just a quick question that i would be really really greatful if someone could answer for me.i am travelling to ankara tomorrow from manchester england and i catching a connecting flight in istanbul in order to get to ankara.does anyone know if this is easy,are there signs to follow etc when i arrive in istanbul international terminal because i assume i will have to pass through security and then go to the domestic terminal.anyone any clue?? thanks in advance

As far as I remember all signs at Atatürk airport are both in English and in Turkish. And there are lots of people who can help you..

there some buses for domestic terminal
when you get on a bus for ankara you will go from bolu way there is a new bolu tunnel which makes the way more closer
when you get off the plane you had better take a taxi to terminal it will be more safety

I did it last September, after passport control you have to walk for 10-15 minutes till you arrive to the domestic airport. There are signs (not all of them in English, they say "yurtiçi havalimanı" or "iç hatlar" I don't remember which) and lots of security people who are willing to help and show the way. The domestic airport is quite a small one and the flight to Ankara is very short.

i hope you have a good holiday , im still in the middle of sorting mine out i will be visiting eyup while over there as its important i do so , i know i have to be in itstanbul but i really cant remember which part if any one wants to remind me thats great as i feel so embarressed to re ask as i have been told a few times :-S

Are u asking where Eyüp is?

If you do so, Eyüp is in the golden horn (haliç) area. You can go there by bus from Eminönü or taxi (50 ytl apprx.)

thanks everyone.i am still not totally clear if i have to go through customs before i can get to the domestic terminal in istanbul.any one have an idea?

Just checked my passport- only two stamps: entering Istanbul and exiting it, nothing between (I mean nothing from the domestic airport), I don't remember passing any customs, just a passport check when you enter Istanbul, then showing it again at the domestic airport before boarding on (or a Turkish ID card, that's what the others did).

Yes, there is a separate (and quite far) small terminal for domestic flights.
And no, as I booked for the transfer flight here ahead, my baggage was transferred to the flight directly, I didn't deal with it in Istanbul at all. Unfortunately they sent it in a different flight by mistake, so I didn't see it in Ankara either lol, but the officers in Ankara Esenboğa airport were very nice and polite. After I described the suitcase and gave them it's key (for a security check) they promised that it will be sent to my hotel room and it really arrived at night to my room.

Thank you for your help

Once in Istanbul my baggage wasn't with my flight either and they also brought it to my hotel there. I wonder what they do if the passenger is going to a place far away.. Hopefully it won't happen this time

Hi all,

I have just come back from Ankara via istanbul.It was fairly easy on the way there when i arrived in istanbul i went to get my visa and then i went through passport control then you should make your way to the domestic terminal (quite a long walk and signs are a little confusing but you can always ask)(dont collect luggage unless told to by the airline)once at the domestic terminal you should check your flight number on the screeens and go to the appropriate gate remembering to go through a security point first (baggage and self scan)once you get to ankara you dont go through any security you just need to collect your luggege which confusingly for me came to the international arrivals baggage claim hall.
Hope this helps.