Lois Larson
Istanbul Airport is located about 50km away from the city centre. If you have a long layover, you can travel to Istanbul and explore the city. However, if you have a short layover, there are still plenty of things to do at the airport. You can visit the airport's museum, which features modern and traditional works of art, or enjoy spa treatments and shower facilities. There are also several restaurants, cafes, and bars, including the famed #saltbae restaurant, Nusr‒Et. The airport also offers a wide range of shopping options, from duty-free stores to luxury brands. For those who need to get some work done, there are business centres and quiet areas, as well as free Wi-Fi access.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Arnavutkoy Area, 50km from Istanbul city centre |
| Time to get through airport controls | 1-1.5 hours |
| Transport to city centre | 50-100 minutes by taxi or bus |
| Transport to city centre (alternative) | M11 subway line |
| Visa requirements | Check with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Shopping | Over 175 shops, including duty-free stores, souvenir shops, convenience stores, pharmacies, bookshops, electronics stores, fashion stores, and luxury brands |
| Food and drink | Restaurants, cafes, fast food, food courts, bars, pubs, and traditional Turkish cuisine |
| Relaxation | Lounges, "Nap Zones", spa treatments, and shower facilities |
| Accommodation | YOTEL Istanbul Airport |
| Business facilities | Meeting rooms, quiet areas, and business centres |
| Attractions | Museum, library, and a mosque |
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What You'll Learn
Relax in a lounge, spa or hotel
Istanbul Airport has a variety of lounges, spas, and hotels where you can relax and unwind during your layover.
Lounges
The airport offers several lounges with different amenities and entry requirements. The IGA International Lounge and IGA Popup Lounge provide a fully equipped and cosy place to relax, with food, refreshments, showers, a smoking area, baby care rooms, workstations, a TV area, billiards, duty-free shopping, and a prayer area. The IGA Premium Lounge is the only paid-entry lounge, while others are accessible with a business class ticket or elite status memberships. You can also purchase lounge passes or memberships for access to certain lounges. The Turkish Airlines lounges, for example, are only accessible to business class passengers or Star Alliance Gold members. In contrast, the iGA Lounges are accessible to all travellers for a fee, with prices ranging from €35 to €85 + VAT for a single visit.
Spas
The Ambassador Spa & Beauty Salon offers steam room and shower packages, with showers costing €25 for 20 minutes.
Hotels
If you're looking for a more private and comfortable space to relax, the YOTEL hotel, located within the airport, offers luxurious and cosy accommodation. You can take advantage of the 4-hour check-in options to rest, eat, and relax without worrying about missing your flight.
Istanbul Airport also offers free "Nap Zones" with semi-reclined seats and day beds in the International Terminal. Additionally, the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge provides private sleep suites for eligible business class passengers.
With its diverse range of lounges, spas, and hotels, Istanbul Airport ensures that travellers can relax and recharge before their next flight.
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Enjoy Turkish food and drink
Istanbul Airport has a wide range of dining options, from fast food to sit-down restaurants. There are also several bars where you can grab a drink. If you're looking for a taste of Turkey during your layover, there are plenty of options to choose from.
First, a traditional Turkish breakfast is a must-try. Simit Sarayı serves simit, a popular street food pastry covered in sesame seeds, which you can pair with Turkish black tea (çay) or ayran, a yoghurt drink. For something more substantial, add some cheese or eggs. If you're after something heartier, try a dürüm, a thin flatbread filled with doner kebab meat, or kokoreç, an offal kebab wrapped in intestines and cooked until crispy. For a lighter bite, go for gözleme, a stuffed flatbread, or börek, a baked pastry filled with cheese, minced meat, or vegetables. If you're craving something savoury and spicy, çiğ köfte, a vegan wrap made with ground bulgar wheat, tomato paste, walnut paste, pomegranate molasses, and spices, is a delicious option.
For a sweet treat, head to one of the many coffee shops for a cup of freshly brewed Turkish coffee, served with a side of dolmas (rice-stuffed grape leaves) or baklava. If you're looking for something truly indulgent, try the lokum (Turkish delight) or grab some overpriced but good-quality baklava from the duty-free shops as a souvenir.
If you have a longer layover and want to venture out of the airport, the city centre is about 50km away. Sultanahmet is the place to go if you want to experience the original, oriental, and historical character of Istanbul. Here, you can admire iconic monuments like the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque, and wander through the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market to get a true taste of Istanbul.
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Shop for souvenirs, fashion and electronics
Istanbul Airport offers a wide range of shopping options, from duty-free stores to souvenir shops and international brands. The airport's duty-free area, operated by Unifree Duty-Free Istanbul and ATU Duty-Free, offers a diverse selection of premium and luxury brands at competitive prices.
If you're looking for souvenirs, fashion, and electronics, Istanbul Airport has you covered. For authentic Turkish souvenirs, sweets, and teas, explore the ATU Old Bazaar. You can also find exclusive deals on luxury perfumes, cosmetics, and fashion essentials from brands like Dior and Victoria's Secret.
Tech-savvy travellers will appreciate the Apple Duty-Free Istanbul store, offering discounts on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. Keep an eye out for promotional deals throughout the year to maximise your savings. Remember to have your passport and boarding pass handy, as they are required for duty-free purchases.
Istanbul Airport also has a variety of international brands, including fashion retailers. With its extensive options, you're sure to find fashion items to suit your style and budget. Whether you're looking for luxury brands or high-street fashion, the airport's shops cater to a range of tastes.
Lastly, don't forget to explore the city of Istanbul itself if you have a long layover. The airport is located almost 50km from the city centre, but with proper planning, you can visit popular areas like Sultanahmet and Taksim. Sultanahmet offers historical attractions like the Hagia Sophia Museum, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar.
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Visit the library or art museum
Istanbul Airport is a significant meeting point for people from all over the world, and it offers a unique cultural experience through the İGA ART project. The airport is an appealing space for the production and mediation of art, with a focus on contemporary concepts and strategies. The İGA ART project aims to bring art and passengers together, creating a common language of art for guests from different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles. Young artists representing the future of our age have their works displayed as part of this project. The airport also has an art museum located in the International Departures area, which is open from 9 am to 9 pm daily. The museum features a collection of modern and traditional artworks, including replica statues, and informative tours through the long history of Anatolia. Admission is 10 Euros, with free entry for visitors under 8 years old.
Istanbul Airport also has the distinction of being the first airport in Türkiye to have a library. The Airport Library is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Istanbul Technical University, and iGA. It is located in the domestic terminal knuckle area and is open daily from 7 am to 11 pm. The library has a collection of approximately 2,000 books in various genres, including Turkish literature, history, personal development, and fantasy novels. It also offers airport-exclusive periodicals, audiobooks, special needs books, e-books, children's reading zones, and touch screen-readable short stories. The library is part of the National Public Library infrastructure, allowing books borrowed from there to be returned to any public library in Türkiye, and vice versa. Various cultural events are organised to encourage reading habits and promote the country's literary culture. Passengers can participate in activities such as story walks, on-the-spot reading, book signings, and interactive reading.
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Explore Istanbul's sights, like Sultanahmet or Taksim
Istanbul Airport offers plenty of ways to pass the time during a layover. You can visit the airport's museum, showcasing modern and traditional art, or relax in one of the many lounges and seating areas. The airport also features a variety of dining options, ranging from fast food to sit-down restaurants and bars. For those who need to get some work done, there are business centres and quiet areas, as well as meeting rooms.
Now, let's explore the sights of Istanbul, focusing on Sultanahmet and Taksim:
Sultanahmet:
Sultanahmet is renowned for its historical sites and is often referred to as the heart of Istanbul's Old City. Here are some highlights:
- Hagia Sophia: One of the most famous structures in Istanbul, it is a must-see for its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
- Blue Mosque: Adorned with beautiful blue tiles, this mosque is a stunning example of classical Turkish architecture.
- Topkapi Palace: This vast palace, once home to Ottoman sultans, offers a glimpse into the past with its sprawling grounds and rich history.
- Grand Bazaar: Get lost in this giant labyrinth of shops, where you can find everything from souvenirs to traditional handicrafts.
- Arasta Bazaar: Located next to the Blue Mosque, this 17th-century bazaar offers a more intimate shopping experience with a variety of traditional goods.
- Gulhane Park: Stroll through this park within the walls of Topkapi Palace, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings while also getting a sense of Istanbul's rich history.
- Turkish Baths: After exploring the historical monuments, relax and rejuvenate in one of the traditional Turkish baths in the area.
- Magnificent Views: Climb up to the terraces of hotels like Seven Hills, Arcadia Blue, and Adamar for breathtaking views of the city.
Taksim:
Taksim is the vibrant heart of Istanbul, offering a mix of culture, history, and entertainment. Here are some key sights:
- Taksim Square: This bustling square is a popular meeting point and gateway to the famous Istiklal Street. It's known for its lively atmosphere and historical significance, having served as a water depot during the Ottoman period.
- Hagia Triada: One of the largest sanctuaries in Istanbul, this church boasts intricate iconography, ornate decorations, and a massive dome, showcasing the heritage of Byzantine and Greek Orthodox traditions.
- Ataturk Cultural Center: Check out this venue for various concerts, events, and exhibits featuring world-renowned artists and unique cultural experiences.
- French Street: Located behind Galatasaray High School, this street is one of Taksim's cultural hubs. With its yellow and pink buildings and historic significance, it's a charming place to explore.
- Beyoglu: This beloved district is home to Istiklal Street, famous for its vibrant venues and historical sites. It's a great place to wander and soak in the lively atmosphere of Istanbul.
- Nightlife and Cuisine: Taksim is known for its lively nightlife, with numerous bars and lounges, as well as delicious street food and stylish luxurious hotels.
Whether you're exploring the historic Sultanahmet or the vibrant Taksim, Istanbul offers a wealth of sights, sounds, and experiences that will leave a lasting impression.
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Frequently asked questions
Istanbul Airport has plenty of options to keep you entertained during a long layover. You can eat at one of the many restaurants, bars and coffee shops, or do some shopping at the airport's 175+ shops. If you want to relax, you can pay to enter one of the lounges, get a spa treatment, or take a nap in one of the airport's nap zones. There's also a museum inside the airport, which is worth checking out if you have time.
It takes approximately 50-100 minutes to get to the city centre by taxi or bus. You can also get the M11 subway line, which takes a similar amount of time. It's worth noting that Istanbul Airport is located about 50km from the city centre, so you'll need to factor in travel time if you're planning to leave the airport.
This depends on which country you are from. Some countries don't require a visa to visit Turkey, while others can get one online. It's important to check the latest visa requirements before your trip to avoid any surprises. If you're planning to leave the airport during your layover, you may need a Transit Visa.
