Avis
Mid-size and SUV fleet. International driver's licence accepted. Online booking gives best rates.
- Hours
- 24/7
- Site
- avis.com.tr
Airport · IST
Istanbul Airport (IST): Taxi, Services & What's Inside
Türkiye's flagship international hub, operating since 2018. One colossal terminal, 24/7, around 90 million passengers a year. Here's every service inside Istanbul Airport — including the official taxi rank, M11 metro entrance and Havaist coach stops — from arrival to gate.
Updated
IATA / ICAO
IST · LTFM
Location
Arnavutköy, ~50 km NW of city centre, European side.
Terminals
Single integrated terminal, IDL (Int'l) + DOM (Domestic) piers.
Operator
İGA — İstanbul Grand Airport.
01 · Car rental
Car rental desks
Located on the Arrivals level, in the dedicated rental zone. Most international and major Turkish brands operate 24/7.
Hertz
Largest fleet at IST including premium and electric options. Gold member fast-track desk.
- Hours
- 24/7
- Site
- hertz.com
Europcar
Solid mid-range pricing. Often runs IST-specific weekly deals.
- Hours
- 24/7
- Site
- europcar.com.tr
Sixt
Premium-leaning fleet. Apple Pay / Google Pay accepted at counter.
- Hours
- 24/7
- Site
- sixt.com.tr
Budget
Cheaper sister of Avis. Same desk staff, same fleet pool.
- Hours
- 24/7
- Site
- budget.com.tr
Enterprise
Strong corporate / loyalty programme. Free upgrade often available.
- Hours
- 24/7
- Site
- enterprise.com
Garenta
Local Turkish brand by Otokoç. Often the cheapest option for compact cars.
- Hours
- 24/7
- Site
- garenta.com.tr
Çizgi Rent A Car
Local provider with sharp prices and well-maintained Turkish-market cars.
- Hours
- 24/7
- Site
- cizgirentacar.com
Pickup is at the multi-storey rental car park, a short walk or shuttle from the terminal. Always pre-book online — counter rates can be 2–3× the website price.
02 · Food & dining
Restaurants, cafés & fast food
200+ outlets across landside and airside. Mix of global chains, Turkish staples and a few standout sit-down restaurants.
Turkish staples
Simit Sarayı, Mado, Big Chefs, Günaydın (steakhouse), Develi (kebab). Best for first or last Turkish meal.
Cafés
Starbucks, Caffè Nero, Gloria Jean's, Espressolab (Turkish specialty), Kahve Dünyası.
Fast food
Burger King, Popeyes, Sbarro, Subway, Pizza Hut, plus Turkish Köfteci Yusuf.
Sit-down
Airside near gates: Develi, Günaydın, Big Chefs, Vapiano, Tom's Kitchen (London import).
Quick groceries
Migros Jet and BIM kiosks for water, snacks, SIM accessories. Cheaper than airport convenience stores.
Sweets & treats
Hafız Mustafa (Turkish delight, baklava), Koska, Hacı Şerif. Vacuum-packed boxes for hand luggage.
03 · Currency & banking
Currency exchange, ATMs & banks
Exchange offices are open 24/7 but usually offer the worst rates at the airport. Use ATMs for cards, exchange offices only for emergency cash.
Travelex
Multiple counters in arrivals and departures. Good for last-minute conversion of TRY back to EUR/USD before departure.
- Hours
- 24/7
ON FX / IGA Exchange
Official airport exchange offices. Slightly better rates than tourist-area exchange shops.
- Hours
- 24/7
Bank ATMs
Garanti BBVA, İş Bankası, Vakıfbank, Akbank, QNB Finansbank. Most accept Visa/Mastercard with no foreign-card fee at the machine.
Bank branches
Limited branch service for foreign-exchange wire transfers and cheque cashing — call ahead, weekday business hours only.
Tip: many Turkish ATMs ask if you want to be charged in EUR/USD or TRY — always pick TRY (your bank's rate beats the airport's).
04 · Tours & transfers
Tour operators & transfer counters
Bookable on arrival but always cheaper online in advance. The airport's own desks are convenient but not the best price.
IGA Tour Booking
Half-day, full-day and multi-day tours of the historic peninsula, Bosphorus and beyond. Pickup from arrivals.
Turkish Airlines TourIstanbul
If your TK transit is 6–24h, Turkish Airlines offers a free city tour with transport, guide and meal — book at the desk in arrivals.
SkyHop
Open-top bus and Bosphorus cruise combo tickets, sold from a counter just past customs.
Private transfer counters
Independent operators near the rank quote inflated "fixed" prices. Use BiTaksi/Uber, the Havaist coach, or M11 metro instead.
05 · Essential services
Lounges, pharmacy, prayer rooms & more
Lounges
Turkish Airlines CIP, IGA Lounge (pay-per-use), Diners Club, Plaza Premium. Priority Pass widely accepted.
Pharmacy (Eczane)
Two 24/7 pharmacies in arrivals and departures. Most common medications without prescription.
Prayer rooms
Mescit on every level, separate areas for men and women, plus a small mosque on arrivals.
Family rooms
Nursing rooms with changing tables and private feeding spaces. Free, located near gates.
SIM cards
Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom kiosks in arrivals. Tourist 30-day data SIMs from ~€20.
Lost & Found
Single counter on arrivals level. istairport.com has online claim form.
Showers
Inside paid lounges. Plus Yotelair Istanbul Airport for cabins by the hour airside.
Hotel
YOTEL Istanbul Airport (4* attached to terminal). Pullman Istanbul Airport & ALL within 10 min by shuttle.