Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the gateway to Turkey’s most populous city. The nation’s cultural and financial hub sits astride the Bosphorus, linking Europe and Asia. The city is home to Sultanahmet, or the Old City, which was known as Constantinople during the Roman and Byzantine Empires. It is the setting for famous sites, such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Located on the European side, the airport is near the Museum of Archaeology and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art.

Key Facts

Ataturk Boulevard and E-5 Karayolu connect to Highway O-3 for travel in and around Istanbul. The E-5 passes by the Sinan Erdem Dome, an indoor sports complex which hosts European League basketball games as well as concerts and other events. Nearby points of interest are the legendary city of Troy, and the Gallipoli World War I battle site.

Hints and Tips

Flights from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Istanbul Ataturk predominately depart in the evening New York time, and arrive in Istanbul in the afternoon local time. While the majority of the flights take approximately 17 hours and include one stop over, there are a few direct flights available that last ten hours.

From Istanbul Ataturk, you can travel onward to historic Ephesus and the capital of Ankara, as well as Mediterranean and Black Sea Beach resorts.