminal covers a vast area of 1,440,000m², making it the largest terminal building in the world under one roof. The impressive size of the terminal, combined with the lack of internal transit systems, means that passengers are advised to arrive at the airport 2.5-3 hours before their flight to ensure they have enough time to reach their departure gate without stress.

The Departure zone can be entered through seven doors. Doors 1 and 2 are generally used for domestic flights, while the remaining doors are for international check-in counters. Passengers on domestic flights should proceed to check-in counters D and E for self-service check-in, and then move to the passport control area near aisle D. International travellers should head to aisles E, F, G, H, and J for self-service check-in, with the relevant passport control area located opposite these aisles. Entrance 5 is reserved for business-class passengers and Miles & More members boarding international flights.

Specific check-in counters are designated for different categories of passengers. Large groups and individuals with special needs are served at aisle G, families at aisle K, and travellers from the US, UK, and Canada at check-in counter K. Star Alliance Gold members and Turkish Airlines business-class passengers are served at aisle L.

The Arrival zone is where passengers exit the terminal after disembarking their flights. This zone includes the baggage claim area, customs, and immigration. The airport provides a range of services and amenities for arriving passengers, including baggage wrapping and luggage storage, pharmacies and medical services, banks, ATMs, and currency exchange areas.

Istanbul International Airport has five piers in total. Piers A, B, D, and F serve international boarding gates, while Pier G and three boarding areas of Pier F are dedicated to domestic flights. The airport currently has only one terminal building, but it is expected to expand to four interconnected terminals in the future.

Transport to the airport

Istanbul Airport is located approximately 35 km from the city centre. It is one of the world's largest and busiest airports, serving tens of millions of passengers annually. The airport can be reached via several transportation options, including public and private transfers.

Public Transportation

The M11 metro operates between Gayrettepe and Istanbul Airport, with transfers to other lines available. The metro journey takes around 30 minutes, and the line has 10 stops in total, including University-Hasdal, Kemerburgaz, and Göktürk. The Istanbul Airport metro station offers various amenities, such as baby care rooms, prayer rooms, free toilets, and a lost and found office.

Havaist and IETT Buses

Havaist and IETT buses provide transportation from Istanbul Airport to downtown and various locations within the city. These buses are highly frequent and almost available 24/7. The routes and timetables can be checked online. The bus fare ranges from 40₺ to 258₺, depending on the chosen route.

Private Car and Taxi

Istanbul Airport is accessible via the D20 highway in the Tayakadın area of the Arnavutköy district. It can also be reached from the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge through the North Marmara motorway.

Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport and the city centre, with the journey taking around 60 minutes, depending on traffic. The cost of a taxi ride varies, with orange taxis offering cheaper options and black taxis providing luxurious but more expensive transfers.

Private Airport Transfers

Several private airport transfer operators offer services to and from Istanbul Airport. Passengers can opt for a personal driver who will assist with luggage and provide a comfortable and fast transfer to their accommodation.

Car Rental

For those who prefer autonomous travel, various airport car rental companies are present at Istanbul Airport, offering a range of car hire services.

Frequently asked questions