İstanbul Airport
Also known as: IST Airport, Istanbul New Airport, İstanbul Havalimanı, Istanbul International Airport.
Private transfer from ISTSee pricesSee pricesAbout İstanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport (IST) is the main international airport of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European side of the city near the Black Sea coast. It handled about 84.5 million passengers in 2025, making it one of the busiest airports in Europe.
Turkish Airlines uses IST as its main hub, with flights to cities across Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. More than 100 other airlines serve the airport, including British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways.
All passengers use one terminal under a single roof, with concourse G for domestic flights and concourses A, B, D and F for international flights. The airport is about 46 km from Sultanahmet, around an hour by road, and the M11 metro line links it with Gayrettepe and Halkalı. It should not be confused with Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side of the city, or with Atatürk Airport, which closed to scheduled passenger flights in 2019.
Travelers head on to the old city around Sultanahmet, Taksim and Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş and the business district around Levent, and across the Bosphorus to Kadıköy.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
IGA Istanbul Airport (İGA Havalimanı İşletmesi)
- Passengers per year
About 84.5 million in 2025
- Runways
Five: three main and two backup
- Main airline
Turkish Airlines hub
- Opened
Full passenger operations since 6 April 2019
Arrival tips for İstanbul Airport
Expect long walks from the gate, as the terminal is very large. On an international flight you pass passport control and then customs after baggage claim; many nationalities can enter Turkey visa-free for short stays, while others need an e-Visa from evisa.gov.tr before departure.
After collecting your bags, you exit into the public arrivals hall. Pre-booked drivers wait with name signs along the barrier outside the customs exit; domestic passengers use a different exit, so tell your driver how you are arriving.
Official taxis are at the arrivals-floor exit gates 9 and 13 in three classes: orange, turquoise and black, the last two seating up to eight. Havaist and IETT buses leave from Level -2, and the M11 metro station is about 250 m from the terminal through a walkway. Use the official taxi rank rather than accepting rides from people approaching you in the hall.
Istanbul has hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters. Turkey uses UTC+3 all year with no daylight saving, and the currency is the Turkish lira (TRY).
Ground transportation
The M11 metro is the quickest public option into the city, while a taxi or private transfer suits travelers with heavy luggage or late arrivals.
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Book a transfer from ISTTaxi from Istanbul Airport
Metered taxis run 24 hours from the arrivals-floor exit gates 9 and 13, in orange, turquoise and black classes. The drive to Sultanahmet, about 46 km, takes around 50 to 60 minutes, more in heavy traffic, and bridge and road tolls are added to the meter.
M11 metro
The station sits about a 10-minute walk from arrivals. Trains reach Gayrettepe in about 25 minutes, where you change to the M2 for Taksim, and the line also runs west to Halkalı. You need an Istanbulkart, and the trip involves carrying bags through transfers.
Havaist airport bus
Havaist runs 11 lines from Level -2 to districts including Taksim, Beşiktaş and Sultanahmet. Buses to Taksim and Sultanahmet take about 75 minutes and get stuck in the same traffic as cars.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to your hotel. It is the easiest choice for families, groups and late-night arrivals, but it must be arranged before you land.
Taxi apps
Uber and BiTaksi work in Istanbul, but mainly as apps for booking licensed taxis rather than private cars. Fares follow the taxi meter, so the main benefit is booking and payment through the app.
Terminals
Main Terminal
Handles all passenger flights under one roof. Concourse G serves domestic flights, and concourses A, B, D and F serve international flights.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aegean Airlines, Air France, Air Transat, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Istanbul Airport from the city center?
Istanbul Airport is about 46 km from Sultanahmet, the historic center. The drive takes around 50 to 60 minutes and can take longer in heavy traffic. By public transport, the M11 metro and a change to the M2 reach Taksim in about 45 minutes and the old city in a little under an hour.
Is Istanbul Airport the same as Sabiha Gökçen or Atatürk?
No. Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side, north of the city near the Black Sea coast. Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) is a separate airport on the Asian side. Atatürk Airport closed to scheduled passenger flights in April 2019, when those flights moved to Istanbul Airport.
How many terminals does Istanbul Airport have?
Istanbul Airport has one passenger terminal under a single roof for both domestic and international flights. Concourse G handles domestic flights, while concourses A, B, D and F handle international flights. The building is very large, so allow time for long walks between the gate, passport control and the exit.
Which airlines fly from Istanbul Airport?
Turkish Airlines uses Istanbul Airport as its main hub, with flights across Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. More than 100 other airlines also fly here, including Air France, British Airways, Emirates, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. All of them use the same terminal.
Where are the taxis at Istanbul Airport?
Taxis wait 24 hours a day at the arrivals-floor exit gates 9 and 13. There are three classes: orange standard taxis, turquoise taxis and black luxury taxis, with the turquoise and black ones seating up to eight passengers. All use the meter, and bridge and road tolls are paid on top of the fare.
How do I take the metro from Istanbul Airport?
The M11 metro station is about 250 m from the terminal, a roughly 10-minute walk from arrivals through a walkway. Trains run east to Gayrettepe in about 25 minutes, where you change to the M2 for Taksim, and west toward Halkalı. You need an Istanbulkart to pay the fare.
Is there an airport bus from Istanbul Airport?
Yes. Havaist runs 11 bus lines between the airport and the city, and IETT runs another five. Both leave from Level -2, the transport floor. Havaist buses to Taksim and to Sultanahmet take about 75 minutes, depending on traffic, and you pay with an Istanbulkart.
Can I use Uber at Istanbul Airport?
Uber works in Istanbul, but mainly as a way to book licensed taxis rather than private cars, so you will usually be matched with a regular taxi. The local app BiTaksi works the same way and is available in English. Fares follow the regulated taxi meter.
Do I need a visa to fly into Istanbul?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and many European countries can visit Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Others, including Mexican citizens, can apply online for an e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival.
How do I get from Istanbul Airport to Sultanahmet?
Sultanahmet is about 46 km away. A taxi or private transfer takes around 50 to 60 minutes. Havaist bus HVİST-12 runs toward Beyazıt and Sultanahmet in about 75 minutes. By metro, take the M11 to Gayrettepe and the M2 toward the old city, a trip of a little under an hour with changes.
What time zone and currency does Istanbul use?
Istanbul uses Turkey Time, UTC+3, all year round, as Turkey does not observe daylight saving time. The currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Summers in Istanbul are hot and humid, and winters are cool and wet, with occasional snow, so pack for rain outside the summer months.
Who operates Istanbul Airport and how busy is it?
Istanbul Airport is operated by IGA Istanbul Airport (İGA Havalimanı İşletmesi). It handled about 84.5 million passengers in 2025, which ranked it eighth in the world and second in Europe by passenger traffic that year. It has five runways and began full passenger operations in April 2019.