Arriving in Turkey

Turkey airport arrival guides

Landing in Turkey? Know exactly what to do next.

Transfers, taxis, trains and coaches, Wi-Fi and mobile data. Practical help for the moment you walk out of passport control, checked against official airport sources.

Which airport are you flying into?

Flying soon? See what to sort before you leave

Airport guides

Choose your arrival airport

Each guide walks you from the aircraft door to your onward journey, with our arrival score for how easy the airport is to get away from.

Before you fly

Five things to sort before you leave home

Ten minutes now saves a stressful first hour in the arrivals hall.

  1. 1

    Check your entry requirements

    On a full British citizen passport you can visit Turkey for a holiday without a visa, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other passports: check your own government's travel advice.

    GOV.UK entry requirements
  2. 2

    Know how you are getting to your hotel

    Transfer, coach, train or taxi: each airport works differently. Your airport guide shows where to go and what runs late at night.

    Choose your airport
  3. 3

    Buy and install your eSIM before you leave

    International eSIM shops can be inaccessible from inside Turkey, so sort it at home. It starts when you first use it in Turkey, not when you buy it.

    Get your Turkey eSIM
  4. 4

    Bring a card and some cash

    Useful for taxis, snacks and tips on your first evening, before you have found your way around.

  5. 5

    Keep your hotel and transfer details offline

    Save your booking, hotel address and driver's contact details on your phone so you can find them in the arrivals hall.

Mobile data

Why your data matters the moment you land

The first hour is when you need your phone most, and when airport Wi-Fi helps least.

  • Message your transfer driver

    Find your driver or holiday rep in a busy arrivals hall.

  • Open maps and directions

    Check your route, your meeting point or the way to the train.

  • Book a ride

    At Istanbul Airport you can request a licensed taxi through the Uber app.

Airport Wi-Fi

  • Often time-limited
  • May need an SMS code or a passport scan at a kiosk
  • Stops once you leave the terminal

eSIM installed at home

  • Data as soon as you land
  • Works in your transfer, taxi and resort
  • Starts on first use in Turkey

Buy it before you travel. International eSIM shops can be inaccessible from inside Turkey. One you have already installed still works after you land.

Get your Turkey eSIM

Your first hour

From the aircraft door to your hotel

  1. Step 1

    Passport control

    Have your passport ready. Your airport guide covers the queues and what to expect.

  2. Step 2

    Baggage reclaim

    Collect your bags, then follow the signs for Arrivals.

  3. Step 3

    Arrivals hall

    Find your transfer meeting point, coach stop, train station or taxi rank.

  4. Step 4

    Get connected

    Switch on the eSIM you installed at home and message your driver or open your maps.

  5. Step 5

    On your way

    Head to your hotel, with your route and booking details on your phone.

Questions

Travellers often ask

Quick answers. Your airport guide has the detail.

Do I need a visa for Turkey?

If you are travelling on a full British citizen passport for a holiday, you can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Rules differ by nationality, so check your own government's travel advice before you book.

Is there free Wi-Fi at Turkish airports?

Yes, but it is limited. Depending on the airport it can be time-limited, and you may need an SMS code or a passport scan at a Wi-Fi kiosk to log in. It also stops helping once you leave the terminal for your transfer or taxi.

When should I buy an eSIM for Turkey?

Before you fly. International eSIM shops can be inaccessible from inside Turkey, so buy and install it at home. An eSIM you have already installed can still be switched on and used after you land, and the plan starts when you first use it in Turkey.

Can I use Uber at Istanbul Airport?

Yes. You can request a licensed taxi through the Uber app at Istanbul Airport. Pickups are from Arrivals Exits 9 or 13, and the app shows a six-digit PIN to give your driver.

Which airport should I fly into for my resort?

For Lara, Belek, Side, Kemer and Alanya, Antalya. For Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Marmaris, Dalyan and Göcek, Dalaman. For the Bodrum Peninsula, Bodrum. For Çeşme, Alaçatı, Kuşadası and Selçuk, İzmir. For Istanbul itself, Istanbul Airport.

How we check our information

Each guide is checked against official sources: the airport operators, the transport companies that run the trains, coaches and buses, and GOV.UK for entry rules. Facts that change, like transport and Wi-Fi, are reviewed regularly, and every guide shows the date it was last checked. We are not an airport, airline or transport company.