İstanbul Airport (IST)

Common Complaints

• Exorbitant Prices: A widespread complaint is the ridiculously high cost of food, drinks, and other services, with prices significantly higher than downtown Istanbul and other international airports.
• Immense Size and Walking Distances: The airport is described as "massive" and "too big," requiring extensive walking distances between gates, which can be exhausting and lead to missed connections. There is no internal train system to assist with these distances.
• Unhelpful and Rude Staff: Many reviews highlight issues with indifferent, rude, or unhelpful airport staff, particularly concerning directions or assistance with missed flights.
• Disorganized Security and Check-in: Some travelers experienced disorganized security and check-in processes, with flights not appearing on boards and multiple passport checks. Security wait times can reach up to 55 minutes and immigration up to 60 minutes.
• Poor Wi-Fi Connectivity: The free Wi-Fi is often limited to one hour and requires a verification code sent to a phone, which some travelers find cumbersome or non-functional.
• Transit and Connection Challenges: The large size and late posting of gate information (sometimes as late as 30 minutes before boarding) contribute to a stressful experience, making short international transfers difficult and potentially leading to missed flights.

Overall, Istanbul Airport offers a visually impressive and well-equipped environment. However, travelers should be prepared for its vast scale, the potential for long walks, and consider bringing their own refreshments to avoid the high prices. For connections, allowing ample layover time is strongly advised.