Larisa and I will visit Antalya in two weeks. I understand I can purshase a visa at the Istanbul airport. Larisa has been there but I have not. I arrive 5 hours before Larisa arrives, where do I purchase the visa when I arrive. Will I be able to wait for my Love at her gate or not? Any suggestion or comments.
We will be staying at the Sheraton, looks nice. Anybody been there before?Click to view attachment

I've been to Ataturk airport 3 times. Yes, you purchase the visa while there. If i recall, it is $20 cash for a US citizen.

If you arrive 5 hours before.............I am really not sure of any place to wait near her gate that would be comfortable for 5 hours...or even if you'd be allowed to. Once you get off the plane, depending on your gate, you walk down a corridor to the area where you purchase a visa. It is usually a short line...I've never had more than just a few people in front of me. It is not like waiting at JFK, and not as crowded. Then after you purchase the visa, you go to the passport control area nearby. Then you leave that area, and head toward the luggage. That area is quite large. You might want to wait there, only because if you leave the luggage area, you won't be allowed back in. So, if you leave, you'll have to wait with the crowd of people outside that door.(there's always a crowd of people waiting for relatives/friends outside of the luggage area). It appears you might be getting a connecting flight to Antalya. Hard to tell......so if you are, then you won't most likely even have to bother going to the luggage area.

Since my wife was always waiting for me in Istanbul, after I left the passport control area, I really never bothered to look around to see if after that point there is some place you can wait, maybe get a drink, etc...... There is a restaurant/ food court area, but not sure if you can get there from where you arrive. I only waited in that area when I was departing. If you CAN wait there (and again..I am not sure you could access it from after passport control)...then I'd wait there , maybe have a beer ....and meet her after she leaves the passport/visa area.

I stayed in Antalya for only a few hours during a trip through the Mediterranean area in the summer of 2005.(We also visited Bodrum, stayed overnight in Fethiye , and overnight in Kas......all of which are not too far from Antalya, just a couple of hours ) As I said, I did not stay in Antalya long , but from what I saw, it is a nice area, by the sea etc...

Have a nice trip. Looks like a great hotel.

You will LOVE it......Beautiful and stunning..!
Deepest of Culture... and soooooo Captivating!
Yes, I am ready to move!!


MPGGPM said it perfectly.

Enjoy your trip.
Debra