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Istanbul, the only intercontinental city, has two international airports: Ataturk Airport in Yesilkoy, located on the European side of the city, and Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Kurtkoy, located on the Asian side. Ataturk Airport, the largest airport in Turkey, is about 15 miles west of the city centre, while Sabiha Gokcen Airport is about 22 miles southeast of the city centre. In this paragraph, we will explore the facilities and services offered at Ataturk Airport and assess how American-friendly it is.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Yesilkoy, European side of Istanbul |
| Distance from Istanbul city centre | 15 miles |
| Distance from new Istanbul Airport | 22 miles |
| Former busiest airport in Europe | Ranked among the top five by passenger traffic |
| Current capacity | 90 million passengers |
| Future capacity | 200 million passengers |
| Facilities | Hair salon, massage bar, showers, prayer rooms, VIP lounges, cargo and general aviation facilities, hospitals, hotels, convention centres, power plants, etc. |
| Kid-friendly | Yes, toys, slides, television, kid packs with colouring pages, crayons, puzzles, small toys |
| US flight deals | Flights from New York to Istanbul for as low as $475 |
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What You'll Learn
- Istanbul Ataturk Airport is the main airport serving the city of Istanbul and is the largest airport in Turkey
- The airport offers a free tour of Istanbul for layovers longer than 6 hours, provided by Turkish Airlines
- There is no official play area for children at the airport, however, the Prime Lounge has a small selection of children's toys
- Several hotels in Istanbul offer a shuttle service from Ataturk Airport
- The most popular connection to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is from New York, with round-trip deals as low as $475
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is the main airport serving the city of Istanbul and is the largest airport in Turkey
Istanbul Airport (IST) is the main airport serving the city of Istanbul and is the largest airport in Turkey. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. The airport is reachable by car from the O-7 motorway and/or D.020 highway, and Istanbul city taxis are available 24 hours a day outside the arrival and departure areas of the airport. A trip to the city centre by taxi takes approximately 50 minutes to an hour. The airport is also serviced by public IETT and Havaist buses, with tickets ranging from 15.33₺-85₺ (0.84€-4.66€/080.$-4.60$).
Istanbul Airport was officially inaugurated on 29 October 2018, coinciding with the 95th anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic. The first flight took off on 31 October 2018, and all passenger flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport were moved to the new airport on 6 April 2019. The new airport inherited Ataturk’s IATA code (IST).
Istanbul Airport is expected to host more than 200 million passengers by 2025. It currently serves over 350 domestic and international destinations in 110 countries, and its duty-free area is one of the largest in the world. The airport features a main terminal with an annual passenger capacity of 90 million and an area of 1,440,000 square metres, making it the world's third-largest airport terminal building. There are two pairs of parallel runways connected to eight parallel taxiways to the west of the main terminal, approximately 4,000,000 square metres of apron space, and an indoor car park with a capacity of 12,000 vehicles. The airport also features three technical blocks for repairs, maintenance, and fuelling, as well as an air traffic control tower, eight ramp control towers, and hangars for cargo and general aviation aircraft.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport was one of the busiest airports in Europe, ranking among the top five busiest airports in Europe by passenger traffic since 2013. In 2017, it handled over 100 million passengers combined with Sabiha Gökçen, Istanbul's other international airport. However, it was unable to expand to meet growing demands due to its location hemmed in by the city on three sides and the Sea of Marmara on the other. Thus, a new airport was constructed to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic.
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The airport offers a free tour of Istanbul for layovers longer than 6 hours, provided by Turkish Airlines
Istanbul Airport has two Touristanbul desks: one in the arrivals hall and the other in the transfer area. Touristanbul is a complimentary service offered by Turkish Airlines for international passengers with a layover of 6 to 24 hours. The tour includes visits to Istanbul's most iconic sites and monuments, as well as authentic Turkish cuisine. Passengers are picked up and dropped off at the airport, and tour times are carefully arranged to ensure that passengers make their connecting flights.
There are six different tours to choose from, and registration can be completed at the Touristanbul desk on the arrival floor. It is recommended that passengers arrive at the desk at least 30 minutes before the tour starts. The tour is free for passengers with a Turkish Airlines or codeshare-operated flight ticket number starting with 235.
The free tour includes a visit to the Hagia Sophia, where a brief history lesson is provided, followed by 30 minutes of independent exploration. After this, the tour moves to the Blue Mosque, where there is no entry fee, and then to the Hippodrome. A 3-course traditional Turkish lunch is provided, including bean salad, bread, an Ayran drink, meatballs and rice, and dessert.
For those who do not qualify for the free Touristanbul package, there are private guided city tours available for a small group of 6-8 people. These tours can be booked online and are flexible, allowing travellers to choose the top places to visit and things to do.
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There is no official play area for children at the airport, however, the Prime Lounge has a small selection of children's toys
Istanbul has two international airports: Ataturk Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Ataturk Airport is the main airport serving the city of Istanbul and is the largest airport in Turkey. It is located in Yesilkoy on the European side of the city, 15 miles west of the city centre. Sabiha Gokcen Airport is located on the Asian side of the city, 22 miles southeast of the city centre.
Ataturk Airport does not have an official play area for children. However, the Prime Lounge at Ataturk Airport has a small selection of soft children's toys, a slide, and a television. This may be particularly useful for families with young children, as it may be worth paying for access to the lounge to keep them entertained.
Turkish Airlines, which operates out of Ataturk Airport, provides some of the best kid-friendly amenities. They offer services for unaccompanied minors (UM) and kid packs with colouring pages, crayons, puzzles, or small toys. These kids’ packs can keep children entertained throughout the flight.
If you are flying into Ataturk Airport with a layover longer than 6 hours, you can enjoy a free tour of Istanbul provided by Turkish Airlines. The airport also offers two hours of free Wi-Fi, as well as a hair salon, massage bar, showers, and several mosques.
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Several hotels in Istanbul offer a shuttle service from Ataturk Airport
Istanbul Atatürk Airport was one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving millions of passengers. Several hotels in Istanbul offer a shuttle service from the airport, making the commute more convenient for their guests.
For instance, the Loft Airport Hotel, located in the heart of Arnavutköy, provides a 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle service for a surcharge. Similarly, GLK PREMIER Sea Mansion Suites & Spa, situated near the Mosaic Museum and Blue Mosque, offers a 24-hour roundtrip shuttle for a fee. Another option is the Moss Suites Hotel, located near Taksim Square, which also provides a 24-hour roundtrip shuttle service for its guests.
Some hotels, like the Divan Istanbul, offer a luxurious experience with a spa and easy access to Taksim Square and the Istanbul Devlet Tiyatrosu. They also provide a 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle service for a surcharge. Additionally, the Aprilis Gold hotel in Istanbul coordinates free rides from the airport for its guests, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming experience.
While some hotels offer their own shuttle services, there are also private shuttle companies that can be booked. KiwiTaxi, for example, offers a personalised service with various car options, accommodating different group sizes. These private shuttles can be more comfortable and convenient, especially for larger groups or families with young children. They also offer a fixed rate, which can be beneficial for budgeting.
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The most popular connection to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is from New York, with round-trip deals as low as $475
Istanbul's Atatürk Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe, ranking among the top five busiest airports in Europe by passenger traffic since 2013. The airport is located 15 miles west of the city centre, in Yesilkoy on the European side of the city. It is the main airport serving Istanbul and is the largest airport in Turkey.
Atatürk Airport offers a range of amenities to travellers, including free Wi-Fi, a hair salon, massage bar, showers, and several mosques. Additionally, Turkish Airlines provides a free tour of Istanbul for passengers with layovers longer than six hours. The airport also features prayer rooms, duty-free shopping, and a small selection of children's toys and entertainment in the Prime Lounge.
Regarding flight deals, the most popular connection to Istanbul Atatürk Airport from the United States is from New York. According to KAYAK, a travel search engine, round-trip deals between New York and Istanbul Atatürk Airport can be found for as low as $475. The average price of a round-trip flight between these destinations is $782. It is recommended to book flights at least 180 days in advance for the best deals, and Tuesday is typically the cheapest day of the week to fly. January tends to be the most affordable month for flights on this route, and non-stop flights are available daily.
When flying from New York to Istanbul, you will depart from one of the three New York airports: Newark, John F. Kennedy International, or LaGuardia. Your flight will arrive at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, which is the only airport in the city. Turkish Airlines typically offers the most affordable flights for this route, and flights with one stopover are usually cheaper than direct flights.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Istanbul Ataturk Airport is American-friendly. It is one of the two international airports in Istanbul, the other being Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located on the European side of the city, 15 miles west of the city centre. It offers two hours of free Wi-Fi, a hair salon, massage bar, showers, and several mosques. In addition, several hotels in Istanbul offer a shuttle service from the airport.
Yes, the Prime Lounge at Istanbul Ataturk Airport has a small selection of soft children's toys, a slide, and a television. Turkish Airlines also provides kid-friendly amenities such as services for unaccompanied minors and kid packs with colouring pages, crayons, puzzles, or small toys.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is a large airport, so it is important to verify that you have enough time between flights if you are connecting. In addition, things are more expensive at the airport and they accept US dollars but charge at the euro rate.
According to KAYAK, a travel search engine, the cheapest flight deal to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in the last 2 weeks cost $347 and departed from Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The most popular connection is from New York to Istanbul, and KAYAK users have found round-trip deals for as low as $475 in the last 3 days.
Yes, if your layover is longer than 6 hours, you can enjoy a free tour of Istanbul provided by Turkish Airlines.
