General Information

Istanbul Airport (IATA: IST, ICAO: LTFM)[5] is the larger of two international airports serving Istanbul, Türkiye. It is located in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. It is the largest airport in Türkiye and the 2nd busiest airport in Europe.

All scheduled commercial passenger flights were transferred from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport on 6 April 2019, following the closure of Atatürk Airport for scheduled passenger flights.[6] The IATA airport code IST was also transferred to the new airport.

It served more than 76 million passengers in 2023, making it 2nd-busiest airport in Europe of 2023, after Heathrow Airport and the 2nd-busiest airport in the Middle East, after Dubai International Airport, it was also the 7th-busiest airport in the world of 2023 in terms of total passenger traffic and, by serving more than 58 million international passengers, the 6th-busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic according to ACI World traffic values. It serves up to 122 countries and is the hub for Turkish Airlines.

It was decided to construct the new airport at the intersection of roads to Arnavutköy, Göktürk, and Çatalca, north of central Istanbul and between the Black Sea coast towns of Yeniköy [tr], Tayakadın and Akpınar. The area is a 7,600-hectare (19,000-acre) region near Lake Terkos. Some 6,172 hectares (15,250 acres) of this area was state-owned forest. The distance between Istanbul Airport and Atatürk Airport is approximately 35 km (22 mi). The area encompassed old open-pit coal mines, which were later filled with soil.

Last but not least, the services and facilities provided at the airport are one-of-a-kind, and of course, cutting-edge technology is applied all over the environmentally-friendly airport.

Istanbul has a second airport located on the Asian side of the city, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, which is an important arrival point especially for charter and cargo flights and special events.

The city is reachable via ship from Italy, Greece, and other Mediterranean countries, and is in addition a major port of call for cruise lines and chartered yachts. Via land, several rail lines connect Türkiye to neighboring countries as well as many bus lines which easily and affordably connect Istanbul to other cities across Türkiye, Europe and the Middle East. Highways represent another increasingly viable alternative to getting in and out of Istanbul.

Istanbul falls in the Eastern European Summer Time, Clocks do not change in Turkiye.

Currency

The Turkish Lira is the official currency of Turkey. Bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 TL. Coins come in the amounts of 1, 5, 10 and 25 Kuruş and 1 Lira.

ATMs

ATMs can be found all around the country. All of them offer foreign language options and pay out Turkish liras. Cash withdrawal limits vary from bank to bank and are around 800 TL to 10.000 TL.

Exchanging Currencies

Foreign exchange offices, which are known as "döviz bürosu” are widespread. Operating hours are mostly Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 17:00. In the arrivals sections of the Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen Airports, there are 24-hour exchange offices. Also exchange offices located in shopping malls and touristic areas can remain open later and on Saturdays. US Dollars and Euros are accepted in touristic districts like Sultanahmet and Taksim but rates are often not competitive.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely used and accepted. Visitors can use their Visa and Mastercards but Amex and Diner's are often not accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

Traveller's cheques can be changed at banks or post offices. Note that you'll need to have a valid passport with you.

There is a lot to be seen in Istanbul and Turkey. A selection of tours will be available in association with the congress including to the famous sites at the Historical Peninsula -also known as the Old City- and the Bosphorus cruises. The Aegean, Anatolian and Mediterranean sections of Turkey are also packed with archaeological sites of varying ancient civilizations.

Istanbul is a culinary delight no matter what your budget. From simple workers' eateries and sidewalk cafes to posh culinary palaces with liveried waiters, Turkish cuisine is good and the value-for-money unbeatable. A typical Turkish dish generally consists of lamb, mutton, and veal with a variety of vegetables. Pilaf, all kinds of pastry, bulgur, haricot beans, rich olive oil, and vegetables are also common side dishes. Meatballs, shish kebab, and doner kebab are classic dishes. Because of its coastal location, fish is also popular although it is usually cooked simply, such as grilled, or fried with olive oil and lemon juice. Istanbul is the commercial and cultural centre of Turkey; and there are many international restaurants such as Korean, Russian, Italian, and Chinese. American-style fast-food outlets are becoming more popular, but for a quick snack it is recommended to fill up at the plethora of tiny takeaways offering kebabs and snacks. It is easy to sample good quality regional cuisine in typical small restaurants, usually at low cost, especially in the commercial and business areas.

The Michelin Guide aims to promote some of the best restaurants from all over the world. Since 2022, Michelin has included 53 Istanbul Michelin-starred restaurants in its guide. Among these restaurants, 10 received a Bib Gourmand and 4 others were awarded One MICHELIN Star and one made its debut in the Guide with Two MICHELIN Stars for its exceptional cuisine.

https://guide.michelin.com/en/tr/istanbul-province/restaurants

Turkey's electrical system operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets. You will need a plug adapter and possibly voltage converter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit.

There are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Turkey operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Congress registration fees do not include the insurance of participants against personal accidents, sickness and cancellations by any party, theft, loss or damage to personal possessions. Participants are advised to take out adequate personal insurance to cover travel, accommodation, cancellation and personal effects.

It is recommended to have a travel insurance policy with a full medical coverage before traveling. Note that in some cases, a Europe-only travel insurance policy does not cover you on the Asian side of İstanbul.

Famed as the City of a Thousand Colours and Fragrances, Istanbul is a paradise for shoppers. A large variety of traditional carpets, jewels, gold, and leather goods can be purchased on the street in the tourist areas, or one can visit the city's modern shopping malls where Turkish brand goods can be found. The shops are open from 8:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Saturday. The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar open their gates at 8:00 and close at 19:00. The large shopping malls open from 10:00 to 22:00 seven days a week. Shops do not close for lunch.

All registered participants are cordially invited to attend the Congress Welcome Reception. Further details on the social program will be listed on the website.

Note: The organizing committee reserves the right to modify social events.

Service charges are included in the cost of all goods and services. Although it is not mandatory, a small tip is customary for good service. As a guideline, add about 10% to the total bill. When paying by credit card, a cash tip is preferred.

All participants are required to show a valid passport on entrance to Turkey. Citizens of some countries are required to obtain a visa before arrival from the Turkish Embassy or Consulate and some may obtain e-Visas via the website ww.evisa.gov.tr before arrival. The most updated visa information can be received from the website of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

evisa.gov.tr