When you visit an airport, you expect to pay high prices at concessions, including for food and drinks. However, not all airports are created equal when it comes to pricing, and there’s a surprising airport where I most consistently see complaints on this topic. I thought it would be interesting to talk about that for…
Continue reading: Istanbul Airport’s Jaw-Dropping Food & Drink Prices: Why, Though?!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Also, randomly, you cannot get a Coke (or Pepsi) in the Turkish Airlines lounge (which is otherwise excellent)
There's definitely some weird commercial arrangements going on behind the scenes here.
Shops know that you will come parched and famished after that 45+ min taxiing and 30min walk from arrival gate to transit customs in that mess of an airport.
Coca Cola products were removed in some sort of a weird boycott because Coca Cola does business in countries Turkey doesn't like (while they're very cool with Russia of course). It's quite pathetic to inconvenience your customers because of your dubious political orientation, especially when you're trying to be a truly global airline.
IST is great as long as you have a lounge access and absolutely terrible if you don't.
USD40 to access IGA Lounge for 3 hours (if one doesn’t have lounge access through other means) doesn’t sound too bad then.
Allegedly the rent for these shops in the airport is ridiculously high and the price reflects this. In general Istanbul has gotten absurdly expensive.
Nor can you get sparkling water (just some weird Turkish soda water brand), champagne or any spirits. Other than some of the food it’s a poor lounge these days trading on previous reputation, it’s also so busy at peak times that perhaps that’s why cafes in IST charge so much as I’d probably rather sit in one…
I can tell you this, its cheaper than Antalya airport. Feeding a family there will cost more than the plane ticket.
I think part of it is driven by the Russian money, Istanbul prices are gradually converging with Dubai as the nearest place that is happy to except any and every sanctioned Russian whilst they remain locked out of most of Europe.
I agree it’s become one of those odd cities where there’s lots of poverty but you can find yourself paying the same price as Paris / London / New York for food and drink in certain areas (not just in tourist trap places).
A minimum of research (think, Google?), retrieves plenty of articles from reasonably reliable sources outlining long lists of reasons and arguments behind the prices. Some of which are up for debate, naturally, but most of which add up. Coupled with the notorious Turkish business opportunism, it all makes perfect sense.
The same goes for souvenirs. I bought some pestemels (Turkish bath towels) for around 180 TL (3.25 Euros) in Carrefour in a shopping centre. 100% cotton. The same ones were being sold at IST for 29 Euros!
@ Jakob OG -- If we're looking at the same reputable stories on Google, they don't really answer my question of why, though. I see explanations like having to pay customs duties on imports and the cost of infrastructure investments at the airport, though it's not clear how that differs from other global hubs. Furthermore, when items are priced in foreign currencies, it's not clear to me why the Lira's devaluation would cause prices to be inflated so much.
So is the answer simply "notorious Turkish business opportunism," or what am I missing?
I visited Turkey last year for the first time since 2019 and was shocked with how much more expensive everything had become.
I will.not be returning anytime soon
Was in Turkey a year ago. A lot of businesses that deal with tourists don't want lira, they want euros. Their inflation at the time was supposed to be running around 90%. The inflation rate could be why the airport's euro prices are so high.
Then again, if you need to fly from Ashgabat (ASB) to Benghazi (BEN), who else are you going to fly?.......
In two weeks I will departing ASB on Flydubai ASB-DXB !
Wonder if part of this has to do with a brand spanking new airport/terminal leading to high operating costs and need to generate revenue to service the bonds or make some ROIs resulting in higher rent or leases for concessions?
Some projects the taxpayers pick up a bigger share of the tab so those renovations costs do not get rolled down to the businesses that operate at the airport (airlines, concessions, rental companies, etc.) however some projects they justify the investment via revenue generation.
I have traveled through IST several times and visited Istanbul, I think prices at airport are much higher that makes you hold purchases at the airport. I am not sure if it helps the vendors. Fair price will encourage travelers to use IST again. Turkish Airlines must look into it to win its passengers
I remember that during the per opening Tour of the Airport we were told that the consortium of conpanies who build the Airport have 25 or 30 years to bring back the costa through revenue. The ownership of the Airport will then change to the government. That’s why you see quite Creative ways to charge for premium Internet, pay for golfcart Transfers. The Shops and Restaurants were always overpriced but Inflation us responsible for the latest high.
My mum missed a connection there last year after having been sent to the exit instead of the connection security checkpoint by an idiotic member of staff. She had 105 minutes between flights and the inbound had arrived on time. It's sheer madness!
Incidentally, I am pretty certain that TK refused to rebook her in the circumstances (although she wasn't in the mood for leaving the airport so I redeemed an award for her to fly LX with a further connection first thing in the morning instead of waiting for 24 hours until the next flight to her destination).
I connect there several times a year, I never experienced too much of walking. All gates are within 15-20 mins from the central pier. If you have mobility issues, book an assistance. For everyone else it's well within the normal walking distance.
The TrueDispatch list conveniently omits Zurich Airport, where buying breakfast is usually a credit score-altering event 😛
US airports are extraordinarily expensive. A sandwich at Pret A Manger LAX was $14, in Hudson’s $8 for a bottle of water and $12 for a small bag of m&m.
I don’t find London airports that expensive and perhaps 10% more than outside the the airport.
Meanwhile Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Haneda are very reasonable.
Anyone who eats at Burger King or Popeye in Turkey deserves to pay those prices and more
Wait 15 years and see what prices are then. A meal at Burger King will be 45 euro.
What I could gather from a cursory lookup is the following:
- It appears the airport is the largest privately owned in the world with very low reliance on governmental subsidy, pressure on profitability is therefore a key driver.
- In fact, IGA owning the infrastructure has in recent years had to increase its annual payoff substantially to the Turkish government (following a cut in payments in 2019), which is primarily passed on to TAV (management company of outlets) and the outlets (rental etc.).
- Indeed there were also repeated significant investments in 2023 & 2024.
- The inflation will be felt on any operational expense (of the airport) which is international in nature, which is likely to be important for IST, and which will also be passed on to revenue generating sources at the airport.
- Lastly, it would appear the prices quoted on social media (and often sensational in nature) are at the upper end of the price range effectively found at the airport, and what's reflected in the comparisons may be subject to nothing else than heavy bias.
It was thus at IST some 20 years ago and I have no idea why. Not much competition for transfers in the region, perhaps. EU airports & even American routing offers more options.
The fact that most people can walk for half an hour at a time doesn't mean that it's a good idea to design airports around such a limit. My first visit to the new IST airport was for a 2-hour connection. The flight was on time, I am pretty sure there was no security control, and the connection was departing from two gates down the hall. I only managed half an hour in the lounge due to stressing over about the walk back to where I had come from (I obviously hadn't been familiar with the airport and I hadn't been timing the distance on the way to the lounge). On the other hand, when I have a 2-hour connection at BRU, I spend more like 80-90 minutes in the lounge.
Cannot believe no one has mentioned the famous IST $6 banana. Although that was a year ago, so maybe it’s $7.50 by now.
Airports in Japan have very reasonable price, similar to what you can find in town
Another plus for Japan
We stayed Landside in June. It was high, but not that high (less than 1/2 these prices). I expect the issue is that TK layovers can be long and many people can't leave the airport. That captive audience can be gouged for all that they are worth. It is the higher cost of low airfare at work.
Besides high lira inflation, foreign currency exchange rates are artificially suppressed by the Turkish government. For example, the YTL-USD Fx rate today is +/-41:1. Most analysts suggest it should actually be at least 50, if not 55-60. The Euro is similarly suppressed.
So you didn't actually read the article which talks (and demonstrates) that IST pricing makes US pricing look reasonable in comparison. Thanks so much, now fly closer to the sun.
It’s the rent. (Or ‘contribution to airport costs if self operated). Well mostly. To make back the exhorbitant costs of the build in a specific period of time, the sq ft cost there is on par with some of the most expensive in the world. Imagine running a McDonalds in the BurjKhalifa at a penthouse level kind of rent. So prices are charged accordingly.
There are some other fee and tax issues but generally its passed on cost of operations and companies are still happy to rent there given the huge locked in market
I wish more airports would do as PDX does and require the concessions to charge street prices (or at least close to that).
A modest upcharge is probably justified - an airport restaurant may be buying food that is more expensive because of additional pre-prep, for example a bag of pre-diced fruit instead of whole fruit what with the restrictions on knives and such. I can’t see how those prices listed in this article aren’t seen as straight up gouging.
Just because there are no direct flights from the EU to Russia doesn’t mean Russians are locked out. They make their way around, no problem, if they want to. Plenty of European countries where they can still fly direct and connect.
Not true, food at Swiss airports is roughly in line with the country prices, not more expensive which is quite convenient.
For example, a coffee at Prunier Caviar House in Zurich Airport is 5.50 chf and 5.90 chf in Geneva Airport...so that's less than 7USD in a premium restaurant. Also there are supermarkets close to the check-in area with regular Swiss prices.
Flights from Russia to Europe are limited to, I think, Belgrade and Minsk. Certainly not plenty.
USA is always a rip off and staff expect tips for simply looking at a customer. Anyhow who eats American trash such as Burger King in Turkey ? In comparison with the rest of the world most airports in the US charge significantly more.
Meanwhile in ORD: Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Chicago Dog at O’Hare?
Had a 6-hour layover at ORD and decided to find the best value Chicago-style hot dog in Terminals 2 and 3.
Quick stats:
- Price range: $6.99 to $17.95
- Average price: About $9.56
- Only one includes fries: Cubs Bar & Grill
- Wait times: Most are quick, but Connect to Chicago had a 30 min wait for a dog
ORD Terminal 2 & 3 Chicago Hot Dog Value Challenge
- $10.75 – O’Brien’s (To-Go or Sit Down) – T3 L Gates
- $7.20 – Rush Street (To-Go or Sit Down) – T3 H Gates
- $9.79 – Gold Coast Dogs (To-Go) – T3 H Gates
- $17.95 – Cubs Bar & Grill (Sit Down) – T3 G Gates Includes fries
- $7.25 – Reggio’s (To-Go) – T3 G Gates
- $6.99 – Connect to Chicago (To-Go or Sit Down) – between T2 & T3 30 min wait
- $6.99 – Home Run Inn (To-Go) – T2 E Gates
I grabbed one from Home Run Inn, but not before putting together this price chart.
Ho Chi Minh’s airport also has outrageous prices, the airport ain’t new and ain’t fancy (ranked 248/250 for worlds best airports), so they can’t even use rent prices as an excuse. A bowl of pho is normally less than $2, airport price $15-$20, Burger King is around $30. They have one water fountain which takes around 10 mins to fill a single bottle and half the time it’s out of service. But good news, they have almost finished building a new airport (long overdue), which has zero public transport links and the only road to reach it has massive traffic congestion and currently takes 3-6 hours to reach from the city center (post opening it will be dramatically worse). Istanbul is comparatively competitive.
Turkish airports have always been expensive. I flew Dalaman airport in 2009 and a Big Mac meal was £25 GBP or $37 USD. It was by far the most expensive meal we had on the entire trip by some margin
I'm going to guess places like Burger King and Popeyes are very popular with passengers connecting to/from the former Soviet Union in IST. IST is basically functioning as Russia's main international gateway at this point.
Neighbouring Greece have a price cap on bottled water, 50 or 60 cents for half a litre I believe. And commendably that also applies at airports beyond security.
That's amazing. I just bought an $8 bottle of water at PHL a few days ago (using an airline voucher - otherwise I would have filled up my own bottle for free).
Flew into and out of HCMC airport last week. This is absolutely inaccurate. Traffic into and out of city might be bad but absolutely not 3-6 hours
Check your sources…
Seems like a great reason to avoid connecting at Istanbul and hence Turkish Airlines. I wonder if that's what they really want to achieve.
@ThrewAwayBrain
You only managed half an hour in the lounge due to stress?!?! Oh, poor you. Here have a tissue..
In Europe I accidentally carried a bottle of water through with my backpack. They took it out, looked at it and let me keep it.
I was impressed.
We are usually Hungry after picking up the Baggage at IST. The Burger King at Baggage Pick up is a Rip Off! almost $35.00 for 2 whoppers and a Drink? I can wait till I get to Kuala Lampur in 3 months for BK.or wait till you get to Sissly(Istanbul) and you can have complete meals for $10.00
“Meanwhile in ORD: Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Chicago Dog at O’Hare?”
As a former Chicagoan, I love you for this comment. Platonically, romantically, and sexually.*
Hot dogs are heaven sent; this is even written in the Bible, Koran, and Talmud. And other holy books. All of them.
I’m going to have a hot dog now.
*I mean that in a not-creepy way, if that’s possible.
Glad someone has covered this, because it has been noticed by anyone who's travelled through there but not covered by any sort of media - because Istanbul is taking liberties. Best way is to vote with your feet, don't fly Turkish and don't go through IST - which is also frankly a terrible hub in other ways with it's long walking distances and unfriendly rude staff.
Once nice thing - you get a free meal voucher for every 5 hours of layover from Turkish Airlines. It automatically shows up in the app (or you can pick up a voucher in person at information desks.) (And it's not based on an amount of Euros, it covers a meal at specified spots.)
And there are only two semi-hidden water fountains in the whole airport (there was only one when it first opened). It is easy to feel forced to buy a drink.
The high prices are due to corruption. The retails spaces at airport were awarded with massive kickbacks and now they recover the same with high prices.
I was shocked at how cheap dining was at airports in Greece. I think I paid .5 euro for a bottle of water and 5 or 6 for a huge gyro at the Heraklion airport. The lounge in Athens had great food so I didn't buy anything there but recall it being cheap
Agree, I think it was $6 for a big Sapporo draft beer and the sushi is cheaper than what you'd pay at a restaurant in the US
I'm impatiently awaiting the day IST lands in my NoWorkAllTravel Airport Supermarkets article. Even SAW is on there...just like the ol' Atatürk Airport was.
It seems one problem with these concessions is that complaints or complaints, people are still paying those ridiculous rates. What is needed is an Asparagus Water (NYC circa 2015) movement.
Regardless, I'm always buying snacks for flights/layovers, even when there's ostensible lounge access.
Other Turkish airports have the same pricing issues. National policy for crazy concessions.
I don't think there is any justification but simply that they can get away with high prices and people still buy food. Perhaps it's because it's the world's most connected airport and they have a lot of long layovers? When one is very hungry or thirsty you're willing to pay more. I've only departed IST once and didn't notice as I headed straight to the lounge.
"What’s the justification for this pricing, though?" .... and your answer is not an answer or anything that any reader does not know...I also think it is interesting that people say they won't fly Turkish as a result, but if the airline has the best price or timing they still might AND it is not like a handful of people not flying Turkish will make a difference.
Wasn't this airport also ridiculously expensive to build? Maybe they are now pressured to make profit no matter what.
Having spent a week in Istanbul and surrounds I can assure you that ANY establishment, no matter what they are selling, is ripping you off if only accepting Euros. Hotels do it too, but are still good value if you mentally convert back to you home currency.
FYI, the Turkish lire (TRY) is the only official currency in Turkey. The government appears to turn a blind eye to this practice though.
A money tip: Take other currency (dollars, pounds, euros, yen) and change to TRY for your many everyday purchases at any of the change bureaus (doviz) dotted around the tourist areas. They are reputable and give better rates than the banks. Avoid airport ones of course.
As I mentioned elsewhere here, NEVER change money at banks or any 'official' chanels. Go to hole-in-the- wall change bureaus (doviz). They are everywhere, and give the best daily rate (take your passport for ID though).
Exactly! Anyone charging in Euros are effectively insulating themselves from the downward gyrations of the TRY. And making a handsome profit as well of course!
The rental costs are extremely high in Istanbul airport. The restaurants have to charge such high prices in order to cover their costs.
The rental cost is extremely high because the company that built and manages the airport has to recover almost 30 billion dollars within 10 years (I may be mistaken in the exact figures).
Forewarned is forearmed .
We are going through Istanbul in October , we will take snacks like a pack of cheese crackers or prepared sandwiches in our hand luggage. Security allow these from where we commence the journey .
Why pay those ridiculous prices.
In Heraklion airport , Crete last week we paid Euro 17- for one salami roll and one large Spanokopita ( spinach pie ) and 2 small bottles of water
Yes but if a passenger is in economy , they charge USD 110 per head to enter . Forget it
Less a reflection of Airport gouging than the results of macro-policies following through into the economy. Presidential interference over a protracted period in the operations and staffing of the Central Bank: “low interest rates results in lower inflation” has resulted in stubbornly high inflation (33.5% annual rate as at July) and a consequent depreciation of the currency (17.3% over the last 12 months). As such, higher Hard Currency prices are a hedge against incipient inflation and TRY depreciation. Similar to pre-Milei Argentina.
You travel to another country and insist on American, whether on biz or tourism. Why are you even traveling?
This is the kind of high quality contribution that I still read the comments section for.
Those prices are bonkers. I could eat cheaper at One Flew South in ATL than I could at an IST Popeye's.
It's not bias. Even little things like a bottle of water, or the capsule hotel, are the most expensive (by a large margin) of any airport I've ever seen in the world (and I've been to ~400).
The story I was told was that an Erdogan family member is getting $ from the new airport concessions...unsurprisingly, the domestic press is not eager to cover this.
What the author is missing is that despite the devaluation of the Turkish currency, there is a huge economical crisis in Turkey with very high inflation. So actually the prices elsewhere in Istanbul are not so affordable either. Although this airport has reached a new level it seems.