They told me Istanbul Airport was big. They didn’t tell me it was a separate country.
As our plane landed, we taxied for what felt like 20 minutes. Then, the pilot announced we had arrived. I grabbed my bag, stepped into the terminal, and looked down the hallway. It went on forever. Literally. I couldn’t see the end.
Location: Istanbul Airport (IST)
Steps Taken: 4,500 (Just inside the terminal)
Mood: Tiny
This is my diary of surviving the arrival and getting to the city without paying a fortune for a taxi.
The Great Migration (The Walk)
I started walking. And walking. And walking. There were moving walkways, but I needed to stretch my legs. The ceiling was high enough to fly a drone inside. It felt like a sci-fi movie set. Everything was shiny, massive, and echoing. By the time I reached Passport Control, I felt like I had walked halfway to Ankara.
The “Simit Sarayı” Landmark
After grabbing my luggage (which took a while, the airport is huge), I walked out the sliding doors into the Arrivals Hall. Chaos. People holding signs with names. Families hugging. Drivers shouting. But then I smelled it. Roasted sesame.
There it was: Simit Sarayı. The red bakery that every Turk uses as a meeting point. “Meet me at Simit Sarayı.” It’s the North Star of the airport. I bought a water and a Simit. It was overpriced (airport prices, ugh), but I was starving.
The Transport Dilemma: Metro vs. Bus
Now, how to escape? I saw signs for the Metro (M11). It’s super fast (120 km/h), but it stops at Kağıthane or Gayrettepe. From there, I’d have to switch lines with my heavy bags to get to the Old City. I was too tired for transfers.
I looked for the Taxis. The line was long, and I’ve heard stories about traffic jams costing a fortune on the meter. I skipped the taxi.
The Descent to “Havaist”
I followed the signs for “Transportation / Buses” pointing down. I took the elevator to Floor -2. It looked like a bus terminal built underground. Rows and rows of white buses called Havaist. Each one had a destination on the front: Taksim, Aksaray, Kadıköy. I found the one for Aksaray / Beyazıt (closest to Sultanahmet). I put my suitcase in the trunk. The driver gave me a luggage tag (don’t lose this!). I tapped my credit card to enter (around 200 TL). I sat in a wide, comfortable seat. Finally. I closed my eyes.
The First Glimpse
The ride was boring at first. Just highways and concrete. But about 45 minutes later, I woke up. We were entering the city. The traffic slowed down. And then, suddenly, there it was. The ancient city walls. The domes of the mosques. The sea shimmering in the distance. The bus turned a corner, and I saw the Golden Horn.
The chaos of the airport, the long walk, the tired legs… it all vanished. I pressed my face against the glass like a kid. I had arrived.
The Verdict
Istanbul Airport is overwhelming. It is designed to make you feel small. But it works. If you are arriving:
Wear comfortable shoes (seriously).
Don’t panic about the size. Just follow the signs.
Take the Havaist bus if you have luggage. It’s cheap, safe, and drops you right in the center.
My “Eat Walk Repeat” Note for Today:
Eat: Grab a coffee at the airport, but save your appetite for the city.
Walk: You will walk at least 2km inside the terminal. Consider it your daily exercise.
Repeat: When leaving, arrive at the airport 3 hours early. You will need the time just to walk to your gate.
Explore More of My Istanbul Diaries:
If you enjoyed this diary, check out the rest of my Istanbul series to see the city through a local lens:
🍽️ Eat & Drink
- Street Food Diaries: The Fish Sandwich (Balık Ekmek) at Galata Bridge
- Turkish Breakfast Ritual: Why We Sat at a Table for 4 Hours in Beşiktaş
🎟️ Things To Do
- The Hamam Experience: Letting Go of Stress at Kılıç Ali Paşa
- The Ferry Ritual: Crossing Continents with Tea and Seagulls
🗺️ Itineraries
- A Day of Two Continents: Breakfast in Europe, Coffee in Asia
- Sultanahmet at Dawn: Walking the Old City Before the Tourists Wake Up
🚇 Essentials
- Istanbulkart Diaries: My Magic Key to the City (and How Not to Get Stuck)
- Arriving in Chaos: My Journey from IST Airport to the City Center
🏘️ Neighborhoods
- Neighborhood Diaries: Kadıköy & Moda (The Cool Side)
- Getting Lost in Balat: Colorful Houses, Steep Hills & Hidden Antiques
