Transit at Istanbul Ataturk Airport

Transit at Istanbul Ataturk Airport - Young ethnic man in earbuds listening to music while waiting for transport at contemporary subway station

I booked a flight with Turkish Airlines from Germany to Mardin, Turkey. The transit time between the international arrival and the domestic departure is only 100 minutes. Who knows about the procedure at Istanbul airport?

Is it enough time? Do I have to go to passport control and security check? Must I collect my luggage and check in again? Mardin is only a domestic airport without customs.



Best Answer

As you are connecting to a domestic flight you will need to pass through immigration. At Istanbul airport, this can take anywhere between a few minutes and 30+ minutes depending on the time of day and how busy they are at the time.

As the airport you are connecting to does not have Customs, you will need to collect your bags at Istanbul and take them through customs there. If the airport you were connecting to did have customs then you could avoid this step.

Next you will need to proceed to the domestic terminal (a 10-15 minute walk from the International Arrivals area) where you will be able to re-check your luggage, go through security, and board your domestic flight.

100 minutes for all of this is possible - but tight. If you need a visa to enter Turkey make sure that you have arranged this in advance (to save having to line up at the visa-on-arrival counter first), and once you land don't waste any time!




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Transit at Istanbul Ataturk Airport - Serious stylish bearded businessman in trendy suit holding bag and coat in hands standing near train on platform in railway station and looking away
Transit at Istanbul Ataturk Airport - Calm young African American male in casual clothes with big black bag and backpack looking at camera while walking along corridor of underground station against blurred passengers
Transit at Istanbul Ataturk Airport - Worried young businesswoman with suitcase hurrying on flight on urban background



Can I transit through Istanbul Airport?

Turkey does not require either document for entering or transiting through the country. Additionally, there are no country-specific restrictions on arrivals to Turkey, which means all travelers are welcome, with visa requirements in place as usual.

Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight in Istanbul?

Airports without customs control Passengers who have connecting flights via Istanbul with a connection time of 6 hours or more can take the opportunity to discover Istanbul with our TourIstanbul service.

Do I need a Covid test to transit in Istanbul?

Transit passengers are not required to submit a PCR test in Turkey however they are advised to review the flight restrictions applied by the destination country regarding the PCR test requirements, age limits and the duration.

Do I need a visa for a connecting flight through Istanbul?

Do I need to get transit visa? Answer: If you will not leave the transit lounge at the airport you are not required to have transit visa. Otherwise, you have to make visa application to the nearest Turkish Representation.



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