Istanbul International Airport Review: Facilities, Services, and More

Welcome to Istanbul, where you'll find not one, but two airports: Istanbul International Airport Havalimanı on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side. This review focuses on the Istanbul International Airport - Havalimanı, so get ready for the chaos of Europe's biggest airport. 

Now, I won't lie, my first time here was a bit of a whirlwind. I mean, I was on my way to Thailand, and suddenly found myself in this sea of people, all racing to their next destination. Panic mode: activated. But, I've got your back with all the insider tips to navigate this labyrinth of an airport like a pro.

Arrival & transfer at Istanbul International Airport 

If you're going to a place outside Europe, you might have a stopover at this airport. It's well-organized, with signs all around to guide you. Once you land there, just look for the signs that say "International transfer".

Depending on which gate you arrive at and where you need to go next, you might find yourself strolling for about 15 to 20 minutes to reach your next spot. So, make sure you give yourself at least two hours for your transfer to avoid any last-minute stress.

And oh, one more thing: get ready for a round of security checks. But hey, it's all part of the adventure, right? So, keep calm, follow the signs, and you'll breeze through Istanbul Airport like a total pro.

There are screens all over the place keeping you in the loop. Your gate usually pops up about 1.5 hours before takeoff, but since this airport's buzzing with flights going to the same spots all day long, it's always a good idea to double-check your flight number on the screens. 

Shops & food

Once you're through security, get ready for a whole bunch of shops – Duty-Free, fancy brands, and even a Waikiki store. Plus, there are bookstores, making it feel like a small shopping mall.

And the food! Whether you're craving a fresh pastry, a juicy burger from McDonald's or Burger King, some authentic Turkish cuisine, a cheesy pizza, or even a taste of SaltBae's restaurant, they've got you covered.

Just a heads up though – expect airport prices. We paid 18 euros for two water bottles and two cappuccinos. So, lesson learned! Since then, I've been traveling with a reusable folding bottle because there are many water refill stations throughout the airport.     

Smoking area

Not to encourage smoking – we all know it's not a good habit. But I'll admit, it's the first thing I search for at every airport. So, for smokers, at Istanbul International Airport there are smoking areas; just follow the signs saying "Terrace".

Wifi

You can get one hour of free Wi-Fi using your passport. There's a machine (check the picture below) where you can get a paper with your sign-in code. Here's a tip: since the Wi-Fi code works on different devices, if you're traveling with someone, get one code first. Then, after the hour is up, the other person can get another code. Pretty handy, right? Ha-ha, when you have an 8-hour layover at this airport, you'll discover a lot of cool stuff!

Lounges

Depending on your credit card perks, you might get access to airport lounges. But remember, you might have to pay extra if you bring someone with you, and usually, you can only stay for up to three hours.

In Macedonia, if you have a Visa Platinum from Halkbank, you can go to lounges twice for free per year. There might be other banks that offer this too, but I'm not sure. Also, Diners gives lounge access if you have their Style credit card (which costs 5€ per month) and you can go to lounges eight times a year for free.

And if you have a Revolut card, you might get lounge access too, depending on your plan. With the basic plan, you'll have to pay 34€ for lounge access, but with the Premium and Metal plans, it's cheaper, at 24€.      

Take a rest at the airport

Feeling tired from all that traveling? Look for the "Napzone" spots to take a quick break – it's a great chance to relax and charge up your gadgets. It's too bad not every airport has them. You can read, sleep, watch Netflix, or do whatever makes you happy.

You can also find Sleepods at the airport. They're like private resting spaces that look like capsules. It costs 15€ for an hour, and you can buy pillows and blankets if you need them. I haven't tried it because it seems a bit tight in there.

Oh, and there's also a hotel in the airport called Yotel. It's perfect if you have a long layover and don't want to leave the airport. But hold on, the most exciting part is coming up – how to explore Istanbul for free and even get a free hotel? Keep reading, my dear traveler!      

Tour of Istanbul

If you have some extra time and travel with Turkish Airlines, Turkish Airlines gives free tours of Istanbul. They include transportation, guides, and food. Check their website for tour times.

Turkish Airlines has a special program called “Stopover in Istanbul.” If you’re flying Economy Class, you can spend one night in a 4-star hotel for free. And if you’re flying Business Class, you get to stay for two nights in a 5-star hotel, also for free. To qualify, you need to have a layover of at least 20 hours. Just make sure to check out their rules before you sign up!

If you want to go around Istanbul on your own, the airport is about 50 kilometers away from the city. It takes around 1 hour by car or 2 hours by public transport. If you want to see the main tourist spots, you’ll need to take two buses or a bus and a metro.

I hope you’ve got everything you need for your trip to Istanbul International Airport. Wherever you’re going, have a safe flight, and enjoy your journey!

Truly yours,

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