The new airport was built about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of the city, on the European side of Istanbul. It was built mainly due to the lack of space for further expansion of the existing Atatürk Airport. The ageing airport is overloaded, so it has ceased to meet the needs and ambitions of the rapidly growing Turkish Airlines.
The grand opening of the airport coincided with the celebrations of the 95th anniversary of Türkiye becoming a Republic. The airport was opened on October 29, 2018. Its official name – confirmed on an opening day by President Erdogan – is “Istanbul New Airport”. However, the full launch of the airport and its final expansion were spread over time for 10 years.
In phase one (October-December’18) of the New Airport, there were launched two operational runways and two local airlines. By December 2018 both airports (“New Airport” and Atatürk Airport) will operate simultaneously. At the end of 2018, the third operational runway will be opened there. At the same time, the currently operating Atatürk Airport will be closed. At this point, the new airport will have the world’s largest single-roofed terminal, with an area of 15 million square feet. It is also estimated to have a capacity of 90 million passengers per year. It will officially complete phase one of the construction works.
Istanbul New Airport. Next stages of the expansion
In the following stages of the airport development, among others, there will be road infrastructure built: two metro lines, a motorway and a rapid train. The railway line will connect Istanbul New Airport with the Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Anatolian side of the city.
By 2028, the new airport is going to operate with 6 runways and its annual capacity is estimated at 200 million passengers. Is it possible? As a comparison – in 2017 the Atatürk Airport reached the result of 64 million passengers. The current largest airport in the world – Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, in 2017 had 104 million passengers passing through its terminal. It seems, therefore, that plans for the development of the new airport in Istanbul are very ambitious. The New Airport will occupy an area of approximately 76 thousand square kilometres, which (as a comparison) will be larger than the area of Manhattan Island (56 km2).
When the new airport is completed – it will be the largest one in the world with an unimaginable network of connections to over 300 destinations.
Architecture and ecology
The new airport’s terminal was built in a style reminiscent of traditional Istanbul’s domed mosques and baths. The shape of the air traffic control tower, which is inspired by the tulip flower, also deserves recognition. The tulip is one of the most recognizable traditional symbols of Istanbul. The name of the flower is derived from the Turkish word “tulbent” meaning turban. During the Ottoman Empire, the tulip was a symbol of the sultan’s power. The air traffic control tower project won first prize in the “Future projects – Infrastructure” category at the 2016 World Architecture Festival in Berlin.
The Istanbul New Airport calls itself a “green” airport, thanks to the possibilities of recycling and the use of rainwater. However, it is worth remembering that the construction of the airport was accompanied by massive deforestation. In this case – the question, of whether the balance in nature will be kept, is still unanswered.
When the New Airport has been partially opened in November’18, heavy construction works were still happening inside. What was open for travellers, was still an empty area. Most stores remained closed, and there was only a small duty-free shop open. For a more convenient airport experience, passengers had to wait a few more weeks.
The new airport is now open!
The New Istanbul Airport’s official opening happened in April 2019. A few weeks after the opening it looked as below.
Several proposals have already appeared on the market regarding airport pickup. Below you can find the latest offer I found. It seems to be very attractive in price, that’s why I’m writing about it. You may be interested in this transport option.
Guide to the IST airport terminal
The national airline – Turkish Airlines has prepared a new information leaflet for their passengers. We can find out what the new Istanbul Airport layout looks like on the level of arrivals and departures. It’s worth checking it up front.
At the Departure level, there are several entrances to the airport, which are intended for various types of passengers. For example, two gates are the closest to the domestic Turkish Airlines’ gates. There are also gates suggested to be used by international flight passengers and other gates for VIP clients or business class passengers.
On the Arrival level, there are, among others: bus stops, parking lots, taxi and tourist information points. Beware: the airport car park is free of charge until the 15th of April!
A more detailed map of the New Istanbul Airport can be found as well on the New IST Airport website.
How to get to IST Airport – public transport
Currently (end of 2018), there are not many possibilities. The new airport can be reached by car via a highway or by bus. Bus connections are served by city lines (yellow buses) and by private lines (white buses).
City buses (line H-2, H-3 and IST-7) will take passengers to:
- H-2 Mecidiyeköy, business district
- H-3 Halikali. There is an easternmost railway station in Istanbul, serving the international routes i.e. to Bucharest, Sofia and Belgrade
- IST-7 runs between the Istanbul New Airport and the current Atatürk Airport
Private buses will drive to:
- IST-1 Yenikapi in Fatih district, on the European side of the Bosphorus. Over the Golden Horn Bay, there is a transfer port and the Marmaray Train station
- IST -2 Tuyap, where the Congress Center is located
- IST-7 residential area of Kozyatagi on the Anatolian side of the city
- IST-19 -Taksim Square in the European part of the Istanbul
The current estimated journey time from Istanbul New Airport to the city centre will take us about 60-90 minutes with low traffic jams. Unfortunately, during rush hours it can take you even more than 120 minutes.
Taxi from the New Airport to the Istanbul city centre can cost you about 200 TL (38 $).
How to get to IST Airport – private offer
Here are a few possibilities to travel from the airport. Click any link below and you can buy all the below tickets with a 5% discount!
Shuttle Bus
From and to IST Airport. Shuttle service is available daily FROM 6:00 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. HAVAIST Online Ticket is an electronic ticket for an airport shuttle bus. Buses leave the airport every 30 minutes.
The price of a one-way ticket is 5,48$.
HAVAIST Bus Online Ticket [From and To IST Airport]*
- Don’t wait in line, get the HAVAIST Bus ticket online
- Comfortable journey in luxury buses departing every 45 minutes
- Free WiFi, unlimited luggage, free e-booklet and 10% off on tours & tickets
There are several routes in the offer. There are also several stops on each route, so you can get off or get on each of them.
Line HVIST-12 to BEYAZIT SQUARE – Sultanahmet (Former line IST-20)
Transfer time: 100 minutes and 6 Stops
- ISTANBUL AIRPORT
- NURTEPE-VIADUCT
- AYVANSARAY
- ULUBATLI
- AKSARAY
- BEYAZIT SQUARE
Line HVIST-14 to Taksim SQUARE
Transfer time: 90 minutes and 5 Stops
- ISTANBUL AIRPORT
- 4. LEVENT
- ZINCIRLIKUYU METROBUS STATION
- BESIKTAS PIER
- TAKSIM SQUARE
Line HVIST-9 to KADIKOY – METRO & PIER – Asian Side
Transfer time: 100 minutes and 4 Stops
- ISTANBUL AIRPORT
- KAVACIK BRIDGE
- TEPEÜSTÜ
- YENISAHRA
- ACIBADEM METRO
- KADIKOY METRO & PIER
Private transfers
Private Transfer New Istanbul Airport [IST] to Hotel or Airport*
[IST] to Hotel or Airport
- Istanbul Airport private transfer from 6,50 Euro per person
- Price is valid for all transfers to hotels on the European Side
- Service available 24/7
- Carefree journey, with no hidden costs, nobody beats our price!
- The price of a one-way ticket is 51,52$,
Shared Transfer Shuttle
Istanbul Airport [IST] Shared Transfer Shuttle*
Price from 16,44 $
- The convenient way to get to your hotel for a fair price
- The shared shuttle transfer is departing every hour
- Relax in the comfortable minibus and enjoy door-to-door service
- Unlimited luggage
Türkiye e-VISA
Are you travelling to Türkiye and do you need a visa to enter this country? What if you do not have enough time to apply for it or you do not know where to start the process?
I can recommend you a good company, that will take care of your application form and assist you in processing this document. You will pay the visa cost plus 30$ service fee. Click on the banner below and check the offer.
The Türkiye e-Visa is a travel authorization document that can be applied online and is available to nationalities of over 100 countries. It is valid for tourism and short business trips and is valid for 180 days after arrival.
Depending on how fast you want to receive your visa, the prices will change. The Standard Processing speed is 24 hours. Choosing this option costs 80$. Additionally, there are 2 faster options: Rush Processing (4 hours), for 102$ and Super Rush Processing (30 minutes) for 118 $. All prices include the government visa fee of 60$.
Türkiye – my other posts
I also encourage you to read my other posts about Istanbul, Cappadocia and Türkiye:
- Istanbul and Cappadocia – tailor-made travel plan
- Cappadocia – a land of the beautiful horses
- Istanbul – how to get to the main attractions
- Istanbul – secrets of the City
- Istanbul – an idea for sightseeing
- Türkiye photos
*links to the offer from iVisa and IstanbulWelcomeCard are affiliate