Istanbul Airport Departures

Istanbul International Airport

IST Airport is a new and modern aviation hub listed among Europe’s and the world’s busiest airports. It serves more than 130 destinations in over 120 countries. Thus, flights arrive at and depart from Istanbul Airport to more than 45 domestic cities and 277 international destinations. As a result, the airport experiences ever-increasing passenger traffic, which often leads to congestion. It opened in 2018, taking over the flights previously operated by Atatürk Airport, which has since ceased operations. It even inherited Atatürk’s IATA code. Today, Istanbul IST Airport is the leading airport in Turkey, serving the Istanbul area along with Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

Istanbul Airport Terminal

Istanbul Airport has only one terminal building. The single-terminal airport houses both Arrivals and Departures for domestic and international flights in the same facility. Arrivals are located on the Ground floor and Level 1, while Departures are on Level 2. The upper floor houses lounges, several dining options, the Istanbul Airport Museum, and various offices and services. Despite its modern and inspiring design and technologically advanced services, IST airport terminal features a main downside: it features only one security checkpoint for domestic passengers and one for international travelers. Consequently, security screening can often be time-consuming. Moreover, the terminal is vast, requiring long walks from the check-in area to the five piers housing the boarding gates, especially the most distant ones.

Airlines Present at Istanbul Airport

How Early to Arrive at the Airport

Istanbul Airport is a busy airport. Therefore, the official advice for IST passengers is to arrive early for the flight to enjoy a stress-free travel experience, even during crowded times and long queues. A 3-hour time frame before departure should be sufficient for travelers flying to international destinations. On the other hand, passengers traveling on domestic flights should arrive at Istanbul Airport about 2 hours before departure.

Our Tip:  Istanbul is notorious for traffic congestion. Therefore, if you’re heading to the airport by a traffic-dependent mode of transport (car, taxi, private transfer, or bus), you should allow plenty of time for your journey. While a car ride from Istanbul to IST Airport takes around 40–50 minutes during non-rush hours, it can be up to 90 minutes in heavy traffic. Expectantly, bus journeys are even more time-consuming.

Istanbul Airport Departure Guide

The departure procedures at Istanbul Airport are slightly different. While check-in is usually the first step for departing passengers, the initial process here is the terminal entrance security checkpoint. All passengers (domestic and international), as well as non-travelers entering the building, must pass through security before accessing the terminal. They are scanned via metal detectors, and their personal items and baggage are also screened.

Once passing through the terminal entrance control, passengers can check in for their flight. Istanbul International Airport houses 15 check-in counters (B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, and S). Counters B to F are the closest to the domestic security checkpoint, located on the east part of the terminal, near Entrance Gates 1 and 2. The closest-to-international-passport-control counters are G to M. You can easily find your airline’s check-in desk by checking the information screens or the airport’s app. You can use the counters to issue your boarding pass and drop off your luggage. Alternatively, you can use the self-service desks to choose your seat inside the aircraft and print your boarding pass. However, the service isn’t available for all airlines. Last but not least, most airlines offer online check-in. It is the most convenient option, as you can check in for your flight up to 24 to 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure and save time at the airport. If you don’t have checked luggage and have checked in online, you can proceed directly to the domestic control area or international passport control once you enter the terminal.

Are you a Turkish citizen? You must pay a small departure fee when checking in. The fee may be included in your ticket price, but this isn’t always the case. Therefore, you might have to pay it on site.

The next step to access the airside part of the terminal depends on your destination. Is your flight domestic? You’ll proceed to the domestic control checkpoint, where you and your hand luggage and personal belongings (jacket, handbags, etc.) will be re-screened. Once you pass through this control, you enter the post-security zone of the IST terminal and can explore its facilities and services before reaching your gate.

On the other hand, if your destination is international, you’ll go through passport control after the check-in procedure. You’ll need to present your passport and boarding pass. Other documents may also be required depending on your journey’s end (visa, vaccination certificates, etc.). Turkish passengers with biometric passports can use e-passport points to save time during the procedure. As soon as you complete the process, you’ll go through security screening before entering the airside zone.

The first thing to do once you reach the post-security area is to locate your departing gate. You’ll find information monitors scattered throughout the terminal, displaying the boarding gate for each flight. You can also check it via the airport’s website or app. In general, Piers A, B, D, and F serve international flights, whereas Pier G and 3 of Pier F’s boarding zones are dedicated to domestic flights. Make sure to check your departure gate, as walking distances around the IST terminal can be considerable. Moreover, Istanbul Airport is a quiet airport, so no announcements are typically made. However, departing gates can change frequently. Therefore, you should keep an eye on the flight information screens and check for updates. When the boarding gate opens, you’ll present your passport or ID and your boarding pass and be directed to the aircraft.

Our Tip: Istanbul Airport features screens displaying the estimated waiting times for terminal entrance control, domestic security, and passport control. You can also find live information on average waiting times through the airport’s website and app.

Make the Most of Your Time Before Departure

There are numerous things to do while waiting for your flight at IST Airport. Naturally, the vast majority of services and amenities are located airside. Hence, once you go through security screening and/or passport control (depending on your destination), you can explore the countless dining options, from fancy restaurants to fast-food chains, bars, and cozy cafes, alongside a wide variety of retail shops. Additionally, there are play areas for children, spa and beauty facilities, and art galleries. The Istanbul Airport Museum can be found on the upper level. Several lounges are located inside the airside zone, providing luxurious services. Do you want to relax or take a quick nap before your upcoming flight? You’ll find nap zones, as well as an airside hotel, YOTEL Istanbul Airport.

Our Tip: The IST terminal is vast. Make sure you allow enough time to reach your boarding gate while exploring the airport, to avoid rushing through the terminal or even missing your flight.

Ways to Reach Istanbul Airport

Deciding how to get to Istanbul Airport is crucial when planning your journey. As mentioned, traffic jams are common, so you should take this into account when determining how early to arrive at the airport. Overall, you can opt for a taxi journey, or if money isn’t a problem, book a private airport transfer. A car ride from Istanbul to IST Airport lasts around 40-50 minutes under normal conditions. Alternatively, you can catch a bus to get to the airport. If roads aren’t congested, you’ll arrive at IST after a 90-minute journey. Lastly, metro rides aren’t affected by traffic. However, there is no direct metro line linking the city center to the airport. Changing lines can add hassle to your journey. Still, even with a transfer, it takes approximately 66 minutes to reach IST Airport, regardless of traffic conditions.

The Parking Options

Istanbul International Airport offers five multi-level car parks as well as open parking lots, providing a total of 40,000 parking spaces and fully catering to passengers’ needs. If you arrive with your own vehicle and need to park it, you can choose between the covered car parks and the open facilities, which are, expectantly, less expensive. The Red, Blue, and Yellow Car Parks are located closer to International Departures, while the Turquoise and Purple facilities are recommended for passengers with domestic flights. Bookings through the airport app come with a 10% discount. Valet services are also provided.

Do you want to drop off travelers at Istanbul Airport? There are no designated waiting areas. You can stop outside the Departures area, but only to drop them off. Alternatively, you can use the open parking lots, where the first 15 minutes are free of charge.

Changes in Flight Schedules

Our flight status schedule can keep you informed about every change at Istanbul airport departures. Is your flight delayed? Stay updated on the new scheduled departure and make your way to the airport stress-free. You can search for delays using the flight number, the airline, the departure time, or the destination.

Additionally, the airport has flight information screens throughout the terminal, while passengers needing more assistance can go to the Information Counters located near Entrance Gates 2 and 5. Finally, you can contact the airport at +90 444 1 442 (call center). Useful information on the flight schedule is also available through the airport app.

FAQs

How early should I arrive at Istanbul Airport for an international flight?

Istanbul Airport is a busy air hub. If you’re flying to an international destination, you should arrive at the airport approximately 3 hours before your flight’s departure to complete the departure procedures worry-free. Keep in mind that traffic levels are usually high around Istanbul, so plan your journey to IST Airport carefully.

How many departure terminals are in Istanbul Airport?

Istanbul Airport has only one terminal building. Arrivals are on the first level and ground floor, while Departures are located on Level 2. The upper level of the IST terminal houses lounges, dining facilities, offices, airport services, and the Istanbul Airport Museum.

How long does it take to get through security at Istanbul Airport?

There are two types of security control at Istanbul Airport: one at the terminal entrance, for both passengers and non-travelers, and another to access the airside part of the terminal. There are information screens displaying the average waiting time at both areas. Overall, passengers take around 15 minutes to go through the terminal entrance control and about half an hour to pass through security screening after checking in (domestic passengers) or passport control (international travelers). Still, the duration of the process depends heavily on passenger traffic and can be significantly longer.