Istanbul Airport

Its supposed to be the world's largest terminal under one roof. Gorgeous terminal with really high ceilings and breathtaking design. But I find the furnishings don't fell like as high end as some other top international terminals out there.nnCons:nnThe world's biggest terminal, but there not a train system connecting any of the gates. You have to navigate through walking, not even a moving sidewalks.nnPros:nnDesign. Very modern.nAmenities, the BEST Food Court.nCustoms and Immigrations : Fast and Efficient.

Excellent airport. Processing is expedient for international transfers. Facility is clean. Many excellent stores and shops. Several food courts. Grand duty-free store. Waikiki offers designer clothing at fair prices. Overall a great experience. Only complaint is that most of the Turkish staff seem rather impatient, but I think they mean well.

The staff are very attentive and courteous. The security checkpoints as well as others are getting disinfected frequently.nnIt's a huge airport so make sure you have a 15 minute walk planned ahead of your boarding time. There are also buggies that can take you to your gate located at certain points.nnThere is an app for the airport you can download, very helpful for guidance.nnJust a little hint for travellers wishing to get a local SIM card for their phone:nn(the amounts and rules change frequently so make sure to get current regulations and prices at the local SIM card provider)nnIf you arrive at the airport and are planning on getting a local SIM card for your phone, if the phone was not purchased in Turkey, you can only use the phone with the local SIM for a few months.nnIf you are planning on visiting Turkey often, this would lock your phone out of the local phone network if you try to use a local SIM card again in the future. The moment you place the local SIM card in your foreign phone the clock starts and will block your phone's IMEI number from the system after a few months. For travellers wishing to visit often, it's a better bet to either get a solid international plan, or plan on purchasing a phone from Turkey to use with the local SIM card.nnThe duty free is amazing. You'll be in for a treat.nnHave a good flight!ud83dude4f

Today, airport authorities let only passengers to enter the departure hall. Additionally, Turkish airline made it compulsory to have corona test results for flight to Pakistan. For other countries, please confirm before going to airport.nTest center is on the airport but due to many passengers it takes about 4-5 hours. Please mark caution and arrive at airport well in advance.nRough calculation comes to 7-8 hours early. 3 hours before flight departure + 4 hours for the test. Please add time to reach airport from the city. Additionally, I observed traffic jam between 5-6 pm on my way back from airport.

It is a very good International Airport. Even though the Airport is new and big, you do not need longer than 20 minutes from entrance/exit to boarding gate. There are many shopping and eating opportunities. Even a LC Waikiki is inside. The prices are all in EUR and rather high, given the low Turkish Lira, but the prices are appropriate for Airport shopping. The airport has two level. In both levels you can get a taxi for the city. Prices are moderate with 16-21 Euro.