Istanbul Airport Lounges: Where They Are, Who Gets In, and What It Costs
You have a long layover at Istanbul Airport and you want a quiet seat, a shower, and a plug. There is a lounge for almost every kind of ticket. The iGA Lounge sells entry for 104.17 euros plus VAT and also takes Priority Pass. Turkish Airlines runs its own lounges for business class passengers and elite flyers.
One catch: every lounge is in the departures area, past passport control. Istanbul Airport has no lounge on the arrivals floor, so you can only use one on a connection or before a flight out.
In short:
- iGA Lounge International costs 104.17 euros plus VAT for adults and 52.09 euros plus VAT for kids 7 to 12, on October 30, 2026.
- The domestic iGA Lounge costs 2,500 Turkish lira plus VAT for adults, on the same date.
- Priority Pass lists three iGA lounges at IST, open around the clock, plus the iGA Sleepod and four XpresSpa locations.
- Turkish Airlines lounges go by ticket class or status. Charter passengers are left out, even in business class.
Turkey eSIM from $3.50Install at home, connect when you land.See plans
Moosetrip sells eSIMs, so keep that in mind as you read. We have not visited these lounges. Everything below comes from the airport, airline, and lounge pages listed at the end. Prices appear in the currency each lounge lists, because your card's exchange rate sets the final dollar cost.
Lounges at Istanbul Airport (IST)
This airport has three shared lounges under the iGA name, plus airline lounges.
| Lounge | Area | Where to find it | Ways in |
|---|---|---|---|
| iGA Lounge International | International departures | After passport control, turn left and take the escalator next to the LCW store | Paid entry, iGA Pass, Priority Pass, partner airlines and programs |
| iGA Pop-Up Lounge | International departures | Opposite Gate A5 | iGA Pass, Priority Pass |
| iGA Lounge Domestic | Domestic departures | Left of Gate G11 | Paid entry, Priority Pass, partners |
| Turkish Airlines Lounge Business and Lounge Miles&Smiles | International departures | After passport control, shown on the airport map | Business class, Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance status |
| Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge | Domestic departures | Domestic area | Business class, status, paid entry |
| SkyTeam Lounge | International departures | Shown on the airport map | Passengers of SkyTeam airlines |
Priority Pass lists all three iGA lounges as open from 00:00 to 23:59 every day. The airport places the Pop-Up Lounge opposite Gate A5. Priority Pass placed it opposite Gate A6 on October 27, 2026, so look between the two.
For iGA Lounge International, the Priority Pass listing adds one more step: at the top of the escalator, turn right.
What is inside each lounge
iGA Lounge International is the big one, with seating for 650 people. It has a buffet, bar, terrace, showers, nap zone, prayer rooms, kids' playgrounds, meeting rooms, private work stations, a pool table, baggage lockers, and a Unifree store. A massage area runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
iGA Lounge Domestic is simpler: an open buffet, bar, seating, nap zone, business corner, and flight screens.
iGA Pop-Up Lounge suits a short wait near the A gates. Expect snacks, soft and alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, charging, flight screens, and a rest area. There is no full buffet on the list.
If you only want sleep or a treatment, Priority Pass also lists the iGA Sleepod and four XpresSpa locations in the international area. The airport places the Sleepod past international passport control, opposite the D gates.
Five ways to get in
- Fly business class. Lounge Business is open to Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance business class passengers on international flights. You cannot bring a guest.
- Hold elite status. Miles&Smiles Elite, Elite Plus, and Star Alliance Gold open Lounge Miles&Smiles, even on an economy ticket. Elite and Elite Plus members can bring a guest or family: a spouse and children under 25, entering together.
- Use Priority Pass. It works at all three iGA lounges at IST. If you hold it through a credit card, read your card terms for guest fees and visit limits before you count on it.
- Buy entry. iGA sells passes on igapass.com, in the Istanbul Airport mobile app, through its 24/7 call center, and at the lounge desk.
- Hold an iGA Pass membership. The airport lists this as its own way in.
Some airlines and travel programs have their own iGA contracts. The airport tells you to confirm your entry rights with your airline or provider, so ask before you fly.
How much entry costs
| Lounge | Adult | Child | Price date |
|---|---|---|---|
| iGA Lounge International (IST) | 104.17 euros plus VAT | 52.09 euros plus VAT, ages 7 to 12 | October 30, 2026 |
| iGA Lounge Domestic (IST) | 2,500 lira plus VAT | 1,250 lira plus VAT, ages 7 to 12 | October 30, 2026 |
| Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge, domestic (IST) | 3,000 lira with a Classic card | Half price for family kids 7 to 12 | Fare table for June 1 to December 31, 2026 |
| Plaza Premium Marmara and Bosphorus (SAW) | From 75 euros | Not listed | October 27, 2026 |
| Plaza Premium Anadolu (SAW) | From 57 euros | Not listed | October 27, 2026 |
iGA counts anyone 12 or older as an adult. It says entry terms for infants and younger children can vary by contract, so ask at the desk. The same page lists a 35% discount for passengers 65 and older at its service sales locations, which is also worth asking about. An e-invoice reaches your email within 7 days of purchase.
The Turkish Airlines fare table had no paid entry for its international lounge at IST. Paid entry to the domestic lounge needs a Miles&Smiles account, which you can open online as a digital card.
Is the iGA price worth it? For a layover of 5 hours or more, a shower and a real meal can justify it. For 90 minutes, probably not, because the walk and the wait take up part of your time.
Time limits and kids
- Paid iGA entry: 6 hours from your first entry.
- iGA through partner programs: 3 hours, according to the airport. Priority Pass listings showed 2 hours on October 27, 2026, so plan on 2 unless the desk says otherwise.
- iGA as an airline guest: 4 hours.
- Paid Turkish Airlines domestic lounge: no earlier than 4 hours before a flight that starts in Istanbul, or 6 hours before your flight if you are connecting.
- Kids at Turkish Airlines lounges: under 2 free. When an adult pays with a Classic card, family kids up to 6 go free and kids 7 to 12 pay half.
- Kids on Priority Pass at iGA: under 2 free.
The charter flight rule
Turkish Airlines does not admit charter passengers to its lounges, even with a business class ticket or an elite card. The one exception is access bought for you by a tour agency. If you booked a package tour, ask the agency before you plan around a lounge.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Istanbul's second airport has different lounges. Plaza Premium runs the shared ones, all open 24 hours on its site, as checked on October 27, 2026.
| Lounge | Area | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Marmara | International departures | Near Gate 205-B |
| Bosphorus | International departures | Near Gate 204-B |
| Anadolu | Domestic departures | Mezzanine |
Marmara has a terrace and a kids' room. Bosphorus has a bar and a prayer room. The Sabiha Gökçen site says Plaza Premium works with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, DreamFolks, and American Express.
For sleep, Kepler Club has capsule beds of about 87 by 55 inches, plus a shower. Turn left after passport control. Priority Pass allows up to 3 hours there, and kids under 7 go free.
Turkish Airlines also has two private lounges at SAW, one domestic and one international.
Layover tips
- Check your gate first. Find your gate number before you settle in, and leave extra time if it is far from the lounge.
- Use the showers. The airport says iGA Lounge has showers and rest areas for transit passengers.
- Change areas with care. At SAW, transit passengers go up the escalator from international arrivals to departures, following the International Transit/Transfer signs.
Staying connected after the lounge
Free Wi-Fi is part of the iGA and Plaza Premium lounges, but it ends when you walk out. You need your own data for three things:
- Your airline app, boarding pass, and gate change alerts
- A message to whoever is meeting you if the flight runs late
- Maps and ride apps after you land at your final stop
You do not need anything extra if your US plan already includes data in Turkey at a cost you are happy with. Ask your carrier before you buy.
If it does not, a travel eSIM is a simple fix. You install it at home over Wi-Fi with a QR code. Your days start with your first connection in Turkey, not when you install it. Your regular number stays on as a second line, as we explain in how to keep your US number abroad. Our eSIMs are data only, with no phone number of their own. Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked, and you can check your phone here.
Our Turkey plans on October 30, 2026:
| Data | Days | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 | $3.50 |
| 3 GB | 30 | $7.00 |
| 5 GB | 30 | $9.50 |
| 10 GB | 30 | $16.00 |
| 20 GB | 30 | $31.50 |
As a generous rule of thumb, 1 GB is about 5 hours of maps and taxi apps, or 1.5 hours of video calls. The networks in our Turkey catalog are Vodafone and Avea/Türk Telekom. See the Turkey page for details. Heading into the city from IST? Read our Havaist bus guide.
Questions
How much is a lounge at Istanbul Airport?
iGA Lounge International costs 104.17 euros plus VAT for adults, and the domestic iGA Lounge costs 2,500 lira plus VAT, on October 30, 2026. At Sabiha Gökçen, Plaza Premium listed entry from 75 euros for international lounges and from 57 euros for domestic on October 27, 2026.
Can I use Priority Pass at Istanbul Airport?
Yes. Priority Pass lists iGA Lounge International, iGA Lounge Domestic, and the Pop-Up Lounge, plus iGA Sleepod and XpresSpa. Check your card terms for guests and visit limits.
Is there a lounge in the arrivals area at Istanbul Airport?
No. The airport says there is no lounge service on the arrivals floor. All lounges are in departures, past passport control.
Can I enter a Turkish Airlines lounge in economy?
Yes, with Miles&Smiles Elite, Elite Plus, or Star Alliance Gold status. Without status, Turkish Airlines had no paid entry for its international lounge at IST in its fare table.
Does Sabiha Gökçen have a lounge?
Yes. Plaza Premium Marmara and Bosphorus serve international flights, and Anadolu serves domestic flights. Kepler Club offers capsule beds.
Sources
- iGA Lounge, Istanbul Airport, checked 2026-10-30
- Istanbul lounges and experiences, Priority Pass, checked 2026-10-30
- Sabiha Gökçen lounges, Priority Pass, checked 2026-10-27
- FAQ, Istanbul Airport, checked 2026-10-27
- International Lounge, Turkish Airlines, checked 2026-10-27
- Lounge Terms and Conditions, Turkish Airlines, fare table for 2026-06-01 to 2026-12-31, checked 2026-10-27
- Marmara lounge, Plaza Premium, checked 2026-10-27
- Plaza Premium Lounge, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, checked 2026-10-27