İstanbul Airport (IST)
Arnavutköy, Istanbul, TR 🇹🇷 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
LTFM
IATA
IST
Elevation
325 ft
Region
TR-34
Local Time
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GPS Code: LTFM
Local Code: Not available
Location: 41.261297° N, 28.741951° E
Continent: Europe
Type: Large International Airport
About İstanbul Airport
Updated: Jan 1, 2026Istanbul Airport (IST/LTFM) serves as the primary international gateway to Istanbul and is a significant global hub connecting flights between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its official opening took place on October 29, 2018, Turkey's Republic Day, with a full operational transfer from the former Atatürk Airport completed in April 2019. This transition marked a new era for aviation in the region, with the airport designed for large-scale operations and high passenger capacity, reflecting Istanbul's strategic position.
The airport is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of Istanbul, approximately 40-50 kilometers northwest of central tourist and business districts such as Sultanahmet and Taksim. Travelers have several options for reaching the city. The most common methods include the Havaist airport shuttle buses, which offer comfortable and direct routes to numerous key locations. Taxis and pre-booked private transfers are also readily available. For a connection to the city's public transit system, the M11 metro line links the airport to the Kağıthane station, providing a rapid transfer that avoids potential road congestion.
As the main base for Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier, Istanbul Airport accommodates a vast number of international and domestic flights from airlines around the world. It consistently ranks among the busiest airports globally by passenger volume, handling over 76 million passengers in 2023. All passenger services are housed within a single, expansive terminal building. This facility offers a wide array of amenities, including extensive duty-free shopping, diverse food courts with local and international cuisine, numerous cafes, airline and third-party passenger lounges, and a YOTELAIR hotel with both airside and landside access.
Travelers using Istanbul Airport should account for its considerable size. It is recommended to arrive at least three hours before an international departure and two hours for domestic flights to navigate check-in, security procedures, and the long distances to some departure gates. For passengers with connecting flights, a minimum transit time of 90 minutes is advisable to ensure a smooth transfer. The Havaist bus service is a reliable option for reaching specific city neighborhoods, while the M11 metro is often the fastest way to connect to the wider urban rail network. Free Wi-Fi is accessible within the terminal for a limited time upon registration.
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Recent traveler reviews for İstanbul Airport (IST) indicate a mixed but generally negative sentiment, with many travelers expressing frustration despite acknowledging the airport's modern appearance. While some praise its cleanliness and overall design, numerous common complaints significantly impact traveler satisfaction.
What Travelers Love
- Modern and Visually Impressive Terminal: The airport is often described as stunning, new, and modern, with high vaulted ceilings and spacious areas.
- Cleanliness: Many travelers appreciate the cleanliness of the terminal, including restrooms, seating, and floors.
- Comprehensive Duty-Free Shopping: The airport features a large and well-designed duty-free area with a wide variety of shops, akin to a high-end mall.
- Good WiFi (initially): Some reviews mention good WiFi connectivity, at least for the initial free period.
- Effective Metro Connection: The Metro Line M11 connects the airport to Kagithane Station near the city center and is described as an easy and affordable transportation option.
Common Complaints
- Excessive Walking Distances: A predominant complaint is the immense size of the terminal, leading to extremely long and often exhausting walks between gates, to baggage claim, and to passport control, with insufficient moving walkways.
- Exorbitant Prices: Food, beverages, and other services within the airport are consistently reported as "ridiculously high," "insane," and "extortionist," with water being particularly expensive.
- Unhelpful and Rude Staff: Numerous travelers report negative interactions with airport personnel, describing them as unhelpful, dismissive, arrogant, slow, and often having poor English language skills.
- Confusing Navigation and Signage: Despite its modernity, some travelers find the airport's signage unclear and struggle with navigation, leading to missed flights or added stress.
- Multiple and Disorganized Security Checks: Passengers frequently encounter multiple security checks, including an initial scan to enter the airport and further checks before passport control and at the gate, which can be disorganized and time-consuming. Passport control queues can also be long, potentially taking 30-45 minutes from landing.
- Limited Free WiFi: While available, free Wi-Fi is often limited to one hour, with subsequent access requiring payment at high rates.
Overall, while Istanbul Airport is praised for its impressive architecture and cleanliness, the consistently high prices, extensive walking distances, and perceived poor customer service significantly detract from the traveler experience, often leading to stress and dissatisfaction. Travelers are advised to allow ample time for connections and be prepared for high costs.
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Airport Routes
İstanbul Airport (IST) offers 425 flight routes operated by 10 airlines. Major carriers include Turkish Airlines, Libyan Wings, Lufthansa and others. Popular destinations from Arnavutköy, Istanbul include Mitiga Int'l, Imam Khomeini Int'l, Tashkent International, Tashkent and Athens Int'l, Eleftherios Venizelos.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- Mitiga Int'l (MJI) 7
- Imam Khomeini Int'l (IKA) 5
- Tashkent International (TAS) 4
- Tashkent (TAS) 4
- Athens Int'l, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) 4
- King Khalid Int'l (RUH) 4
- King Abdulaziz Int'l (JED) 4
- Adler-Sochi Int'l (AER) 4
- Belgrade Nikola Tesla Int'l (BEG) 3
- Baghdad Int'l (BGW) 3
- Erbil Int'l (EBL) 3
- Almaty (ALA) 3
Newly Discovered
- Mohammed V Int'l (CMN) new
- London Gatwick (LGW) new
- Ankara Esenboğa Havalimanı Int'l (ESB) new
- Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) (ASB) new
- Çukurova (COV) new
- Queen Alia Int'l (AMM) new
- Chatrapati Shivaji Int'l (BOM) new
- Nursultan Nazarbayev Int'l (NQZ) new
- Imam Khomeini Int'l (IKA) new
- Baghdad Int'l (BGW) new
- Almaty (ALA) new
- Malpensa Int'l (MXP) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top Airlines
Operating at İstanbul AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Turkish Airlines
THY
/ TK
|
263 | 3621 | 263 | Feb 5, 2026 |
|
Libyan Wings
LWA
/ YL
|
1 | 112 | 1 | Jan 17, 2026 |
Lufthansa
DLH
/ LH
|
2 | 72 | 2 | Feb 3, 2026 |
Air Algerie
DAH
/ AH
|
4 | 62 | 4 | Feb 2, 2026 |
Egypt Air
MSR
/ MS
|
1 | 59 | 1 | Jan 27, 2026 |
Aeroflot
AFL
/ SU
|
3 | 58 | 3 | Jan 14, 2026 |
Saudia
SVA
/ SV
|
4 | 55 | 4 | Feb 5, 2026 |
|
Air Astana
KZR
/ KC
|
3 | 53 | 3 | Feb 5, 2026 |
|
Mahan Air
IRM
/ W5
|
1 | 47 | 1 | Dec 31, 2025 |
Transavia France
TVF
/ TO
|
4 | 44 | 4 | Feb 4, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
16L/34R |
12303 ft | 147 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
16R/34L |
12303 ft | 196 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
17L/35R |
13451 ft | 196 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
17R/35L |
13451 ft | 147 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
18/36 |
10039 ft | 148 ft | CON | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance | Istanbul Clearance Delivery | 127.1 MHz |
| GROUND | Istanbul Ground | 121.75 MHz |
| TOWER | Istanbul Tower | 131.1 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Official taxis are available 24/7 at designated ranks outside the arrivals and departures levels. Three categories exist: standard orange (C-type), comfortable turquoise (D-type), and premium black (E-type). Fares are metered, and most accept cash and credit cards. Always use official taxis from the queue to ensure fair pricing.
Rental Cars
A wide range of international and local car rental companies have offices located in the arrivals hall. Major brands like Sixt, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and Garenta are present. It is highly recommended to book your vehicle in advance online for better rates and guaranteed availability.
Public Transportation
Istanbul Airport is well-connected by public transport.
- Metro: The M11 metro line provides the fastest link to the city's subway system, connecting to the M2 line at Gayrettepe (for access to Taksim and Levent) and the M7 line at Kağıthane.
- HAVAİST Airport Shuttles: These are comfortable coach buses that run frequently to over 50 destinations across the city, including major hubs like Taksim, Beşiktaş, and Kadıköy.
- İETT Public Buses: These are standard, budget-friendly city buses that serve various local neighborhoods.
Payment for the Metro and İETT buses requires an Istanbulkart, while HAVAİST accepts Istanbulkart and credit cards.
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External Links & Resources
Official Resources
Public Transportation