Istanbul Ataturk International Airport > Reviews > Lounging around, Istanbul International

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Is it worth visiting?
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Advantages:	Lots of Shops and access to some great lounges !
Disadvantages:	Restrauants are really expensive !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Istanbuls Ataturk International Airport is Brand new and has all you'd expect from a modern international gateway.
Its easily accessible via the metro straight to the city, and well connected with all parts of the world!
Disabled travellers are well looked after, most routes are ramped, have flat travelators and lifts and there are modern disabled toilets.

If you need access to GPRS or Wi-Fi technologies, the airport has reception all over and at high speeds.

The are tons of shops and perfumes seem to be pretty reasonable(Paco for approx. £9.00).
Theres all the standard type of shops and some super designer boutiques for those high rollers!
If you've forgotten to get some Turkish delight there is a "god send" shop which allows you to by what i refer to as "touristy" Turkish delight, jelly like in sugar powder and no other varieties (a common misconception that this is the only type available!!! - remove this thought now, there are 100's of styles and tastes!).

When its busy, seating can be an issue and the restrauant always appears to be packed out.

The restrauant has a good selection, everything from Burger King to Kebabs, but it is really expensive so try and wait till you board your flight. If you can't do this then you could try one of the lounges.
All the lounges are in and around the same place so theres no hunting for the one you want to enter! Is bankasi (a Turkish Bank) has the biggest, theres also a BA and Turkish airlines lounges too.
Most of these are out of bounds for the modest traveller, however there is a HSBC advantage lounge which you can access if you have a HSBC credit card and boarding pass.
Once in you can enjoy unlimited drinks, food, Satellite TV, music, Internet all with comfortable furniture and its even got a kids room.
If you don't have a card or you are travelling with a person without a card, its on about £5 (2004 price) to enter and you get all the same benefits.

I've spent 5 hrs here on one transit wait and its been a pleasure.
Where you might not come here just because of this review, if you are going to Istanbul or in transit via Istanbul, you'll be going through a nice stop! Its clean, safe and well stocked up and fit for the 21st century!