Airport Welcome — A Warm Start to Your Turkey Vacation

Your Turkey Vacation Begins at the Airport

For First-Time Visitors to Istanbul

You have been dreaming about your Turkey vacation for months, and your plane is finally touching down in Istanbul. But the moment you step into the terminal, the sheer size of the airport, signs in a foreign language, and the unfamiliar surroundings can turn your excitement into anxiety. This is exactly where Merry Tourism's welcome service steps in: a friendly face holding a name board at the exit, a professional team helping with your luggage, and a comfortable vehicle ready to take you straight to the hotel where your holiday begins.

Our welcome service is not just an airport transfer — it is a welcome-to-Turkey ritual. The first smile you see after customs, a warm "Welcome to your holiday" greeting, and practical tips on everything you need — where to buy a SIM card, where to exchange currency, what to expect at customs — all combine into an experience designed specifically for vacationers. We reduce travel stress to zero so that beautiful memories start from the very first minute.

Service Steps — How the Welcome Works

Name Board Meet and Greet

Merry Tourism's welcome service is a 5-step holiday kickoff process that activates the moment you make your reservation. Every step is designed to help tired tourists reach their hotel comfortably after a long flight.

• 1. Your flight is tracked in real time: From the moment you board your plane full of holiday excitement, your flight is monitored in our system. If there is a delay, early arrival, or route change, your driver is notified instantly — so you do not need to worry while still in the air.
• 2. Warm welcome at the customs exit: After passport control and baggage claim, we are waiting at the exit gate with a board displaying your name. For tourists visiting Turkey for the first time, the most comforting moment is seeing a familiar face — that face is us.
• 3. Luggage and practical assistance: While helping carry your suitcases, we point you to the best SIM card counters if you need one, and share information about currency exchange offices and ATM locations. We provide the practical support tourists need most during their first hours.
• 4. Switch to holiday mode in a comfortable vehicle: In our air-conditioned, clean Mercedes vehicle you can unwind with complimentary cold water and phone charging after your long flight. Your driver is one of the professionals who knows Istanbul traffic best.
• 5. Door-to-door delivery to your hotel: You are transferred directly to popular holiday areas such as Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadikoy, or Bodrum. We can also provide check-in time information for your hotel if needed.

IST vs SAW — Airport Comparison for Tourists

Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen?

Which airport you land at for your Turkey vacation significantly affects your first experience. Istanbul Airport (IST) is one of the world's largest airports, and its massive terminal can surprise first-time visitors. Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) has a more compact layout and is ideal for tourists heading to the Asian side. The table below compares the tourist welcome experience at each airport.

Airport Survival Guide for Tourists

SIM Card and Currency Exchange

The most common questions from tourists landing at Istanbul Airport for the first time are predictable: What will they ask at customs? How do I buy a SIM card? Where do I exchange currency? Knowing the answers to these questions makes your holiday start much smoother. Customs checks usually take 2-5 minutes; you will pass through without problems as long as your passport and e-visa are ready. Turkey's e-visa system offers online applications for citizens of most countries.

If you want to buy a SIM card, Turkcell, Vodafone, and Turk Telekom counters are available at the airport exit. Tourist SIM cards typically include 20-30 GB of data and 200 minutes of talk time, with prices ranging from use our quote tool for current prices. Your Merry Tourism driver may suggest buying a SIM card at a shop near your hotel instead — it is usually cheaper. For currency exchange, prefer exchange offices in the city center rather than airport bureaus; the rates are much more favorable. Card payments are widely accepted in Turkey, but it is useful to carry some cash TL for small vendors and taxis.

Premium vs Standard Welcome — The Right Choice for Your Holiday

CIP Terminal Welcome

Merry Tourism offers two welcome packages to suit different holiday budgets. The Standard package provides the essential comfort every tourist needs, while the Premium package includes extra perks for honeymoon couples, family vacationers, or those who prefer luxury holidays. Both packages guarantee a warm welcome-to-Turkey experience.

Stress-Free Arrival with Flight Tracking

One of the biggest worries when heading on vacation is flight delays: "Will my driver wait? Will there be extra charges?" Merry Tourism's automatic flight tracking system eliminates this concern entirely. Your flight number is entered into our system at the time of booking, and your aircraft's real-time position is matched with airline databases throughout its journey.

Even if your flight is delayed by an hour, your driver waits at the terminal and no additional fee is charged. In case of an early arrival, the driver positions at the greeting point as quickly as possible. This entire process is automatic — even while you are watching a movie or sleeping on the plane, the system keeps working. In rare cases such as terminal changes, your driver is redirected to the correct gate.

Meet & Greet and Transfer from IST and SAW to Taksim, Sultanahmet

Merry Tourism welcome service is available at Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). You are met at the customs exit with a name board; your driver handles your luggage and escorts you to the vehicle. Fixed-price door-to-door transfer is offered to hotels in Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy and Beşiktaş.

First-time visitors to Turkey can get brief guidance on customs, SIM cards and currency. The same service and price apply for night flights; no night surcharge.

What Happens After the Welcome?

After the meet & greet you are escorted to the car park, luggage is loaded, and you are transferred comfortably to your hotel. Child seats are provided free for families on request; we accept payment in EUR, USD and by credit card.

• Meet & greet with name board at customs exit at IST and SAW
• Luggage assistance and escort to vehicle; Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy, Beşiktaş
• Flight tracking with free waiting time on delays
• Free child seats; payment in EUR, USD and credit card
• Book via Check Availability or WhatsApp +90 537 040 68 22