Review: Istanbul Ataturk Airport

Arrived at a holiday time (late March) for a transit flight on to Azerbaijan – but still managed to navigate this airport without too much trouble, despite the hustle’n’bustle. The Duty Free areas, and eating’n’drinking outlets, are parallel to the main departure gates – once you get through to them if transferring from an incoming flight. Can’t comment on arriving from mainland Turkey – as a ‘transit’ passenger I’ve no idea what their check-in and security might be like when coming from landside (last time I was in Istanbul was 1967, and I arrived and departed by sea). Pay particular attention to your boarding time if you’re leaving from gates in the 300-series – they are easy enough to find, but they are ‘board by bus’ gates downstairs – so it’s not a case of wandering-up and walking-on. Istanbul Ataturk is looking to become one of the big hubs for transit to Asia … they’ve a wee bit to go yet but working on it. Transit security will need to look more orderly if they want to be seen as an efficient (smooth running) and user-friendly operation, rather than controlled chaos – if this visit was anything to judge by. See also review of Istanbul TAV Airport Hotel (if you’re on a transit visit and stuck in the airport for more than an hour or two!).

• Customer service
• Dining facilities
• Range of shops
• Money exchange

This review is solely based on the opinion of a Silver Travel Advisor member and not of Silver Travel Advisor Ltd.