İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is the primary airport serving Turkey's third-largest city, İzmir. It is named after the Turkish Prime Minister during the 1950s, Adnan Menderes.
The airport is located in the Gaziemir district of the city, about 18 km southwest of the city center.
In 2024, ADB handled just over 11.5 million passengers, ranking the fifth busiest in Turkey after Istanbul’s two airports (IST and SAW), Antalya (AYT), and Ankara (ESB).
Major Airlines - SunExpress, Pegasus Airlines, Corendon Airlines
Izmir is a focus city for the Turkish national carrier and one of the largest airlines in the world, Turkish Airlines. However, it is by no means the airline with the most flights at ADB, as it only operates direct flights to its hub in Istanbul.
Most flights at ADB are served by three Turkish airlines that all use the airport as an operating base:
Corendon Airlines: A leisure airline offering many seasonal flights to cities in Western and Central Europe.
SunExpress: A Turkish-German airline that focuses on serving the international tourism market with regular flights to over 60 destinations from ADB.
Pegasus Airlines: A low-cost airline providing cheap connectivity to smaller (but not only) cities in Europe and Turkey.
Another Turkish airline with an established presence at ADB is AJet, while the British low-cost Jet2.com flies seasonally to select cities on the Albion.
Several foreign carriers offer scheduled flights to and from Izmir. Some of the most prominent ones are:
Aegean Airlines flies to Athens and seasonally to Thessaloniki.
Aer Lingus flies to Dublin.
Air Serbia flies to Belgrade during the summer months.
Saudia operates seasonal flights from Jeddah and Riyadh.
There are over 20 airlines at Izmir International Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates of ADB
Izmir Airport has two main terminals:
Domestic Terminal: Opened in 2014, it handles all domestic flights.
International Terminal: Opened in 2006, it manages international traffic.
There is also a general aviation terminal, which caters to business jets with a boutique service concept
Travelators connect the terminals. The walking distance between them is about 5 minutes. Note that this connection is landside.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Most of the flights arriving at Izmir are point-to-point flights. Thus, almost all connections at the airport are just 2 flights booked separately. No particular intricacies exist for such transit - just clear Security (and Immigration and Customs if arriving from abroad) and re-enter the airport for your next flight.
However, if both flights are booked under the same PNR by the same airline, you may remain in the international transit zone of the airport waiting for your next flight without the need to clear Immigration and Security twice.
Longer layovers may give you enough time to explore some of the best places in Izmir.
Note that if you arrive in Turkey from abroad, you will go through passport control at your first point of entry. For example, those flying Turkish to Istanbul with an onward connection to Izmir will complete Immigration procedures in Istanbul and arrive at the domestic terminal in Izmir.
Wi-Fi at Izmir Airport
The Wi-Fi throughout Izmir Airport is free. The network is called "TAV-FREE-WIFI".
To connect, you need an active phone number, even if not Turkish. You will need to enter your country code and phone number to receive an access code via SMS. If receiving it is not possible for one reason or another, use one of the kiosks at the airport to obtain an access code by showing your passport and boarding pass.
The wifi only allows you a 1-hour connection for free, after which you can reconnect using the same method above.
Services
Here are some of the services and facilities to help travelers at ADB:
Water fountains spread throughout both terminals, including after Security (very handy, given the 100 mL rule is in effect at ADB).
Porters/Baggage Carts are free of charge (although a security deposit is required).
Kids' Play Areas in both terminals and on both sides of the Security checkpoint.
Baby Care Rooms - 29 places in total, spread throughout both terminals.
Information Desks open 24 hours.
Currency Exchange Bureaus both before and after Security in the International Terminal.
Prayer Rooms: Two in each terminal. These are not faith-specific.
Luggage Deposit Service on the arrivals floor of the Domestic Terminal with prices between 130 and 550 TRY per day, depending on the size of the luggage.
Dining Options at ADB
With about 10 different restaurants, bars, and fast food outlets combined, Izmir Airport covers all bases, though it doesn’t present a wide variety of choices.
For a drink or to just casually sit down and have something light, the two options are the elegant and comfortable Brewmark in the Domestic Terminal, opposite Gate 237, or the gastro-sports bar Tickerdaze in the International Terminal, opposite Gate 229.
Coffee shops are covered by the likes of Starbucks and Need Stop in the Domestic Terminal, as well as Cafe Nero in the International Terminal, or Cakes & Bakes with an outlet in each terminal.
If you’re in a hurry, your best bet is to grab a flame-grilled burger from Burger King. You can find it after the second security check in the International Terminal or on the mezzanine floor, landside, in the Domestic Terminal.
Last but certainly not least, is the fine dining option which you can opt for at Tadında Anadolu - a gourmet restaurant serving authentic Anatolian cuisine in the airside of the Domestic Terminal.
Lounges at Izmir Airport
Turkish Airlines operates a premium CIP Lounge in the Domestic Terminal. Elite and Classic Plus passengers can enjoy the amenities for free, some of which include complimentary food and drinks, seating and charging points, plus direct access to the buses, which will take you to the plane.
There are also two Primeclass Lounges with open access, one in each terminal:
Domestic Terminal Primeclass Lounge: Located after the second security control and is open 24/7. Offers showers, among other usual amenities of an airport lounge.
International Terminal Primeclass Lounge: Is also open 24/7 and located on the airside of the terminal.
Priority Pass members can access these lounges.
Transport options at Izmir Airport
The most convenient ground transportation option serving the airport is the İZBAN commuter rail. The airport has its own dedicated station where trains arrive and depart every 10 to 20 minutes. It offers direct access to the city center and other areas of the region.
Turkish State Railways also runs about 14 trains daily via the airport station, going towards Basmane Terminal in Izmir to the north or towards Ödemiş and others in the south.
Non-rail public transport includes the ESHOT bus lines 200 (Mavisehir), 202 (Alsancak Cumhuriyet Avenue), and 204 (Bornova Izmir Metro), as well as the Havaş airport shuttle buses, which operate on set routes within Greater Izmir.
Other transport options include taxis, which are available 24/7 outside the terminals. Some taxis use meters, while others have set fares depending on the destination, which is why it’s best to confirm the cost before agreeing to a ride. As a ballpark figure, a trip to the city center of Izmir costs around 15 USD.
Lastly, you can find car rental companies’ representatives in the arrivals floor greeters’ hall in both the Domestic and International terminals. There are over two dozen companies that operate at the airport, both local and international.
Parking at ADB Airport
There are several parking options within the airport complex, with a total number of parking spaces exceeding 5000.
Two Multi-Storey Car parks, one near each terminal, offer the bulk of these spaces. Prices are the same for both - automobiles pay 120 TRY for the first hour, a little more for longer stays, all capped at 400 TRY per day.
Another 347 parking spaces are available at the Open Car Park. It is within walking distance of the terminals, and fares are a bit cheaper - 100 TRY for the first hour, capped at 360 TRY per day.
Valet parking is possible at both terminals, with 2 booths serving each. This service is provided by a subcontractor.
Hotels near Izmir Airport
The Tav Airport Hotel Izmir is located within the airport grounds. It offers convenient access to terminals and luxury rooms. It once won an award for the best airport hotel in the world!
You can also get a day room for either 3, 6, or 9 hours at the Tav.
Right outside the airport, just 300 meters from the entrance to the terminal, is the Orty Airport Hotel. It’s another practical choice to stay near ADB, though much more dated and in need of refurbishment works.
A bit further from the airport, though guaranteed to satisfy both business and leisure travelers, is the Svalinn Hotel. Clean rooms, comfortable beds, a nice ambience, and friendly, helpful staff make it a no-brainer for anyone wishing to stay close to the airport but receive a lot for their money.
Izmir, Turkiye
