Istanbul connection

Sometimes I have. Sometimes, no. Never could figure out the logic, always the same destination.

If you're asking because you need to decide on what is a reasonably safe transfer time, keep in mind that IST has a huge footprint. It can take a very long time to progress from the point of touchdown to the gate. The walk between gates could also be very time-consuming. I've only arrived at and departed from IST; I've never changed planes there, but I'd want a nice, long layover.

I've had a couple of connections in IST over the last month and a half - going to/from Tunisia from the US and I've generally had to go through security.

While IST is huge, and with lots of walking, a 90 min connection should suffice.

While IST is huge, and with lots of walking, a 90 min connection
should suffice.

Ditto. Large but we'll staffed and lined move well. We'll laid out and organized.

Thank you all! My connection is 75 minutes outbound and a bit under 4 hours return. That does seem fairly tight for the first one but I’m not too worried, as it’s on one ticket, presumably feasible or Turkish Airlines wouldn’t have offered it, and early in the morning with several later flights to Bucharest if necessary. Also it’s not until September so in all likelihood there will be at least one schedule change. I jumped on what looked like a very good fare for this routing (to join a Road Scholar Romania tour) of about $750 — especially as there isn’t a big selection of return flights from little Cluj; the only other one-stops on a major airline back to Dulles appear to be Lufthansa through Munich at much higher cost at present, although of course IST is a bit of a backtrack. I’m thinking not just about connection feasibility with the security question but also water bottles, etc as I’ve heard IST has ridiculously expensive food and drink. Thanks again.

Critical question: Is this all (either outbound or return) booked as a single ticket, or as separate tickets? If separate tickets, expect to exit the most secure air-side section of the airport (plus claim checked bags if you have any), then re-enter the departure hall and clear security there. If you are on a single itinerary, all booked as one ticket, then you still MAY have to go through security as you transit from one flight to the next.

Secondary point: Flights departing Istanbul that are bound for the USA have an additional (sometimes surprisingly intrusive) security inspection at the departure gate (I believe this is a requirement imposed by the USA). This is not terribly well organized IME, and it slows everything down, so don't expect things to happen lightning-fast.

Note: There have been real "security issues" at the Istanbul airport in years past, so nobody should be surprised by the multiple screenings one has to go through there (which may seem surprising or excessive to those who have not previously traveled beyond western Europe). Your (and your bags) will be screened as you enter the airport terminal itself. There will be another (more thorough, TSA-style) security screening when you proceed from the terminal's entry hall to the gates. Then, if your flight is headed for the US, there will be a third security inspection (likely to include a pat-down and a peek inside your carry-on bags). On a flight to Washington DC, that third security inspection might be even more thorough.

As mentioned above, the airport is absolutely gigantic. Expect some seriously long walks as you transit through it, so allow plenty of time.

Slate, it's reasonable. I flew IAH to BUD through Istanbul a dozen times over the years and made several 1 hour connections. Never missed a connection there, but it can happen. I also on a few ocassions took the last flight into IST, spent the night at the Yotel Hotel next to the gates and flew into Budspest (BUD) well rested the next morning. Turkish Air, great airline, IST great airport.

This is on single ticket.