tht

I have had to make a last minute booking down to NZ, so my only option was:

LHR (TG F 747-400)-BKK- 4 hour layover -AKL(TG C 777-200/300)-BNE (NZ C 320-100/200)-BKK (TG F A340-600)-18 hour daytime layover-IST(TK F 777-300ER)- 15 hour daytime layover - LHR (TK C 737-800)

I understand my lounge options in LHR... not so good, but when I am in BKK can I use the First lounge for a massage? (I am only in C to AKL, but there is not F on my flight)

What lounge can I use in BNE, the SQ one?

Can I use the TG F lounge when I am waiting for my TK F flight?

Any ideas for what to do in BKK for a day (I have never left the airport there before)?

Same for a day in IST?

In connection to the above 2 questions, what the best plan for my bag, I only fly carry on, and on the way out I will take all my bags on, coming back I want to either carry on and leave my "Carry on" at left luggage, or check it so I only have my small bag to carry around in BKK and IST. Could I check in the bag hours early at each airport before I go to look around town. Is there an arrivals lounge at either BKK or IST for F pax?

Any pointers or advise would be gratefully received.

Also does nay one have the number to call to book food or seats on TG? I tried the ones on teh UK website last week and never got off hold, is the a number for PAX in First?

Thanks,

tht

Mr H

In BKK you will get the massage because you are arriving in TG first and continuing on with TG metal.

I have no idea what to do in BKK for a day - it's not a city I love. In IST, you have many options. Get a taxi to Sultanahmet and get a guide book. You could go for the mosques, bazaars and Turkish baths or you could get a boat up the Bosphorus. Seriously, get a guide book. The price is small compared to the lost opportunity of failing to make the most of your time in one of the world's nicest cities. No idea about left luggage, sorry.

Bon chance with TG - when they are good, they can be very good...

Kiwi Flyer

At BNE you have a choice between SQ & NZ lounges.

TK F from BKK can use TG F lounge, but not the spa.

At IST there is the nice TK lounge. If weather is reasonable I'd spend the day around the golden horn area. Plenty to see & do (enough for several days).

sbm12

Agreed on both counts. I actually enjoyed the regular TK lounge much more than the facility they put F pax in. Yes, the F lounge is smaller and more intimate but it also has crappier views (none versus big windows in the main lounge), no computers and otherwise just wasn't as pleasant IMO. The hard liquor selection was better, I believe.

NoY

There are planty of things to do in Bangkok for a day - it's a fantastic city. Pick up a long tail boat and tour the Chao Praya river and it's canals - go to the floating markets. Visit the Royal Palace - beautiful. Visit Jim Thompsons house for great silks/shopping. Go to MBK - a fabulous mix of local shopping/international shopping and touristy goods of all shapes and sizes (some good, some not!). Eat fantastic Thai food - anywhere & everywhere. Get a massage/manicure/pedicure. Or just wander the streets around Silom/Pat Pong/Sukhumvit - best way to see any city is on foot! Enjoy.

nth_utsera_sth_utsera

+1 ^. The Royal Palace is a feast for the eyes. The traffic in Bangkok is usually terrible, so factor in around 60-90 minutes to / from the airport. I've always used Siam Resorts Limousines for airport transportation and found them to be very reliable. It'll cost around THB 900 (GBP 17) each way.

As you're flying TK F into IST, you should be able to ask them to provide you with the complimentary limo service - they're usually happy to do this even if you're in transit. Go to Sultanahmet and take in Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. Head to Pandeli for lunch (about 15-20 mins walk from Sultanahmet), followed by a stroll around the Grand Bazaar. It should take no more than 40 minutes to get to / from IST airport.

monahos

No, but the F arrival escort will drive you to the regular lounge (F in BKK, C in TK) upon request (F lounge in IST is departure-only). Be warned that the shower facilities at the TK C lounge in IST are on the primitive side (plastic curtains, poor drainage, particleboard shelves, disposable paper 'towels').

Hmm, I'd say 'might grudgingly deign to' instead of 'happy to' for award F pax in transit these days... If not, a taxi to Sultanahmet costs >30TL, and given the early arrival time from BKK, the nearly empty Blue Mosque will be a very nice experience indeed. Be aware, for your return, that taxi drivers lurking in Sultanahmet are not known for their honesty.

As a general comment on your itinerary, I'd have tried to fly TG and TK out of their respective hubs for a better experience: the TG massage for one, but especially the food on TK, which is so much better ex-IST than returning from Asia, especially the Turkish choices.

Grounded again

I think you have all your answers needed except for the TG london phone "service". Unfortunately there is no premium phone line. Not even for TG gold flying in first. This is my biggest problem with them while I was living in london and needing to grab hold of them for any changes to my tickets. Their phone line seems to be always on hold. If I am lucky, I will only need to be on hold for 10mins. More often than not, it is about 30mins!

After a couple of times doing this, I learned the trick of using the speaker. Call them and just continue doing your work while waiting for somebody to answer the hold!!!

tht

Thanks all for the great advice...

Yes the phone service in London is shocking....

Only open question really is around checking bags over the 2 long stopovers.. BKK and IST (if any one has any experience) The ideal would be to check check my as I leave the airport in BKK and IST, but from experience that may not be possible so many hours in advance..

tht

Grounded again

Given your stopover is less than 24h, I believe that you should be able to check your bags all the way through.

But as with any such long wait, there is always a possibility of it being "forgotten" while in transit.

tht

Kind of want to shower when I get in and then check it before I head out in to BKK / IST.. but am packing very light in any case as the whole trip is only 7 days and it should be warm everywhere ex Europe that I am going.. But I did think about checking it from BNE onwards...

tht