Istanbul Airport (IST)
ICAO: LTFM
Live Flight Status
Istanbul Airport (IST) Arrivals & Departures — check real-time flight status, delays, gate changes, and baggage claim information for all domestic and international flights at IST.
Overview
Istanbul Airport (IATA: IST, ICAO: LTFM) is the primary international airport serving Istanbul, Turkey, and the busiest airport in Europe by passenger traffic. Located about 35 km northwest of central Istanbul on the European side, IST is the main global hub for Turkish Airlines (TK) and a key base for AJet (VF).
Opened in October 2018 to replace the aging Atatürk Airport (ISL), Istanbul Airport is one of the largest and most modern aviation hubs in the world. It operates a single, massive terminal building — the largest airport terminal in the world under one roof — which is designed for 90 million passengers annually and expandable toward 200 million at full build-out. The terminal is divided into five piers (A, B, C, D, and F) and features 143 boarding bridges, a 53,700-square-metre duty-free area, 181 retail stores, and 114 restaurants and cafes.
IST connects to over 322 destinations across more than 120 countries, served by 101 airlines. It is the physical engine of Turkish Airlines’ (TK) global strategy, positioned within a 3,000-mile radius of 60+ countries, allowing the carrier to connect more nations than any other airline. Popular long-haul routes include New York (JFK), London (LHR), Dubai (DXB), Tokyo (HND), Singapore (SIN), and São Paulo (GRU).
In 2024, Istanbul Airport handled 80.1 million passengers, and in 2025 this figure rose to 84 million, solidifying its position as Europe’s busiest airport. Since its opening in 2018, the airport has served over 317 million passengers and has been repeatedly recognized as one of the world’s best airports.
Popular Destinations from Istanbul Airport (IST)
Long-haul routes include New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), São Paulo (GRU), Buenos Aires (EZE), Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Tokyo (HND), Singapore (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG), and Bangkok (BKK). The airport connects over 322 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania, operated by more than 100 airlines including Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Cathay Pacific (CX), Korean Air (KE), and ANA (NH).
Terminals
Istanbul Airport operates a single, massive passenger terminal building — the largest airport terminal in the world under one roof. The terminal is designed for 90 million passengers annually and is expandable toward 200 million at full build-out. It is divided into five airside piers — A, B, C, D, and F — all connected within the same building.
The terminal features 143 boarding bridges, a 53,700-square-metre duty-free area, 181 retail stores, and 114 restaurants and cafes. Passengers can walk between most gates, though some piers require a short internal train or bus transfer. The terminal also includes multiple lounges, including the Turkish Airlines (TK) Lounge, a large food court, and a dedicated transit area for connecting passengers.
The airport has five runways and is Europe’s first airport to implement triple independent simultaneous operations, allowing it to handle more daily flights than any other European hub. A Metro line (M11) connects the airport directly to the city centre, and the airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The minimum connection time at IST is 45 minutes for domestic-to-international transfers and 60 minutes for international-to-international transfers within Turkish Airlines (TK). Passengers transferring between different piers should allow at least 30 minutes for the internal transfer.
| Terminal | Purpose | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Main Terminal (Piers A, B, C, D, F) | All international & domestic flights | Turkish Airlines (TK), AJet (VF), British Airways (BA), Lufthansa (LH), Air France (AF), KLM (KL), Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), Singapore Airlines (SQ) |
Transportation
Istanbul Airport is well connected to Istanbul city centre and the surrounding region through several transport options. The airport is located about 35 km northwest of central Istanbul on the European side.
M11 Metro Line
The M11 Metro line, opened in January 2023, connects Istanbul Airport directly to the city’s metro network. The line runs from the airport to Gayrettepe and Kağıthane, with connections to other metro lines and the Marmaray rail system. Trains run every 6–10 minutes from 06:00 to 00:00. The journey to Gayrettepe takes about 30 minutes. A single ticket costs approximately 46.20 TL. This is the fastest and most affordable option for reaching the city.
HAVAIST Shuttle Bus
HAVAIST operates a fleet of comfortable, air-conditioned shuttle buses connecting Istanbul Airport to various destinations in the city, including Taksim Square, Sultanahmet, and Kadıköy. Buses run every 20–30 minutes. Fares start from 470 TL. The Sultanahmet route is particularly convenient for passengers with luggage staying in the Old City.
Public Bus (IETT)
Istanbul’s public bus system, operated by İETT, provides affordable transportation to and from the airport. Several bus lines connect the airport to different parts of the city, including H1 (to Mahmutbey metro), H2 (to Mecidiyeköy), H3 (to Halkalı Marmaray), H6 (to Yunus Emre), and H8 (to Hacıosman metro). Fares are affordable and can be paid with an Istanbulkart.
Taxi
Official taxis are available 24/7 outside the Arrivals hall of the terminal. Taxis are metered, and fares vary depending on distance, traffic, and vehicle type. Turquoise taxis are approximately 15% more expensive than orange taxis, while black luxury taxis are about 70% more expensive. The journey to Taksim takes 45–60 minutes depending on traffic and costs approximately 500–700 TL.
Private Transfer
Book a driver in advance for a stress-free arrival. Prices start from $35 for a sedan, including meet & greet in the arrivals hall. Popular with families and business travellers.
Car Rental
Major international and local car rental companies operate at IST, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Enterprise. Pickup counters are located in the Arrivals hall of the terminal.
Car Rental at Istanbul Airport (IST)
Compare live rates from Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Enterprise. Pickup counters are located in the Arrivals hall of the terminal. Free cancellation on most bookings.
🚗 Search available cars →Hotels Near Istanbul Airport (IST)
Choose from 60+ hotels near Istanbul Airport — from budget options like Ibis and Hampton by Hilton to premium brands like the Yotel Istanbul Airport Hotel (inside the terminal) and the Crowne Plaza Istanbul Oryapark. Free airport shuttle available at most properties.
🏨 See nearby hotels →Istanbul Airport (IST) Map & Layout
Interactive map showing terminals, parking, taxi stands, ride-hailing pickup zones, and nearby landmarks.
Airport Information & Contacts
Tayakadın Mahallesi, Terminal Caddesi No:1
34283 Arnavutköy, İstanbul, Turkey