How early should you arrive at Istanbul Airport before your flight?

At Sabiha, transit passengers travelling with carry-on luggage and an issued boarding pass can go straight to the international transfer area; a mobile boarding pass is sufficient. Two hours is normally more than enough, although passport control or baggage delivery can occasionally take about an hour.

Evening trips to the airport are especially risky: between 7-8 PM traffic is at its worst, and the drive can take 2-3 hours instead of the usual 1.5-2.

One traveler worried about a tight 2h20m connection from a domestic to an international flight, since you have to take a taxi between terminals (no checked luggage). Concern was heightened after the airline previously shifted flight times.

The drive to the airport usually takes 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic, so leave for the airport 3 hours before departure. There can be queues at the airport itself, so budget at least 2 hours for security and check-in.

Long queues for international flights are uncommon and processing usually takes about an hour. Still, it's recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before departure — this traveler personally arrives 3 hours early to be safe.