How to transit at Istanbul international airport is certainly valuable information for those of you who are not used to traveling alone. The difference in language and atmosphere is clearly a distinct nuance when you travel to another country. As one of the largest international airports, you may step your foot at Istanbul someday. Don’t you worry, this guide exists to help you out.
Landing at Istanbul International Airport
When you land, you will generally be directed out from the plane. Follow the sign “international transfer”.
Follow the path that has been determined. If your flight transfer time is short, there will be an attendant waiting for you with a special sign.
The officer will call out the name of the flight. Usually this happens because the flight is about to depart/boarding has begun.
If you have trouble getting a flight with the proper transit time, pay attention to the officers. The fastest time require for transit at Istanbul airport is 45 minutes.
This applies to Turkish Airline international connections. Most flights to the Europe could take at least 1 hour 30-minute transit, but there are also flights that take 1 hour for transit window. Compared to other global hubs of this size, you should know the transit window time. If you are traveling with baby, or children under 5 years of age, best bet is to take 4 hours transit time at Istanbul airport.
International Transfer
De-board the airplane you are morelikely taking an escalator to go to the upper level. You can walk to enter the arrival terminal. Remember to follow the sign “transfer” as you direction. In a terminal you may find the sign as “transfer” or in local language called “Gelen Yolcu”.
Don’t get tricked by the sign. For example, the sign above, you must follow the blue sign.
At this point you are more likely taking another escalator to go to the lower level (don’t forget to follow the sign). Elevator also available yet the wait time is longer.
Furthermore, you may see the sign of passport control and some crowd getting in the line (on the right side of you path). Don’t get confused, you should not join the line and keep follow the sign “transfer”.
The correct location should be in red color with the sign “international transfer” (remember to check if yours are domestic / international).
Transfer desk is available on the left side of your path (near the international transfer entrance gate).
After you pass the “transfer gate” now it is the best time to check you departure gate (in case you are not know it yet). Don’t worry, screen with flight information is available at the right spot to help you update with your upcoming flight detail.
Follow the path and you will reach boarding area for international departure (duty free shop located here).
Basically you have passed all the important step to complete a transit at Istanbul international airport.
Yet, wait … how about domestic transfer?
Domestic Transfer
Understanding how to transit at Istanbul international airport will not complete without knowing how to transfer from international arrival to domestic departure. So, here is how …
The path is similar with the international transfer. What makes the difference is that you need to enter the “passport control” entrance gate to reach domestic departure gates.
Passport control entrance gate is right before the “international transfer” entrance gate.
The color sign for passport control entrance is blue. Make sure you have a proper visa when you are going to take the path from international arrival to domestic transfer.
That is how to transit at Istanbul international airport. Flying solo using Turkish Airline should not worry you.
Bookmark How to Transit at Istanbul International Airport
Remember the steps to transit at Istanbul International Airport:
International transfer
- exit the plane,
- walk,
- arrival terminal,
- follow the “international transfer” sign,
- enter the “international transfer” entrance for security check, and
- find your gate through the screen provided or through the information desk.
- Reach international departure terminal
Domestic transfer
- exit the plane,
- walk,
- arrival terminal,
- follow the “passport control” sign,
- enter the “passport control” entrance
- find your gate through the screen provided or through the information desk.
- Reach domestic departure terminal
