Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is a major hub for international travel and is served by three airports. The new Istanbul Airport (IST) is the largest airport in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe. It is located on the European side of the city and offers a wide range of international connections. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is located on the Asian side of Istanbul and provides convenient access to many destinations in Turkey, as well as some international connections. Atatürk Airport, the third and smallest airport in Istanbul, is also located on the European side of the city but ceased commercial flights in 2019.

Airports in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Airport (IST) is the largest airport in Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is served by three airports, with Istanbul Airport (IST) being the largest. It is located in the Çatalca-Göktürk-Arnavutköy area on the European side of the city, 40km from Taksim and 52km from Kadıköy. The airport is set to become a major transportation hub, connecting three continents.

Istanbul Airport (IST) is the primary entry point into Turkey. It is one of the two international airports serving Istanbul, the other being Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). IST is the larger of the two airports, offering more international connections. It is also the second busiest airport in Europe and the Middle East, serving more than 76 million passengers in 2023.

The airport is a modern facility, boasting state-of-the-art infrastructure and easy access from both sides of Istanbul by metro or bus lines. It features a wide range of amenities, including over 40 restaurants and cafes, full Wi-Fi coverage, and various museums and exhibitions. The duty-free shopping area is particularly notable, with over 100 stores. The airport also features comfortable accommodation, with the YOTEL Istanbul Airport Hotel offering 451 rooms.

Istanbul Airport's terminal building is impressive, covering an area of 1,440,000 square meters, making it the third-largest airport terminal building in the world. It has five piers, with four serving international boarding gates and one dedicated to domestic destinations. The airport currently has one functional terminal, four runways, and five concourses. Once fully completed, it will have four terminal buildings with interconnecting rail access, covering a total indoor area of 3,200,000 square meters.

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is named after a Turkish aviator

Istanbul, Turkey, is served by two international airports: Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. The latter, with the airport code SAW, is named after a Turkish aviator.

Sabiha Gökçen was born in 1913 and adopted by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, at the age of 12. In 1934, Atatürk gave her the family name Gökçen, which means "belonging or relating to the sky". Six months later, she developed a passion for flying and went on to become the first female combat pilot, training four other female aviators. She was also appointed chief trainer of the Türkkuşu Flight School of the Turkish Aeronautical Association, where she served until 1954. Gökçen received numerous awards during her career, including the Turkish Aeronautical Association's first "Murassa (Jeweled) Medal", the Badge of the White Eagle, and an army badge from the Yugoslav Army. In 1996, she was selected as the only female pilot for the poster of "The 20 Greatest Aviators in History", published by the United States Air Force. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport was named in her honour and opened in January 2001, two months before her death.

Atatürk Airport, the third and smallest airport, has ceased commercial flights

Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is a major hub for international travel and is served by three airports. The new Istanbul Airport (IST) is the largest airport in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city, 40km from Taksim and 52km from Kadıköy. The airport features over 40 restaurants and cafes, full Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal, and various museums and exhibitions. It also offers an expansive duty-free shopping area with over 100 stores. The airport is expected to have four terminal buildings when fully expanded, with a capacity of 200 million passengers per year, making it the world's biggest airport.

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), named after Turkish aviator and the world's first female fighter pilot, Sabiha Gökçen, is located on the Asian side of Istanbul. It offers a more limited selection of international connections but still provides convenient access to many destinations in Turkey and some international destinations. The airport has a capacity of 35 million passengers per year and features CIP and VIP lounges, duty-free shops, bars, cafeterias, pubs, restaurants, a hotel, a post office, a bank, emergency medical services, car rental, and car parks.

Istanbul International Airport has one terminal building, the biggest under one roof worldwide

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is served by three airports: Istanbul International Airport (IST), Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), and Atatürk Airport. The new Istanbul International Airport, located in the Çatalca-Göktürk-Arnavutköy area on the European side of the city, is the largest airport in Turkey and the second busiest airport in Europe. It is an impressive and technologically advanced aviation hub, covering an area of over 1,440,000 square meters.

Despite its grandeur, Istanbul International Airport currently has only one terminal building, making it the biggest terminal building under one roof worldwide. This massive terminal is divided into two primary areas: Departures and Arrivals. It features five piers, with four (Piers A, B, D, and F) serving international boarding gates and the fifth (Pier G), along with three boarding areas of Pier F, dedicated to domestic destinations. The single terminal design, coupled with its enormous size, can make airport procedures time-consuming, so passengers are advised to arrive at least 2.5 to 3 hours early to ensure they reach their gates on time.

The Istanbul International Airport terminal offers a wide range of amenities and services to cater to the needs of travellers. It boasts over 40 restaurants and cafes, providing a variety of dining options. Additionally, passengers can enjoy full Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal and explore various museums and exhibitions. The duty-free shopping area is expansive, with over 100 stores, making it one of the largest in the world. The airport also features comfortable accommodations, including the YOTEL Istanbul Airport Hotel, with rooms available for both international travellers and those seeking accommodations before their departure.

The airport's design includes several other notable features. There are multiple car parks, conveniently located close to the terminal building, offering both short-term and long-term parking options. Additionally, the airport has an extensive network of taxiways, aprons, and runways to facilitate aircraft movement and efficient operations. Once fully completed, Istanbul International Airport is expected to have four terminal buildings, each with interconnecting rail access, further enhancing its capacity and functionality.

Istanbul International Airport has quickly become a favourite among travellers to Turkey, offering state-of-the-art facilities and easy access from both sides of Istanbul by metro or bus lines. Its modern design, combined with its vast array of services and amenities, has earned it accolades, including being named "The Best Airport in the World" by Travel & Leisure readers and receiving a 5-star rating from Skytrax, an international aviation organization.

Istanbul's airports serve as a major hub for international travel

Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is a significant hub for international travel, with three airports catering to millions of passengers each year. The city's primary entry point is the New Istanbul Airport (IST), located on the European side of the city. This airport is impressive in terms of scale and technology, boasting a vast terminal building of 1,440,000 square meters, making it the world's third-largest. It is currently the second busiest airport in Europe, serving over 76 million passengers in 2023. The airport features a large duty-free shopping area, numerous restaurants and cafes, full Wi-Fi access, and various museums and exhibitions. With its advanced facilities and convenient access from both sides of Istanbul, it has become a favourite among travellers.

The second major airport in Istanbul is Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), named after Turkey's pioneering aviator and the world's first female fighter pilot, Sabiha Gökçen. Located on the Asian side of the city, it offers a more limited selection of international connections but still provides convenient access to many destinations within Turkey. Sabiha Gökçen Airport, along with the former primary airport Atatürk Airport, handled over 100 million passengers combined in 2017.

Atatürk Airport, located on the European side of Istanbul, was once one of the busiest airports in Europe. However, due to its limited capacity for expansion, it was replaced by the New Istanbul Airport as the primary international gateway to the city. As of 2019, Atatürk Airport ceased commercial passenger operations, and now only 40% of the airport caters to general aviation, military flights, and VIP private jet services. The remaining area is set to be transformed into a massive urban park.

Istanbul's airports showcase the city's importance as a travel hub, connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The New Istanbul Airport, in particular, is designed to handle a massive volume of passengers, aiming for a capacity of 200 million yearly when fully expanded. With its multiple terminals, runways, and advanced facilities, it streamlines travel to and from Istanbul, catering to both international and domestic destinations. The airport's location between Europe and Asia underscores Istanbul's role as a bridge between continents, making it a strategic gateway for travellers from all over the world.

Frequently asked questions