Clean, airy, modern - a pleasure (Istanbul Atatürk International Airport (IST))

Member Name: dbrierly

Product:	Istanbul Atatürk International Airport (IST)
Date:	16/05/08 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good duty free shops and refreshments, good security.

Disadvantages: Drops a star for Queue times for immigration when busy.

I have used Ataturk airport over 100 times on business, so am very familiar with it.

Firstly, it is spotlessly clean. When you compare with most of the UK airports, I often feel embarassed when I go through Ataturk as it just reminds me what an airport should look like!! It is mainly marble / glass / contemporary feel.

The first thing you need to know is on arrival you need a 90 Day Turkish Visa - these are £10 (for UK Citizens) and are obtained from the Visa desk located just next to the passport control if approaching from the left hand side (gates 201-215) make sure you get your visa FIRST - or you will queue twice (and the queue can be quite long -- 30+ mins in busy periods.

Once through passport control there are some duty free shops and 12 baggage reclaim belts - there are some screens just after passport control showing flight numbers and belts for your luggage. Baggage reclaim time is usually very efficient. The exit from baggage reclaim goes out into the concourse (with cash machines, exchange booths and car hire), which in turn leads out to the taxi rank.
Car hire desks are on the left hand side of the concourse area, as are a choice of exchange booths. I always get currency when in the airport as the rate is good, and it's quick - a lot easier and better rate than booking it in UK for example.
For first time travellers to Turkey - just get a cab - There are loads immediately outside the main entrance. There is a semi 'organised' system and somone outside may speak to you and get you into a taxi. It is a good idea to agree a price to get to the city areas. Currently about 50-60 Lire (£22-26) to the old town area on european side.

Going out of Ataturk (ie returning home), a top tip for busy periods is to enter via the ARRIVALS hall (floor 2) on the LEFT hand doors (right ones used for airport staff). As everyone is screened on entry - the queue is much less than the usual departures queueThen just go up a floor from arrivals when you get into the building - this is departures (floor 3). Escalators are at each end of the building.
Departures hall is well laid out with screens showing check in zone. There is a burger king (further upstairs again on the left end of building (looking airside) with other refreshments too in this area. After check in, go through passport control into a huge duty free area with well stocked shops and several refreshment shops. There is a foodcourt at the right hand end of this area with another Burger king, coffee outlets and mix of Turkish and European cuisine.
(Note electricals are not great value in Duty free, but spirits and cigarettes are. Duty free takes Cash, dollars and all major cards.
Departure gates are the other side ff duty free area (it's kind of like a one way flow)
Note - further security screening is done at the gate itself- so allow extra time!

If you are flying Turkish airlines, your boarding card will get you a free news paper - choice of english (US) and Turkish available. This is at a booth near gate 215 and also in the concourse opposite the greenport cafe. The gates them selves have OK seating, but best area to spend your time is the duty free and main refreshment area after passport control.
Having just flown back (again today), can also report that the airport is now 100% non smoking.

Summary: Modern, pleasant - not like heathrow!