Originally Posted by
ISTFlyer
TK is still offering their transit hotel offering in Y if you are taking the shortest ever possible connection that day but if you are traveling in the near future, you wouldn't be able to benefit from it as passengers arriving from or have been to South Africa within the last 14 days are not allowed to enter Turkey. Unless this changes, you would need to remain airside during your entire layover.
Thanks for pointing out that travellers from South Africa are not allowed into Turkey without quarantine. I can also rule out a shorter connection with Pegasus since that would mean changing airports.
10 hours to Istanbul, 13 hours transit, 5 hours to Bishkek. Sounds like a journey from hell! But there don't seem to be better options. At least I can drink - or are TK still a 'dry' airline? I flew in May and no alcohol was served.