Istanbul Airports Guide (Detailed). There are 4 International Airports in Istanbul. Istanbul's Airports are Istanbul New Airport (Airport Code IST), Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Airport Code SAW), Ataturk Airport and Hezarfen Airport. Ataturk Airport is no longer operating for passenger transporting and Hezarfen Airport is mostly used for private flights and training flights.

We will inform about 2 of the main Airports in Istanbul in this post. New Airport of Istanbul (IGA) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

Istanbul New Airport (IST)

Biggest one of Istanbul airports is the New Airport of Istanbul and it's is the largest airport in the world. It serves to 90 million passengers as of 2020. When it's fully completed, it's planned to serve 200 million passengers per year.

Duty Free Shopping in Istanbul New Airport

There many different kind of show that serves to any kind of budget at the Istanbul's new airport.

Here are some brands;

Louis Vuitton, Bazaar, Bisse, Mavi, Mont Blanc, Bvlgari (Serves at both of Istanbul Airports), Michael Kors, Rayban, Vakko, LCW, Hermes, Swarovksy ( both of Istanbul Airports) and many more.

Where to Stay at Istanbul Airport

There is a hotel ( YOTEL Istanbul Airport ) with 451 rooms in total and 277 of those rooms are on the land side, which means it can be booked by anyone. Other 174 rooms are located on the airside (YOTELAIR) and it can be reserved for passengers who fly international or arrived at international hall.

Vip Lounge at Istanbul Airport

IGA Lounge is the only VIP Lounge that serves at Istanbul New Airport at the moment. You can check our Istanbul Airport Lounges and Prices page to get full information.

Restaurants at Istanbul Airport

There are many well know fast food restraurants at the new airport of Istanbul where you can eat before the flight.

Here are the Landside restaurants at Istanbul airport where anybody can sit and eat;

Turcuisine
Seferi
Popeyes (Serves at both of Istanbul Airports)
Burger King
Gloria Jean's Coffees (Serves at both of Istanbul Airports)
Mvnch
Sbarro

Airside Restaurants at Istanbul Airport where only international passengers can eat are;

Burger King (Serves at both of Istanbul Airports)
Yo! Sushi
Carl's Jr
Efes Kiosk (Serves at both of Istanbul Airports)
Gloria Jean's Coffees
Popeyes
Tickerdaze - Sports Pub
Sbarro
Brewmark - Pub
Simit Sarayı (Serves at both of Istanbul Airports)
Starbucks
Choc'nette
Crousty Co
Gourmet - Gram
Gourmet - Vivanda Burger
Gourmet - Pizzeria Enzo
Jackie's
Mood Up
Refresh
Sincerely Yogurt

Baggage Deposit at Istanbul Airport

There are 2 Buggage Deposit areas on the arrival halls and there are electronic luggage lockers on international departure hall at Istanbul New airport.

Public Transportation at Istanbul Airport

Please go ahead and check our Where to Buy Istanbulkart at Istanbul's New Airport Guide to get full information about public transportation options in Istanbul airport. You will also find detailed guide about Havaist Airport Bus service.

Driving from Istanbul New Airport to Center

Distances to most important points of Istanbul is like this;

Sultanahmet Center - 44 km
Taksim Center - 40 km
Maslak - 35 km
Levent - 36 km
Gayrettepe - 38 km
Uskudar - 47 km
Kadikoy - 52 km
Kavacik - 42 km
Pendik - 73 km

Taxi at Istanbul Airport

Taxis are 24/7 hours available and they work with taximeters. As long as you take the airport taxis (Havalimani Taksi), you are safe and you can feel free to get one without hesitation. Make sure you get the taxi plate number in case you forget something or if you feel like being scammed.

Istanbul Airport Taxi prices are about 200 Turkish Liras (depends on the traffic and toll-ways) until Sultanahmet or until Taksim Square.

Istanbul Airport Shuttles (Shared or Private)

If you are on a budget but also have a limited time, you might want to use shared or private shuttles to reach at your hotel. It will be much easier and faster to use airport shuttles in Istanbul airport. They are usually offering door to door service and the drivers know all the hotel address in Istanbul.

Shared Shuttle prices are usually 15 euros per person.

If you want hassle free airport transfer and If you want your car to be ready at the airport once you arrive, Kiwi Transfer Company will make it very easy for you. You can chose any car according your budget and needs.

You can also click here and check daily arrival and departure list at Istanbul's New Airport official website.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)

Sabiha Gokcen Airport is relatively much smaller comparing to the new airport of Istanbul. However there is a big advantage of being small. Most of the Domestic flights take off from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. You can check in 45 minutes before the flights.

Budget friendly domestic Airliners such as Pegasus and Anadolu Jet fly to Cappadocia, Izmir,Antalya, Bodrum and to the rest of the Turkey from Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

All of the Pobeda (Russian Budget ), Rolay Air Maroc, and some of the Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait flights are landing on this airport.

And you can pass from the passport control in Sabiha Gokcen in about 30-45 minutes, even on the most crowded days.

Duty Free Shopping in Istanbul New Airport

Duty free in Sabiha Gokcen Airport is run by a company called SETUR. It cover 4500 sqm on the both international departure and arrival halls.

Here are some of the brands ; Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna, Dior, Prada, French Connection, Emporio Armani, Gucci, Lacoste, Tissot, Misaki, Mont Blanc, Nike, Marc Ecko, Tag Heuer, Omega, Swarovski, Ray Ban, Swatch, Tommy Hilfiger...

Where to Stay at Sabiha Gokcen Airport

There is a hotel ( ISG Airport Hotel ) in Sabiha Gokcen Airport. It serves with it's 128 rooms to all airline crew, transit and international passengers.

Vip Lounge At Sabiha Gokcen Airport

There are 3 Lounges at Sabiha Gokcen Airport; ISG CIP Lounge, Lounge Istanbul International and Turkish Airlines Lounge. Here is our Istanbul Airport Lounges and Prices page link again.

Sleeping Cabins at Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Comparing to Istanbul Airport Sleeping Cabins, Sleeping Cabin Area at Sabiha Gokcen area is much more comfortable and giving more for what you pay. Kepler resting services area is more like a small size of room rather than a sleeping cabin.

It has work desk, tv with Netflix and of course with bed sheets & Pillows. Locker rooms (luggage size) and shower & toilets are in common area but pretty clean and luxurious. You can check the prices here.

Restaurants at Istanbul Airport

Starbucks (serves at both of the Istanbul airports), Burger King, Popeyes, Mc Donalds, Sbarro, Subway, KFC, Efes Pub, are some of the restaurants at Sabiha Gokcen Airport. You can reach at the full list here.

Baggage Deposit at Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Buggage Deposit at Sabiha Gokcen Airport in at the international Terminal. It's available 24/7 and they charge daily depending on the size of the luggage.

Public Transportation at Istanbul Airport

Sabiha Gokcen Airport is located 50 kms away from Sultanahmet and 40 km s from Kadikoy center.

You can get on public bus with number E11 in order to reach at Kadikoy (Asian Side) and use Public ferry to cross the sea to Eminonu or Karakoy (European Side).

You can use Havabus Shuttles (Budget Friendly Private Bus) until Kadikoy or Taksim Center.

Driving from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Center

Distances from Sabiha Gokcen to some central areas are;

Taksim center - 50 km
Sultanahmet Center - 50 km
Kadikoy - 40 km
Pendik - 12 km

Taxi at Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Taxis are 24/7 hours available and they work with taximeters. You should take only the airport taxis (SAW Havalimani Taksi)if you want trouble-free journey until your hotel in Istanbul. Make sure you get the taxi plate number before you get in.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport Taxi prices are about 220 Turkish Liras (depends on the traffic and toll-ways) until Sultanahmet or until Taksim Square.

Sabiha Gokcen Airport Shuttles (Shared or Private)

As we informed you previously, it's much convenient way comparing to other transportation options. Door to door serviced airport shuttle drives can recognize your hotel address and take you there directly, so you won't be losing time in public transportation, especially if you have limited time.

You can arrange a private pick up service from international and trusted companies like kiwitaxi.com.

You can check airport transfer prices by clicking on this link here or click on the Banner on the Side bar of this website.

You can get on one of the shared shuttles which costs 15 euros per person until your hotel door.

Or you can prefer Istanbul luxury transfer from Istanbul airports with www.istanbulluxurytransfer.com

Istanbul Ataturk Airport

Oldest one of the Istanbul airports. Ataturk Airport's capacity is no longer enough for yearly visitors. It's operating only for the Cargo Services now. All the flights and companies moved to Istanbul's new airport in 2019.