What To Do In Istanbul Airport For 8 Hours?
Long layover in Istanbul, Turkish airlines
The new Istanbul airport is the final and intermediate destination for many travelers, and sometimes, you may have an 8-hour layover there.
I have visited this airport several times to prepare various reports, so I am familiar with its different parts. It is so big that you can spend an 8-hour layover there.
In the rest of the article, I will tell you what you can do while waiting at the airport, so stay with me until the end of the article.
What to do in Istanbul Airport for 8 hours?
Table of Contents
You have two ways to spend your time. You can stay at the airport and visit different parts of it or go into the city by getting a Turkish visa from the airport and visiting the tourist places of the city.
But if you ask me, I will tell you not to leave and stay at the airport. If you go to the city, you might get stuck in traffic on the way back to the airport and miss your flight.
First, hand over your luggage to the luggage storage section.
Left luggage offices are located in the IGA Istanbul Airport terminal building next to the domestic passenger exit and opposite exit number 13 on the arrivals floor.
After handing over your luggage, go to the IGA lounges located in both the domestic and international terminals. In these lounges, you can shower by paying about 15 euros to relieve your tiredness, then sleep on a bed for an hour to gain energy and visit the airport well. Sleeping for an hour in this section is about 15 euros.
To learn more about these services, visit the official page of this department at www.istairport.com/.
Shopping at Istanbul Airport
I love the shops in Istanbul Airport. When I first entered this airport, I was very surprised because I thought I entered a large shopping mall
This airport has more than 170 stores and is a complete shopping center. In the shopping section, you can find everything from any brand. Most of the shops in this airport work 24 hours a day.
The most important stores in these two sections are as follows:
- Children’s Fashion & Toys
- Electronics, Books & Stationery
- Fashion and Accessories
- Eyewear
- Beauty and Personal Care The famous
- Souvenirs
- Lingerie & Swimwear
- Tobacco shop
- Jewelry store
- Telecommunication
To see the complete list of these stores and their exact addresses, refer to the link: https://www.istairport.com/en/services/shopping/
Also, in the article “Shopping from Istanbul Airport,” I have completely introduced different shopping methods and stores.
This airport also has duty-free shops where you can shop without paying tax and at a low cost.
Istanbul airport cafe and restaurant
After resting and shopping for 2 hours, it is better to eat food to have enough energy for the next flight.
More than 100 cafes and restaurants are in all different parts of the airport. But if you need to know which one to go to, Burger King is located at the exit of Landside. This restaurant is the best in Istanbul. According to my experience, a burger at Istanbul airport costs about 400 liras (10 euros).
To see other restaurants with their exact address, refer to the link below:
https://www.istairport.com/en/services/food-beverage/
Now do what you like
You can go to the Fresh Air Terrace located at Gate B1 and enjoy the fresh air or go to the Smoking Areas next to Check-in Area A and smoke.
Television Viewing Areas at Gate A1 are the right option if you want entertainment and to catch up on local news.
Leaving the airport
Istanbul Airport is outside the city, and you may get stuck in traffic on the round trip. Because the airport is 40 km from the city, you must spend almost two hours going back and forth.
Below is a complete list of places near the airport to choose from according to your taste.
| Approximate round trip time | Distance to airport | Name of place |
| 50 minutes | 15 km | Arnavutkoy Istanbul
A coastal village |
| 90 minutes | 21 km | Karaburun Istanbul
The coastal city of the Black Sea (has 3 beaches, a museum, a restaurant, and various attractive walking paths) |
| 95 minutes | 32 km | Belgrade forest |
| 100 minutes | 40 km | Taksim Square (inside the city)
There are all kinds of restaurants, shops and… |
| 105 minutes | 43 km | Sultan Ahmet Camii (The blue mosque) |
| 105 minutes | 43 km | Hagia Sophia Mosque |
In the table above, I have introduced a variety of historical places, beaches, and nearby forests so that you can choose one according to your taste.
Conclusion
With all the explanations I gave, I firmly stand by my word and say that an 8-hour layover is not worth getting out of the airport; it is better to rest well and relax at the airport.
But if you stand by your word and want to leave the airport, use the above places.
Finally, I suggest you read the article “What to do in Istanbul Airport for 6 Hours.”
