LAX-IST/Visa Question
Nov 10, 2011 | 6:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Posts: 180
LAX-IST/Visa Question
This question is based on my staying in Turkey and not being in transit at the IST airport. I want to know if those that have made the LAX to IST trip obtained their visa to enter Turkey here in the US before the trip, or at IST airport upon arrival. It is my preference to obtain the visa at ISTairport for a $20.00 fee, intead of spending $100+ to obatin the visa here before the trip. However, since I am traveling on UA/LH metals, don't know if they'll let me board the outbound plane without a turkey visa stamp in my passport.
Thanks in advance for any helpful info you can give me.
Thanks in advance for any helpful info you can give me.
Nov 10, 2011 | 6:26 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Three years ago as a US citizen I got my visa on arrival. Pay the cash and get the stamp. Piece of cake. You can look up your specific situation via the TIMATIC interface here: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...t/default.aspx.
Nov 10, 2011 | 6:54 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Nov 10, 2011 | 7:01 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Central Florida
Programs: Bonvoy-Gold, HH-Gold, UA-Gold, *A-Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 2,046
I corroborate sbm12. I have done the "get the visa at the embassy" and "get the visa sticker at the airport".
Visa at the embassy: don't remember the cost, but had to go to the Turkish embassy on 1st Ave near the UN (not convenient by subway). Took almost 10 calendar days. I forget the cost, not expensive. You have to leave your passport obviously; fill at an application, get a letter, blah, blah, blah.
Visa Sticker at the airport: Easy Peasy. They take American Dollars. Took all of 2 minutes, you hand over money, they stick visa sticker in your passport. Done.
- HF
Visa at the embassy: don't remember the cost, but had to go to the Turkish embassy on 1st Ave near the UN (not convenient by subway). Took almost 10 calendar days. I forget the cost, not expensive. You have to leave your passport obviously; fill at an application, get a letter, blah, blah, blah.
Visa Sticker at the airport: Easy Peasy. They take American Dollars. Took all of 2 minutes, you hand over money, they stick visa sticker in your passport. Done.
- HF
Nov 10, 2011 | 7:08 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UA 1K 3MM, UA 1P/1K since mid '80s; CO Bronze/Silver since mid 80's, Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,279
I go to IST all the time via UA and LH, as recently as five months ago. If you have a valid USA passport you do not have to have a visa in order to get on the plane. The visa is easy to get. Upon arrival just stop at the windows just before the immigration queues. Have a $20 bill in hand and you'll be on your way.
Nov 10, 2011 | 8:19 am
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA Plat/1.5MM, AA PltPro, B6 M4 25for25, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 7,335
If you do get questioned by the agent, just tell them that you are getting a visa on arrival. Should not be an issue.
Nov 10, 2011 | 4:37 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AA,DL,BA,UA,SPG, and any other free trip!
Posts: 1,803
quick Tip
upon reaching the passport control area, swerve to the left and get your visa ($20USD cash only)......and then mozy on over the line...........dont wait to get to the window for passport control or else they will point you to get the visa at the other window ( out of the line) and then you'll be back in line ......again
Nov 16, 2011 | 10:34 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ayr, Scotland
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, BA EC Silver, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 228
I think people get confused because the terminology is inexact - it's not really a visa, it's a travellers tax. There are no conditions, no checks, no paperwork - just rock-up with cash and they will happily take it 
Enjoy Istanbul - it's one of the most amazing cities in the world.
Enjoy Istanbul - it's one of the most amazing cities in the world.
Nov 7, 2012 | 5:46 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,443
Nationals of the US, the UK and Australia, and many other places, fall into the first category and so can travel to Turkey without a visa but must pay to obtain a sticker in their passport on arrival at the airport in Turkey before they proceed to passport control. Nationals of New Zealand fall into the second category. And so on.