Layover in Istanbul

Istanbul Airport has become one of the main transit hubs for Russians. While a flight to Dubai averages 5 hours and 30 minutes, Istanbul can be reached in 4-5 hours or even faster. Flights arrive at two local airports – Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), located in the Asian part of the city, and the newer, modern Istanbul Airport iGA (IST) in the European part. By the way, this is Turkish Airlines' main hub. In this article, we will focus specifically on it.

The new Istanbul Airport is one of the largest in the world. It is a major hub between Europe, Asia, and Africa, so no expense was spared on its area. As a result, passengers received one terminal for international and domestic flights and five runways (three main and two reserve). The terminal is divided into seven zones – A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Gate groups G are designated for domestic flights. The most convenient ones, C and E, are located between B, D, and F, respectively. The great thing is that the security check areas are on the same level as them. The Departure Hall occupies the upper floor of the building, the Arrival Hall is on the ground floor, and the Transportation floor is located below.

How to Plan Your Flight

When choosing flights with a layover in Istanbul, allow at least two hours between them to avoid missing anything. More is better, as this will also give you the opportunity to visit the city, and Istanbul itself is worth a separate trip. So don't be afraid of layovers of 10 hours or more: you'll be able to see the city's main attractions!

If you have tickets with a short connection (less than 90 minutes), Istanbul Airport has separate transfer points between arrival and departure zones – Short Connection Point (also known as Short Connection International). There are four of them in total, located in zones A, B, D, F. With these, the transfer to the furthest boarding gate will be reduced to 20-30 minutes. Add another 15 minutes for taxiing on the runway and disembarking the plane.

This method is only suitable for pure transit. If the connection is longer than 90 minutes, you might not be allowed into the Short Connection area.

Types of Layovers

To understand how a layover in Istanbul works, you first need to determine its type.

International to International Transfer: In this case, you don't need to leave the transit zone. If both flights are operated by the same airline and your luggage is checked through to the final destination, you don't need to collect it. If the airlines are different, you collect your suitcase and get an arrival stamp for Turkey.

Transfer to a Domestic Flight: Let's say you arrived in Istanbul and are then heading to Antalya. You will go through passport control, collect your luggage, and check in for your next flight.

Layover with City Exit: Available to visa holders and citizens of countries with which Turkey has visa-free agreements.

Documents Required for City Exit

Can you leave the airport in Istanbul during a layover? Yes! The airport website lists all necessary documents:

•       flight ticket, e-ticket, or boarding pass
•       passport/ID card
•       visa (if required)
•       travel insurance (if required)

Russian citizens do not need visas – hooray! So grab your belongings, your suitcase (if you don't have connecting flights), and go explore Istanbul.

How to Get from Istanbul Airport to the City Center

The airport is located 35 km from the center of Istanbul. You can get there in several ways.

Metro

300 meters from the New Istanbul Airport, opposite Exit 11, in front of the car park, is the İstanbul Havalimanı metro station. Trains run every 20 minutes. It takes only half an hour to get to Gayrettepe station on the M11 metro line. From there, you can transfer to the green M2 line to reach the city center. Or use the BRT Metrobus line (express bus) to get to the Asian part of Istanbul. It's that simple!

Operating hours:

•       Istanbul Havalimanı – Gayrettepe: 06:00 – 00:00
•       Gayrettepe – Istanbul Havalimanı: 06:00 – 00:40

To buy a metro ticket, you will need an Istanbulkart, which can be purchased from vending machines located on the -2 floor.

IETT Buses

Routes H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, H-8, and H-9 depart from Istanbul Airport. All of them are more suitable for locals, as they go to non-touristy areas.

Havaist Buses

They run between Istanbul Airport and numerous points located in both parts of the city. The stop is on the same transportation floor (-2). The most popular routes are:

• HViST-16: Istanbul Airport – Taksim Square, 90 minutes travel time, departs every 20-30 min.
• HViST-15: Istanbul Airport – Beşiktaş, 75 minutes, departs every 30-60 min.
• HViST-12: Istanbul Airport – Beyazıt Square, 90 minutes, departs every 20-25 min.
• HViST-13: Istanbul Airport – Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, 110 minutes, departs every 45-90 min.

The schedule can be viewed directly on the airport's website (it even has a Russian version!). And on the carrier's website, there is a fare calculator. Remember that cash payments are only accepted at payment points at the airport. But it's better to use the same Istanbulkart.

Taxi

Don't want to travel with other tourists? There are taxis for you, even three types. Here, color differentiation is included for trousers cars:

• orange 'C' type cars – basic fare
• turquoise 'D' type cars – +15% to the price and a higher level of comfort
• black 'E' type taxis – the highest degree of local luxury +70% to the price

All rates are available on the airport's website, but you will find out the final cost upon arrival, as bridge tolls, highway tolls, and so on will be added to the meter reading.

Car Rental

In the arrivals area, between the exits for international and domestic flights, there is a range of car rental desks. They operate 24/7.

What to Do During a Layover at the Airport

Stopover in Istanbul – a great chance to see something in the city in one day. The new Istanbul Airport recommends staying in the transit zone if the connection time between flights is less than 10 hours. It's logical, as there's plenty to do inside too.

Dining

The terminal is large, so there's plenty of space for various cafes, restaurants, and coffee shops. In the departure hall, you'll find Burger King, Carl’s Junior, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Subway.

If you are flying with Turkish Airlines and your transit time at Istanbul Airport is more than 5 hours, you can try to get a food voucher. To do this, go to the Care Point desk near the descent to gates F and G, show your ticket, and ask for a food voucher. You can then exchange it for a free meal at one of the restaurants specified in the instructions.

Rest

Istanbul Airport has five business lounges:

• iGA Lounge on the international departures floor
• iGA Domestic Lounge for domestic flights
• SkyTeam program premium lounge
• Turkish Airlines Business Lounge
• Turkish Airlines Domestic Flights Lounge

Each of them has its own terms of use; familiarize yourself with them carefully – what if you're flying business class with Korean Air? You'll be able to access the SkyTeam lounge.

For other passengers, there is a library, a museum, prayer rooms, and several spa centers. In the international departures area, there are showers, though they are paid: you can freshen up for 17.5 €, and if you didn't bring shampoo and other toiletries, you can buy a kit for another 7 €.

Overnight Layover in Istanbul

Arriving in the evening and departing only in the morning? No problem. The airport has a YOTEL hotel: 171 rooms in the public area and another 280 in the departures area. Prices start from 180 € per night. Expensive? Head to 'arm' D: here you'll find the Sleepod zone with 44 sleeping pods. The cost per hour starts from 12€, so we recommend falling asleep quickly! Still expensive? Then you need the free Napzone areas with lounge chairs. Six such zones are available throughout the terminal and are designed for 278 people. Here, earplugs or headphones will definitely come in handy, as well as other carry-on items that we've compiled into one list.