Why Istanbul Airport Is So Expensive: A Comprehensive Guide for Tourists

Istanbul Airport, the primary gateway to Turkey, has become notorious as one of the most expensive airports in the world. Travelers frequently encounter an unwelcome surprise: prices for food, beverages, and essential items can be 2-4 times higher than at comparable European airports. For those traveling on a budget, this can significantly impact overall travel expenses.

The Scale of the Problem

A 2025 analysis by Corriere della Sera highlighted Istanbul Airport as the most expensive in Europe for food and drinks. The pricing differences are startling, especially for everyday items that travelers typically consider affordable:

• 🍔 Big Mac: €21.50 (approx. $23)
• 🍟 Burger King Whopper meal: €22-26.50
• 🍺 Efes beer: €17.50 (compared to €1.50 in the city)
• 💧 Fiji water (500ml): €6-9
• ☕ Starbucks coffee: €6-10
• 🥐 Croissant: €8-16.50
• 🍗 Four chicken wings at Popeyes: €17

When compared to other European airports, the discrepancy becomes even more obvious. For example, Frankfurt Airport charges €4.75 for water, and Berlin €5.90, versus Istanbul’s €6. These differences extend to nearly all types of food, beverages, and even basic necessities like toiletries.

Additionally, these high prices often surprise passengers who expect Turkey to be an affordable destination. Visitors may feel a sense of “sticker shock,” which can detract from their travel experience, particularly during long layovers or extended delays.

Why Are Prices So High?

Several intertwined factors contribute to Istanbul Airport’s high pricing:

1. Massive Infrastructure and Operating Costs

Istanbul Airport is one of the largest airport construction projects in the world, with a total cost exceeding €26 billion across all phases. Its first construction phase alone required €10.25 billion. The airport operates under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, with İGA holding a 25-year concession.

This means that all operational, maintenance, and debt-related expenses must be covered by revenue generated on-site. Vendors, knowing this financial reality, often raise prices to cover their own operational costs while contributing to the airport’s overall financial obligations. This factor alone explains much of the high pricing structure, as it ensures that investors recover their substantial capital investments over time.

2. Turkey’s Economic Crisis and Inflation

Turkey has been grappling with persistent economic instability and inflation. In 2023, the annual consumer price inflation reached 64.77%, following a peak of nearly 85% in 2022. Such extreme inflation affects all operational expenses, including labor, utilities, and the cost of imported products.

Many vendors price items in Euros rather than Turkish Lira to mitigate the impact of currency devaluation. This pricing approach ensures that revenue is more stable and predictable but contributes to the perception of exorbitant costs for international travelers.

3. Import Dependencies and Supply Chain Costs

Istanbul Airport serves as a major international hub, meaning most goods—especially luxury items, brand-name foods, and beverages—are imported. Each imported item must pass through rigorous security and customs checks, which increases logistical costs. When combined with the Turkish Lira’s weakness against major currencies, these supply chain expenses are directly reflected in higher prices for passengers.

4. High Concession Rents and Revenue Sharing

Vendors at Istanbul Airport face minimum annual guarantees (MAGs) or revenue-sharing agreements with the airport operator. Essentially, this requires them to pay a substantial fixed amount or a percentage of sales regardless of how many customers they serve. To ensure profitability under these conditions, vendors pass these costs directly onto consumers, driving prices upward.

Operators like TAV Operation Services and Avolta (formerly HMSHost) must maintain high-profit margins while meeting guaranteed payments, creating a natural incentive to charge premium prices for food, beverages, and other products.

5. Limited Competition and Price Regulation

Unlike airports in countries where pricing is closely monitored, Turkey’s airport concession market has minimal regulatory oversight. The combination of private ownership and limited competition inside the airport creates an environment where vendors can set prices primarily based on profit potential rather than market fairness. Once passengers are past security, they are effectively a captive audience, leaving them with few alternatives but to pay the higher prices.

Strategic Pricing in Foreign Currencies

One of the most impactful pricing strategies is the widespread use of Euros instead of Turkish Lira. This serves multiple purposes:

• 💶 Currency protection: Vendors shield themselves from the volatility of the Turkish Lira.
• 💰 Profit maximization: International travelers typically carry stronger currencies, so pricing in Euros allows for higher revenue.
• ⚙️ Operational simplicity: Constant inflation in Lira would require frequent price adjustments, which are avoided with Euro-based pricing.

This means that even though Turkey may generally be affordable for tourists in city centers, the airport remains an expensive environment.

Impact on Tourism

Istanbul Airport’s high costs can have broader implications for Turkey’s tourism image. Many travelers experience the airport as their first and last point of contact with the country. Feeling overcharged or taken advantage of at the airport may leave negative impressions, potentially deterring return visits and reducing favorable word-of-mouth recommendations.

The issue is particularly significant given Turkey’s position as a major international transit hub. Millions of travelers, many of whom are connecting passengers, encounter high prices even if Turkey is not their final destination.

Limited Options for Passengers

While the airport management highlights options for various budgets—such as vending machines and free water stations—these alternatives are often scarce, inconvenient, or still overpriced. The airport’s massive scale, with terminals spread over large distances, makes avoiding purchases difficult during long layovers, delayed flights, or when traveling with children and elderly family members.

Travelers should be prepared for these conditions and consider preparing snacks, bringing refillable water bottles, and allocating extra funds for food and drink within the airport.

Additional Tips for Budget-Conscious Travelers

• 🥪 Bring your own snacks: Compact, non-perishable items can save both money and time.
• 💧 Reusable water bottles: Fill them at water stations to avoid buying expensive bottled water.
• 🍽️ Research dining options: Some restaurants near gates may have lower prices.
• 📱 Use airport apps or online resources to check menus and prices before purchasing.
• ⏰ Plan for layovers: Allocate enough time to explore cheaper options outside premium zones if possible.

Conclusion

Istanbul Airport’s high prices result from a combination of massive infrastructure costs, economic instability, import dependencies, high concession fees, and Euro-denominated pricing strategies. While operators argue these prices are standard for major international hubs, travelers often find the airport experience notably expensive compared to other airports worldwide.

Being aware of these factors allows tourists to better plan and manage expenses, ensuring a smoother travel experience. Whether by preparing snacks, using refillable bottles, budgeting carefully, or selecting dining options wisely, travelers can reduce the financial shock and enjoy a more comfortable visit.

By understanding the reasons behind the high costs, tourists can approach Istanbul Airport with realistic expectations and make informed choices to minimize spending without compromising comfort.