Atatürk Airport was one of the busiest airports in Europe. Since 2013, it has ranked among the five busiest airports in Europe by passenger traffic. In 2017, the two Istanbul airports handled over 100 million passengers.
There are currently two airports in Istanbul. Ataturk (IST) at European side and SabihaGokcen (SAW) at Anatolian side.
The brand new Istanbul Airport (IST, IGA) is the main airport of the city. Located on the European side of Istanbul, in the Arnavutköy area, Istanbul Airport has undertaken all the passenger flights from Ataturk Airport which now provides only cargo and general aviation services.
It's often cited as the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Unfortunately, safety is Istanbul has been a concern in recent years. Though Istanbul is 900 miles away from all that turmoil, there is the ongoing threat of terrorist attacks. That said, Istanbul is pretty safe.
If you are an economy class traveller at Istanbul Airport (IST), you can access the following airport lounges as long as
you are willing to purchase a day pass, annual membership or pay at the door.
Istanbul Airport Lounges.
| Lounge Name | Location |
|---|
| IGA Lounge | Location: International Terminal, Airside, on the left after passport control |
Turkey - Level 4: Do Not Travel. Do not travel to Turkey due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution when traveling to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles (ten kilometers) of the Syrian border due to terrorism.
Turkish passport holders do not require a visa and may stay for up to 90 days. Turkish passport holders can apply online for an eVisa or a Visa on Arrival permitting them to stay for up to 90 days.
If you are registered in Turkey and reside in Turkey legally, you will be able to receive the vaccine free of charge through the Ministry of Health.
There is a threat of terrorism from domestic and international terrorist groups in Turkey. Many attacks have occurred throughout the country. Although most have occurred in the south and east, some also took place in major cities.
If you plan to remain in Turkey for a period of more than 90 days, you should either apply for a longer stay visa before you travel, or get a residence permit from the local authorities in Turkey before your 90 day stay has elapsed. You will need to apply for a visa from the Turkish Consulate General before you travel.
The Turkish government does not prohibit any nationalities from entering Turkey based on citizenship. From June 20, 2021, there is a ban on flights to Turkey from Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Nepal, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Being a pretty well-trodden tourist city, Istanbul is totally safe for families. There might some practical problems, it might be a bit stressful, but there's nothing to stop you from visiting with your family.
Yes, all visitors from the US must be in possession of a valid visa before they can enter Turkey. This online tourist visa allows travelers to enter Turkey for up to 90 days at a time and has a maximum validity of 180 days from its date of issue.
Istanbul Airport has installed 25 sleeping pods for passengers who want to rest before, after or between flights. The “iGA Sleepod'' service can be rented out on an hourly basis for the price of €6/hour between 7am and 7pm, and €9/hour between 7pm and 7am.
At its completion, scheduled for 2023, it will occupy nearly 77 square kilometres (19,000 acres) and serve up to 200 million travellers a year with its six runways. That's almost double the traffic at the world's currently biggest airport, Atlanta's Hartsfield- Jackson in the United States.
5 Most Beautiful (And Luxurious) Airports in the World
- Singapore Changi Airport. No list of beautiful airports is complete without mentioning the Singapore Changi Airport.
- Dubai International Airport.
- Incheon International Airport, South Korea.
- Lyon-Saint-Exupery Airport.
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport.
