We are planning a trip to Rome arriving via Holland America cruise line, staying 4 days in Rome, then flying home via Turkish Airlines from Rome via Istanbul to Boston. Having never flown from Europe what can we expect from the airports in Rome (FCO) and Istanbul? Are there English signs?
Posted by
winston salem, nc, usa
1078 posts
Yes there are English signs, and the Istanbul airport is as modern as any in the U.S. plus the prices to buy food, dutyfree, ect are lower than in FCO.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
You can expect lots of good food opportunities in both places along with lots of options for spending money in the duty-free shops. English is widely spoken in both places. Watch for the Segway wheel chairs in Istanbul. They are amazing.
Signs are in English as well as Italian at FCO and Turkish at IST. Unless things have changed, I think Turkish Airlines flies out of Terminal 3 at FCO. We flew from Rome to Istanbul for the RS tour in the fall, then from Athens back to Rome via Istanbul.
One little oddity at IST, at the risk of clogging the plumbing, do not flush used TP. Pay attention to the signs and put it in the trash in the stall.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Both airports are very easy to navigate, in my opinion. And I save some shopping for the duty-free stores! I guess the airfare from IST must be a bargain for you to travel so far east just to fly west.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32462 posts
kathy,
Yes, there will be English signs at FCO and other international airports as those are mandated by ICAO regulations. Airports are usually configured with the language of the country as well as English, often supplemented with symbols representing washrooms or whatever.
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