Transfer at Istanbul Airport
Thanks to Turkish Airlines, Istanbul Airport is one of the largest connecting points in the world.
There is only one huge terminal in operation, divided into international and domestic sections:
- Gates A, B, C, D, E, F - international flights
- Gaty G - domestic flights
Book a hotel near Istanbul Airport
One large central hall with 15 sections of check-in counters is used for passenger check-in. Upon entering the departure hall, the international check-in counters are on the left, while the domestic ones are on the far right.
There are only two large security checkpoints leading from the departure hall to the transit area: one for all international flights and one for all domestic flights within Turkey.
Airport map
A clear interactive map of the terminal highlighting all available services is available on the airport's website: istairport.com/airport-map.
Transfer between flights
Despite the size of the terminal, transferring in Istanbul is very straightforward.
You don't need to take any automated trains from building to building, just follow the very clear signage within the single large terminal.
The downside to connecting in Istanbul is the lack of seating and the departure gate not being displayed until about 75 minutes before departure. This forces passengers to spend time in a large central area with dozens of shops and restaurants.
For official transfer information at Istanbul Airport, visit the airport's website: istairport.com/transfer-passenger-guide.
Any transfer time that the airline will sell you in one booking is sufficient.
The realistic time from getting off the plane to reaching the departure gate of the connecting flight is between 20 and 50 minutes.
If you would like to connect through Istanbul Airport on your own with two separate tickets, allow at least 3.5 hours.
Security and passport control
There is no passport control for international transfers, but in some cases you will go through security.
You will not go through security for international transfers if you are arriving from a destination in certain European countries and if you already have a boarding pass for a connecting flight. In this case, you will head straight from the aircraft through a special transfer corridor to the departure gate area.
When transferring from an international flight to a flight within Turkey or vice versa, you will go through security and passport control.
Baggage on transfer
Transfer baggage is automatically transferred to the next flight and you don't have to worry about it.
If you combine your transfer on your own by purchasing two unrelated tickets, you must collect and re-check your baggage.
Sightseeing in Istanbul on transfer
Turkish Airlines, the largest airline operating at the airport , offers free sightseeing tours of Istanbul for passengers on its connecting flights.
Those interested in this service should contact the "Tour Istanbul" desk at the airport, which is located near the transfer desk still in the transit control, but also in the public area of the arrivals hall. Passengers must fulfil several conditions:
- The applicant must be travelling on international routes with a change in Istanbul, which must be on one ticket, for example Prague - Istanbul - Hong Kong.
- The transfer must be no longer than 24 hours.
- Tour times range from 2.5 to 6 hours
- All information can be found on the website: istanbulinhours.com
Free hotel on transfer
If you are flying with Turkish Airlines and have a long layover at Istanbul Airport, you may be entitled to free accommodation in some cases.
Please visit the Turkish Airlines page for detailed conditions.
Any questions left?
If you have any questions or comments about the article...
10 comments
Hello, we are flying Vienna - Istanbul - Zanzibar with Turkish, do I check-in online 24 hours before departure or do I have to physically go to check-in when we will only have hand luggage? And check-in is done automatically for both flights when it's on the same ticket? Thank you very much.
Hello, you can check in online - it should be for both flights. You can then go straight to security at the airport.
Thank you very much.
Hello. I have tickets for Vilnius Istanbul Houston do I need to check in 24 hours in advance or will it be done at Vilnius airport and I will get a boarding pass for both Istanbul and Houston there?
I have a ticket Antalya Istambul Prague. I am wondering if I have to go through passport control when connecting Istambul Prague or if I can go straight to the gate. Thanks for the answer
You already got the answer here: https://www.cestujlevne.com/blog...na-letisti
Even in this guide you're asking under, you have a link to the official airport transfer guide (with video tutorials too!).
I have a flight from Marseille to Bangkok with a stopover in Istanbul on a single ticket (Marseille-Istanbul on Turkish Airline and Istanbul-Bangkok on Thaï Airways). For the transfer in Istanbul, I have to go to the Thaï Airways counter to pick up the boarding pass, or is this given to me on departure (Maseille)?
You will most likely get your boarding pass in Marseille.
Duly noted,
Thank you for your prompt reply
what happens if my first flight is too late, then it is impossible to join my connection which is on the same ticket (2 international flights)?
You will be rebooked free of charge on the next available flight. If this flight is not until the next day, you will also receive free hotel and meals.
I have a flight with Emirates from Dubai EK123 arriving @ 14:25. Next flight with Aegean A3993 departure @ 15:50. Booked on separate tickets. No check in baggage. Seems like will be able to do web check in with Aegean and get boarding pass. Is it enough time 1:25 hrs for this transfer?
As long as you have an Aegean boarding pass and your first Emirates flight is not delayed, time will be sufficient.
Thank you very much. Diky.
Salve, vado con un gruppo ad Dubai e sono persone anziane, come che ho il trasferimento su aeroporto di Istanbul, come posso prendere una navetta ( macchina) per portarci da una gate ad altra
Hello
On 14 September I have a flight to URGENCH departing from GENEVA with a stopover in ISTANBUL.
Departure from GENEVA with flight TK1920 arriving at 23:25 and connecting flight TK262 departing at 0:20 on 15 September.
I normally have 1h55mn transfer time if there are no delays
How much time do I need between leaving the plane and the boarding gate for the second flight (usually which boarding gate)?
For the transfer, do I have to go through security and passport control again?
Hello, you will not go through security or passport control during this transfer. The realistic transfer time is around 20-30 minutes from the time you get off the plane.
I have a reservation Bucharest Otopeni Bucharest-Antalya Ayt and I have a stopover in Istanbul 1.25 minutes and on the ticket I have two flights My question is, the second flight departs from international or Domestic? Thank you
Antalya is in Turkey, so the Istanbul - Antalya flight departs from the domestic part of the terminal: you will already go through passport control when you connect in Istanbul.
Hello,
I'm flying Prague Istanbul Tunis on one ticket with Turkish. I have only 1.15 transfer time in Istanbul. Is that enough, or is it enough to transfer my luggage? Thank you