Istanbul International Airport, Turkey’s aviation gem and one of the world’s largest and busiest airports, features a vast terminal building. The enormous terminal often gets chaotic, especially during peak airport hours. Do you have plenty of time before check-in? Why drag your luggage around when you can safely store it at the airport’s facilities? Planning to leave the airport during your layover? Got a meeting to attend? No matter the reason, using Istanbul airport’s luggage storage areas often proves to be one of the handiest choices.
Istanbul Airport Luggage Storage Facilities
Have you decided to store your baggage at Istanbul Airport? Do you have an upcoming flight, or have you just landed and need to leave your luggage? In both cases, IST Airport has you covered. With storage options at both Arrivals and Departures, you can conveniently store your belongings hassle-free. No previous bookings can be made, meaning that services are subject to availability. That being said, overall, you can generally find available lockers or left luggage space. In detail, here are your options:
Left Luggage Offices
Located opposite Exit 13 and next to Meeting Point 4, the Left Luggage Offices of Istanbul Airport provide baggage storage services at the airport’s Arrivals area. They can be found at the domestic part of the terminal and operate around the clock. Thus, you don’t have to worry about accessing your luggage at any hour.
Do you travel with lots or heavy bags? Keep in mind that luggage carts aren’t typically available near the luggage storage offices. Therefore, you should grab a cart before heading to the facility to retrieve your baggage.
Luggage Lockers
Looking to store your bags in the Departures level? You’ll find storage options there as well. While there isn’t a left luggage office available on that level, you can use the luggage lockers. There are two facilities, situated near Gates 1 and 6, respectively. You can safely store your baggage there regardless of the time of day. Lockers are available 24/7. Once you place your bags in the locker, you’ll be given a unique code to unlock it when needed.
My Tip: Although Istanbul airport’s luggage storage services are efficient and generally ensure the safety of your belongings, it’s not advised to leave valuables, easily spoiled items, or important documents (like passports) inside the stored luggage just to be on the safe side. Moreover, avoid packing restricted and dangerous items, such as firearms, explosives, and sharp objects.
The Luggage Storage Fees
In general terms, you can pay in cash for your storage fees or use a bank card. You may be asked to pay in advance for the chosen storage period. Fares vary depending on the size of the bags.
Have you stored your luggage at the Left Luggage Offices or the Luggage Lockers? Here’s what you’ll pay if you store your bags for 24 hours:
- Small bags (such as duty-free bags): 150₺ (3.10€/3.63$)*
- Medium bags (such as carry-ons): 200₺ (4.15€/4.85$)
- Large bags (up to the maximum checked luggage size): 400₺ (8.30€/9.70$)
- XL bags (such as TVs, bicycles, etc.): 500₺ (10.37€/12.12$)
- XXL bags: 630₺ (13.05€/15.26$)
*Prices are per piece of luggage.
Note that XXL bags cannot be stored in the luggage lockers. However, XL items, such as surfboards, can fit in one of the large lockers.
The Airside Luggage Lockers
While the Left Luggage Offices and storage lockers are located landside, iGA Left Luggage Services are designated for passengers who have passed through security and want to enjoy the unique IST shopping experience or relax before their upcoming flight without carrying hand luggage. Thus, if you want to store your personal items, carry-ons, or even coats airside, at the post-security area of Istanbul Airport, you’ll need to use the iGA storage services. The office can be found at the international departures, right behind the stairs to the iGA Lounge. It is open around the clock and charges the following fares per piece of baggage:
- Small luggage: 150₺ (3.10€/3.63$)
- Medium luggage: 200₺ (4.15€/4.85$)
- Large luggage: 400₺ (8.30€/9.70$)
- XL luggage: 500₺ (10.37€/12.12$)
- XXL luggage: 630₺ (13.05€/15.26$)
Hence, iGA luggage storage fares are the same as those at the landside facilities. Please note that fares include VAT.