Istanbul Airport Named the Most Expensive in Europe

In April 2025, Italy's Corriere della Sera conducted a shocking price analysis and found that Istanbul Airport has become the most expensive in Europe — and possibly the world — for food, beverages, and basic goods. According to journalist Leonard Berberi, the new Turkish hub, though hailed as a logistical marvel, is a “restaurant nightmare,” where passengers face prices up to 10 times higher than in the city or other major European airports.

Menu Madness: Big Mac for €21.5, Water for €9

Examples of staggering markups include:
- Efes beer: €17.5 (vs. €1.5 in the city)
- Fiji water: €9
- McDonald’s Big Mac: €21.5
- Whopper at Burger King: €22
- Starbucks coffee: double the price compared to Italy

Even vending machines are no safe haven, with basic bottled water starting at €3. Travelers report spending hours searching for semi-reasonable deals, with limited success.

The airport operator, iGA Havalimanı İşletmesi, defended the prices, stating they are “comparable to leading global airports” like Amsterdam and Frankfurt. However, the company offered no transparency on revenue or vendor policies.

How Does Istanbul Compare?

Compared to Istanbul:
- Berlin: water €5.9
- Frankfurt: €4.75
- Brussels: €4.6–5.7
- London Luton: €4.5
- Italy: €1.5–2.8

Espresso in Istanbul reaches €9; croissants range from €16.5–17.5; and sandwiches up to €16.5. In contrast, on board budget airlines like Ryanair or easyJet, water and snacks are significantly cheaper — highlighting the absurdity of airport pricing.

Why Are Prices So High?

The Corriere report cites three main reasons:
- Extremely high retail rent fees
- Lack of competition inside terminals
- Captive customer base with no alternatives

With many contracts excluding competition and premium brands replacing affordable options, passengers often pay more for a sandwich in transit than they would in a full-service restaurant downtown.

A Call for Regulation?

The case of Istanbul Airport raises pressing questions: Should airport pricing be regulated? With no EU-wide oversight and passengers trapped behind security, public pressure — like this report — may be the only catalyst for reform.