Ruth Haines
Istanbul Airport is the largest airport terminal building under a single roof in the world. It is a beautiful airport, but its size and layout can make it difficult to navigate. Travellers have complained about the long distances between gates, the lack of trains and moving walkways, confusing signage, and long queues at security and customs. However, others have found it easy to navigate for international-to-international transfers, and the airport offers some helpful services, such as buggy rides to gates and a playground for children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of navigation | Negative reviews describe the airport as a maze with ridiculous walking distances and insanely difficult to navigate. However, some reviews claim that for international-to-international transit, the airport is ridiculously easy to navigate, albeit often crowded. |
| Distance from the city | The new Istanbul International Airport is significantly further from the city than the old Atatürk Airport. |
| Airport size | Istanbul Airport's main terminal is the largest airport terminal building under a single roof in the world. |
| Signage | Some reviews claim that the signage is confusing and that flight status boards are displayed only in the local language. |
| Queues | There are often long queues at security and customs, which can cause delays. |
| Staff | Some reviews describe the staff as rude and unhelpful, with a lack of English-speaking staff. |
| Dining options | There are limited dining options, consisting mainly of food courts and fast food, with a few coffee spots. |
| Facilities | Reviews mention a lack of toilets and an insufficient "nap zone". |
| Prices | The airport is described as expensive, with high prices for food, drinks, and other items. |
| Transfers | The airport offers buggy services to help passengers reach their gates quickly. |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is huge, so be prepared for long walks
The Istanbul International Airport (IST) is huge, so be prepared for long walks. It is the largest airport terminal building under a single roof in the world. The airport is so big that it employs hundreds of people on motorised scooters to help those who cannot walk long distances. It is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight to account for the long walks.
The airport has a lack of trains and moving sidewalks in some areas, which can make getting around more difficult and time-consuming. In addition to the long walking distances, there are often long queues at security and customs, further adding to the time it takes to navigate the airport. Some travellers have reported missing their flights despite jogging most of the way.
To make your journey a little easier, you can purchase an IGA Pass, which allows you to skip the queues and use buggy services to get to your gate quickly without walking. This can be especially useful if you are travelling with children, as the airport also has a playground called Playland on the departures level past security.
Additionally, the airport's shopping plaza incorporates new technologies to make shopping more convenient and efficient. Smart shopping baskets keep a running tab of your purchases, and mobile payment points shorten checkout lines. However, be prepared for high prices, as many travellers have complained about the expensive food and drinks.
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There are few moving walkways or trains to speed up travel
The new Istanbul Airport is set to be the largest airport in the world, which means there is a lot of ground to cover when navigating the airport. Unfortunately, the airport does not have many moving walkways or trains to speed up travel, which can make it difficult to get around.
The airport is designed with a single massive terminal and multiple piers. While this design is convenient for transfer passengers who prefer having everything under one roof, it can be a challenge to get around due to the large distances between gates. The walking distances are significant, and the lack of moving walkways or trains means that travellers often have to walk long distances to reach their gates or the baggage claim area.
One traveller noted that they had to walk for 15-20 minutes on moving walkways to reach the baggage carousels, and another mentioned that it took them 25 minutes of brisk walking or 15 minutes of jogging to reach their gate, which was still not enough time to make their flight. The lack of efficient transportation options within the airport can cause travellers to miss their flights, as many have complained about.
The airport does have a metro line, the M11, that connects the airport to the city. This line is modern, clean, and well-organised, with trains running every 8-10 minutes. However, this line is for travel to and from the airport, not within it.
The lack of moving walkways and trains within the airport can make it challenging for travellers, especially those with limited mobility or heavy luggage, to get around efficiently. This issue is further compounded by the large size of the airport and the long distances between gates.
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Signage is poor, especially for departure gates
The Istanbul International Airport (IST) is a massive airport, which means that passengers have to walk or run a long way to get to their departure gates. The taxi time for aircraft is about 30 minutes, and the walking distances are quite long. In addition, the signage is poor, especially for departure gates, which can make it difficult for passengers to navigate the airport and locate their gates. This issue is compounded by the fact that the airport is still relatively new, and there are limited dining options available.
The lack of clear signage at Istanbul International Airport can cause confusion and frustration for travellers, especially those who are connecting to other flights or have a tight schedule. The airport's size and complex layout further exacerbate the problem, as passengers may need to walk for extended periods to reach their departure gates. It is recommended to allow for ample connection time when booking flights involving Istanbul International Airport to account for potential navigation challenges.
To mitigate the issue of poor signage, some travellers suggest obtaining an Istanbul Airport map in advance to help with wayfinding. Additionally, the airport offers buggy services that can transport passengers to their gates more quickly than walking. For those with children, the Playland playground on the departures level can be a helpful distraction while waiting for their flights.
The airport's management has also introduced new technologies in the shopping plaza to enhance the overall experience. Smart shopping baskets, mobile payment points, and electronic customer profiling aim to streamline shopping and provide personalised recommendations. However, the focus on technological advancements and expansion seems to have taken precedence over wayfinding and passenger comfort.
Istanbul International Airport's size and complexity, coupled with inadequate signage, can make navigating the airport a challenging task. It is crucial for passengers to give themselves enough time to locate their departure gates and consider utilising available resources, such as maps and buggy services, to ensure a smoother travel experience.
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Queues for security and customs are often long
Queues for security and customs at Istanbul Airport are often long. One passenger reported that it took them 15-20 minutes just to reach the baggage carousels, and that was before they had to queue for security and customs. Another passenger reported that they spent 30 minutes in the security queue, and at some point last year, they had to wait over an hour. If you have a tight connection, it is advisable to let the security personnel know so that they can fast-track you through.
Istanbul Airport is huge, and it can be a long walk between gates. One passenger reported that they had to walk/run a long way to catch their plane, even though they had arrived two hours before takeoff. The taxi time for aircraft is also long, at 30 minutes, and this is expected to increase when the airport adds three more runways.
The airport is also often crowded, which makes navigating it even more challenging. The large number of passengers can make it difficult to find your way around, especially if you are connecting to or from a domestic flight. The signage at the airport is not always clear, and flight status boards are displayed only in the local language, which can be confusing for international travellers.
To avoid long queues at security and customs, passengers can opt for the Istanbul Airport Fast Track service, which provides priority security screening and dedicated passport control lanes. This service also includes lounge access and baggage assistance, allowing passengers to have a smoother and more efficient airport experience.
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The airport is impressive, but staff are reportedly unhelpful
The new Istanbul International Airport is an impressive structure, with a main terminal that is the largest airport terminal building under a single roof in the world. The airport is also set to include a mosque as part of its anticipated expansion. However, its sheer size means that it can be difficult to navigate, with long walking distances between gates. This is exacerbated by a lack of trains and moving walkways to help passengers get around. In addition, some passengers have reported issues with signage, with flight status boards displayed only in the local language.
Despite the airport's impressive design, reviews suggest that the staff are often unhelpful. Some passengers have complained about long queues at immigration, with only a few officers on duty. Others have reported that staff members are rude and unfriendly, and that it is difficult to find anyone who speaks English. One review mentions that there are few Turkish Airlines staff available to help with the complex self-bag check process.
The airport also falls short in other areas. For example, dining options are currently limited, with only about 25% of the planned food and beverage facilities in operation. Prices for food and drinks are reportedly very high, and there is no pharmacy in the transit terminal. In addition, the "nap zone" has been criticised for being uncomfortable, with drilling taking place past midnight.
Overall, while the new Istanbul International Airport is impressive in terms of its size and design, it seems that there are several issues with the staff and facilities that could make the airport difficult to navigate and unpleasant to spend time in. However, it is worth noting that some of these issues, such as the limited dining options, may improve as the airport continues to develop.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Istanbul Airport is not easy to navigate. It is a huge airport with long walking distances and poor signage. There are also reports of long queues at security and passport control.
To get around Istanbul Airport easily, you can purchase an IGA Pass, which gives you access to the IGA Lounge and buggy services that can take you to your gate quickly.
Yes, aside from the size and layout of the airport, there are reports of rude and unhelpful staff, limited dining options, and expensive prices for food and drinks.
It is recommended to allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for navigating Istanbul Airport, especially if you have a connecting flight. The airport is known for long queues and significant walking distances between gates.
