Originally Posted by
st8dm
Hello there,
In OCT, Mrs & I have an overnight connection in IST.
Inbound THU2330, outbound FRI0830. We travel in J, I am *G.
First time ever in IST, first time with TK.
Q1) Best overnight hotel
Recommended hotels?
Prefer min 4*, rates max 200EUR.
[Status with Hilton, Marriot, Melia, Discovery, Radisson]
Please mind it's only for a few hours, so most hotel amenities won't make a difference.
Transfer time is essential, e.g. something within walking distance would be an instant win, even if not the best compared to city or even 3* would do.
Q2) Shuttle
Would it be possible to have a free shuttle from the hotel?
Q3) or TAKSI
If no free shuttle, can you please advise about airport taxi in IST? Is it expensive? Any tricks they pull (e.g. scheming tourists)? can you pay by card? Any info thread about it?
Q4) Luggage
This is a single ticket. I expect we do not have access to luggage. Can you please confirm we won't be forced to check-out/check-in our luggage?
Q5) Outbound. Security & Pass control times
does IST have a functional security gold track actually saving any time? or it's a ruse --- e.g. you're forced with other ECO pax (as in FRA)?
our outbound is long haul to the USA. I expect clearing passport & checking visas to take a while. If you have any tricks - I'll take them.
How long before we should arrive? 2h'd be enough, too long or too short?
As *G travelling in J, would you expect long queues?
Q6) Lounges
When do the lounges open? (please mind this is an outbound to US so let's relate to lounges located in that area)
If multiple options, which one would you recommend?
Q7) Overnight options in the airport?
Is there any overnight option in the airport e.g. 24x7 lounge, sleeping pods or anything like that?
Many thanks for all info.
Safe journeys!
Stefan
---
ig:@fct1a
Q1-Q3) As TK J passengers you do have a free hotel, included airport transfers with shuttle provided by TK if there is no TK flight to your destination between THU 23:30 and FRI 08:30. Ask the room at Sheraton Esenyurt, brand new Marriott hotel.
Minimum connection time is 9 hours when flying in business class onwards from IST. For 08:30 departure, shuttle pick up time would be 04:30 from hotel, that is fixed. Should you want to rest longer, you can opt out the return shuttle transfer and take a taxi or Uber by your own costs.
Airport taxi has fixed rates to several parts of Istanbul in case you refuse TK shuttle to hotel.
Q4) Your luggage would be checked until the destination airport but you can ask at the counter to check it until IST and then check again in IST before the flight.
Q5) When arriving, look special immigration entrance for business class and status passengers, Star Alliance Gold holders included. Your boarding pass will be checked to get the access. When coming from city/hotel shuttle, at departure level is entrance 5, prepare your boarding pass for check. If going only straight, you will pass pre-security, status check-in counter, passport control and primary security. All are designated only for business class flyers, passengers with corporate club and elite status. My last experience few weeks ago was around 5 minutes from entering to airport through entrance 5 to clear primary security control at 5AM.
Q6) TK lounges are open 24/7
Q7) In your case overnight options in TK lounges are only chairs, since you are not qualifying for sleeping rooms. No sleeping pods inside lounges.