Although the airport is relatively large, it follows the concept of one terminal divided into domestic and international sections.
Ankara Airport is very spacious and well signposted. Orientation is extremely easy and transfers are much more convenient than at Istanbul IST or Istanbul SAW.
Transfer between flights
The transfer is well signposted and quick thanks to the single medium-sized terminal.
Any transfer time that the airline will sell you within one booking is sufficient.
The realistic time from getting off the plane to reaching the departure gate of the connecting flight is between 20 and 35 minutes.
If you would like to connect through Ankara Airport on your own with two separate tickets, allow at least 3.5 hours.
Security and passport control
There is no passport control for international transfers, but in some cases you will go through security.
You will not go through security for international transfers if you are arriving from a destination in certain European countries and if you already have a boarding pass for a connecting flight. In this case, you will head straight from the aircraft through a special transfer corridor to the departure gate area.
When transferring from an international flight to a flight within Turkey or vice versa, you will go through security and passport control.
Transfer baggage
Transfer baggage is automatically transferred to the next flight and you don't have to worry about it.
In case you combine your transfer on your own by purchasing two unrelated tickets, you must collect and re-check your baggage.
The transfer is not complicated, it is advisable to allow 50 minutes for an international to domestic transfer and 30 minutes for a domestic transfer.
Looking for accommodation near Istanbul Airport during a layover or early morning departure?
Overnight at the airport - opening hours
Ankara Airport is open 24/7. Flight traffic remains very heavy throughout the night.
There are virtually no comfortable places to stay overnight in the public area. However, in the transit area you will find plenty of departure gates with carpeted floors and hidden places where you won't be disturbed.
Hotels at the airport
There is no hotel located directly next to the terminal.
There are two different hotels near the airport, but they are not easily accessible by public transport from the centre:
- Holiday Inn Express Ankara Airport *** - 7 km from the airport, free private shuttle bus to/from the airport.
- ibis Ankara Airport *** - 5 km from the airport, hotel does not have its own shuttle bus, taxi price approx. 300 try
