# IST — Istanbul Airport > Machine-readable reference for IST. Single-airport scope. Re-fetch when content_generated_at changes. Canonical: https://airport.flights/airport/ist HTML page: https://airport.flights/airport/ist Markdown alt: https://airport.flights/airport/ist.md JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/IST.json (includes live arrivals + weather) Sitemap: https://airport.flights/sitemap-airports.xml Last refreshed: 2026-06-04T21:08:09.189+00:00 --- ## Identity - Name: Istanbul Airport - IATA: IST - ICAO: LTFM - City: Istanbul - Country: TR (TR) - Timezone: Europe/Istanbul - Distance from city: 35 km (22 mi) northwest of central Istanbul - Runways: 4 - Terminals: 1 - Annual passengers: 64.3M - Worldwide rank: #7 - Hub for: Turkish Airlines - Official website: https://www.istairport.com/ ## Overview Welcome Istanbul Airport feels less like a compact transfer hub and more like a sprawling megamall built around the rigors of long-haul flying. Frequent travelers often cite the expansive layout and distant control points as potential time sinks. With a passenger volume hitting 64.3 million per year, this Main terminal is crammed with dozens of branded stores and restaurants. However, this abundance also means knowing exactly which entrance or post-security zone to target can make all the difference. At a glance Located 35 km (22 miles) northwest of central Istanbul, Istanbul Airport (IST) serves as a major hub for Turkish Airlines. The single Main terminal hosts a broad selection of major airlines like Lufthansa and Emirates. Despite its conveniences, travelers note the facility's sheer size creates longer transit times between key areas, so plan accordingly. Terminals & layout The airport's Main terminal is notable for its sprawling layout, consisting of multiple concourses that cater predominantly to international flights. This non-compact structure means longer walks, with some gates located quite far from the main concourse. Critical amenities such as the Turkish Airlines Busi… ## Terminals (1) - **Istanbul Airport Passenger Terminal** — airlines: Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/terminals/main ## Dining (20) - **Alaçatı Muhallebicisi** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/alacat-muhallebicisi - **Balkan Lokantası** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/balkan-lokantas - **BigChefs** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/bigchefs - **BİSİ** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/bisi - **Brewmark Pub** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/brewmark-pub - **Burger King** — $ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/burger-king - **Caffe Nero** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/caffe-nero - **Crispy Chicken** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/crispy-chicken - **Hacı Sayid** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/hac-sayid - **HD İskender** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/hd-iskender - **Kahve Dünyası** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/kahve-dunyas - **KFC** — $ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/kfc - **Mado** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/mado - **McDonald's** — $ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/mcdonald-s - **Pidem** — $ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/pidem - **Sbarro** — $ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/sbarro - **Shake Shack** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/shake-shack - **Simit Sarayı** — $ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/simit-saray - **Starbucks** — $$ URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/starbucks - **The Greenport** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/restaurants/the-greenport ## Lounges (8) - **IGA Lounge** — International · access: Pay at door · day pass: €115 · 24 hours URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/lounges/iga-lounge - **Primeclass Lounge** — access: Priority Pass URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/lounges/primeclass-lounge - **SkyTeam Lounge** — access: Eligible passengers URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/lounges/skyteam-lounge - **Turkish Airlines Business Lounge** — International · access: International · 24 hours URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/lounges/turkish-airlines-business-lounge - **Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge** — access: International URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/lounges/turkish-airlines-cip-lounge - **Turkish Airlines Domestic Lounge** — Domestic · access: Domestic URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/lounges/turkish-airlines-domestic-lounge - **Turkish Airlines Elite Lounge** — access: International URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/lounges/turkish-airlines-elite-lounge - **Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Lounge** — International · access: International · 24 hours URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/lounges/turkish-airlines-miles-smiles-lounge ## Shops (15) - **Apple Premium Reseller** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/apple-premium-reseller - **Bvlgari** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/bvlgari - **D&R** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/d-r - **Dufry** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/dufry - **Lacoste** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/lacoste - **MAC Cosmetics** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/mac-cosmetics - **Montblanc** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/montblanc - **PANDORA** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/pandora - **Sabon** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/sabon - **Safa Group Duty Free** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/safa-group-duty-free - **Samsung** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/samsung - **Swarovski** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/swarovski - **The Body Shop** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/the-body-shop - **Victoria's Secret** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/victoria-s-secret - **Victorinox** URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/shops/victorinox ## Parking (5) - **Economy Parking** — Parking URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/parking/economy-parking - **EV Charging Parking** — Parking URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/parking/ev-charging-parking - **Long-Term Parking** — Parking URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/parking/long-term-parking - **Short-Term Parking** — Parking URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/parking/short-term-parking - **Valet Parking** — Valet URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/parking/valet-parking ## Ground transport (8) - **HAVABUS to city center** — Bus · : not applicable; past reference · : not applicable; past reference · : not relevant URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/transport/havabus-to-city-center - **Havaist** — Bus · ≈50-75 min IST–Taksim depending on traffic, based on Reddit user timing and Istanbul airport transport guides.[https://www.reddit.com/r/istanbul/comments/dg5v9y/getting_from_new_istanbul_airport_to_city/] · ≈₺67-74 to central Istanbul (about $2-3 at recent exchange rates) one-way on main routes, according to multiple traveller reports summarizing Havaist pricing bands.[https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/etb6g4/istanbul_airport_transport_options/] · Reported as roughly every 20-30 min on core routes during the day with longer gaps late at night, according to traveller accounts benchmarking against the published timetable.[https://www.reddit.com/r/istanbul/comments/dg5v9y/getting_from_new_istanbul_airport_to_city/] URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/transport/havaist - **IETT Airport Bus** — Bus · Commonly reported as 60-90 min from IST to central districts depending on route and traffic, based on Reddit user experience.[https://www.reddit.com/r/istanbul/comments/dg5v9y/getting_from_new_istanbul_airport_to_city/] · Standard IETT fare via Istanbulkart (on the order of normal city bus pricing, mentioned by locals as the “cheapest option” compared with Havaist and taxis, i.e. roughly under ₺30).[https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/comments/bgw1pz/istanbul_airport_bus_into_city/] · Described by travellers as generally every 20-30 min in the day, with longer gaps late at night.[https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/comments/bgw1pz/istanbul_airport_bus_into_city/] URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/transport/iett-airport-bus - **Intercity coach connections** — Coach · a long layover... may be required · : "not true from-the-terminal departures" · Reddit posts describe intercity coaches as running multiple times per day on main corridors (e.g., evening and night buses to Ankara, Bursa, etc.), but not at a turn-up-and-go urban frequency.[https://www.reddit.com/r/istanbul/comments/hzoghu/intercity_buses_from_new_airport/] URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/transport/intercity-coach-connections - **Metro to Istanbul Airport** — Rail · Reddit users report roughly 30-35 minutes for the M11 segment itself, and around 60+ minutes total when including transfers to historic districts.[https://www.reddit.com/r/istanbul/comments/10m9nws/new_metro_line_to_istanbul_airport/] · Standard metro fare via Istanbulkart (mentioned in r/istanbul as part of the regular urban rail fare system rather than a premium airport surcharge, typically in the low tens of lira).[https://www.reddit.com/r/istanbul/comments/10m9nws/new_metro_line_to_istanbul_airport/] · Posts describe trains running about every 10-15 minutes during the day on the M11 airport line.[https://www.reddit.com/r/istanbul/comments/10m9nws/new_metro_line_to_istanbul_airport/] URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/transport/metro-to-istanbul-airport - **Private Transfer** — Car · wait until several passengers arrive before leaving · FlyerTalk reports the airport-managed meet & greet fast-track service at 99 euros per person; hotel private transfers discussed in the same thread are roughly double the ₺200-250 taxi fare for a central hotel.[https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe/1955797-istanbul-new-airport-ist-isl-master-thread-19.html] · : "several passengers arrive before leaving" URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/transport/private-transfer - **Taksi** — Taxi · FlyerTalk users staying at central hotels report around 30 minutes during light traffic, and up to 45-60 minutes in heavier conditions.[https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-world-hyatt/133565-grand-hyatt-istanbul-review-master-thread-15-printerfriendly.html] · FlyerTalk reports taxis from IST to central hotels running around ₺200–250 plus tolls, with a suggested ceiling of about ₺300 (≈€15 at the time of posting).[https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe/1955797-istanbul-new-airport-ist-isl-master-thread-19.html] · On-demand; taxis queue 24/7 at official ranks outside arrivals, according to multiple traveller reports.[https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe/1955797-istanbul-new-airport-ist-isl-master-thread-19.html] URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/transport/taksi - **Uber** — Rideshare · : adds 10-15 minutes to what looks like a quick request · price differences... are small · On-demand availability varies; Reddit users describe typical waits around 5-15 minutes when drivers accept rides from IST.[https://www.reddit.com/r/istanbul/comments/cni4ng/is_uber_available_in_istanbul/] URL: https://airport.flights/airport/ist/transport/uber ## Insider tips - _Insider_: Need some downtime during an overnight layover? The airside hotel can save you from clearing landside formalities just to catch some sleep in the Main terminal. - _Time_: Build extra walking time into your plans; the distances at IST can surprise even seasoned travelers. - _Local_: For a quality drink, Brewmark Pub, just after security, is highlighted for draft beer. - _Money_: The IETT Airport Bus is the cheapest transit option, costing less than ₺30 with an Istanbulkart. - _Avoid_: Turkey’s largest airport is not the place for tight connections; long internal distances make that perilous. - _Quiet_: If avoiding crowds at passport control is key, steer clear of Entrance 2, the busiest according to airport wayfinding tools. - _Insider_: Enjoy one of the airport's better wine selections at The Greenport, opposite duty-free. --- ## Live data Live arrivals, departures, and weather are not in this static reference. Fetch: - https://airport.flights/api/airport/IST.json — JSON with current live boards + weather (12h cache) - https://airport.flights/airport/ist/arrivals — HTML page with live arrivals - https://airport.flights/airport/ist/departures — HTML page with live departures