Istanbul Airport Arrival Alerts
Get a text when their flight lands at Istanbul Airport.
Get a text when they land at ISTAirport Code
IST
Passengers/Year
76 million
Terminals
Main Terminal
Exit Time
25-40 minutes after landing
About
Arriving at Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport opened in 2019, replacing the old Ataturk Airport. It is one of the largest airport terminals in the world and it feels like it. Walking distances inside the terminal are significant. From your gate to immigration can take 10-15 minutes of walking alone, so factor that into your exit time estimates.
This is Turkish Airlines' mega hub, and the carrier operates an enormous connecting network here. Many passengers are transiting through to other destinations. For terminating passengers, immigration takes 25-40 minutes from landing. E-visa holders should have their documents ready, as Turkish border control checks them carefully.
The airport is located on the European side of Istanbul, about 35km northwest of the city centre. Getting to and from the airport takes time. The Havaist bus service runs to various districts including Taksim, Kadikoy, and others. Journey time varies from 60-90 minutes depending on destination and traffic. A metro line is under construction. Taxis are available but expensive and traffic-dependent.
UK to Istanbul is 3.5-4 hours. Flights are frequent, with Turkish Airlines and British Airways both running multiple daily services from London. Istanbul is 3 hours ahead of the UK (2 during British Summer Time).
The old Ataturk Airport (ISL) no longer operates commercial flights. If someone references "Ataturk," they mean the new Istanbul Airport. All commercial traffic moved there in April 2019.
Pickup tip
Havaist bus to various city districts. The airport is far from the city centre, so plan for travel time.
How it works
Track IST arrivals.
Enter the flight number
Type the flight number for the arrival to IST.
Add your phone number
Enter the mobile number where you want to receive the alert.
Get a text when they land
We track the flight and text you when they touch down at Istanbul Airport.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
How do I know when a flight lands at Istanbul?
Enter the flight number into SkyText. You'll receive a text when the flight lands.
How far is Istanbul Airport from the city centre?
About 35km northwest. Havaist bus takes 60-90 minutes. A metro line is under construction.
Is Istanbul Airport the same as Ataturk Airport?
No. Istanbul Airport replaced Ataturk in 2019. All commercial flights now use the new airport (IST).
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Aviation lover who built SkyText because families deserve to know when someone lands safely. Has tracked more flights than he'd like to admit.