Getting Out of İzmir Airport

İzmir Adnan Menderes is a straightforward airport, but the first ten minutes after landing are where most confusion happens — particularly on a first visit or a late arrival.

Where the driver waits

Your driver waits in the international arrivals hall, past passport control and baggage reclaim, holding a board with your name on it. You do not need to call ahead or go looking in the car park.

Before you come through

Passport control and baggage reclaim can take a while at busy times. There is no need to hurry or to worry that the car has gone: the driver knows your flight and is waiting for that flight, not for a clock.

If you cannot find the driver

It happens, usually when several flights land at once. Send a WhatsApp message rather than walking further into the terminal — it is much faster to locate each other by phone than by wandering.

Domestic arrivals

If you are connecting through Istanbul and arriving on a domestic flight, say so when you book. The domestic and international halls are separate and the driver needs to know which one to stand in.

Late-night landings

Public transport from the airport thins out considerably at night and stops altogether in the small hours. If you are landing after midnight, a pre-booked transfer is not a convenience but the practical option.