Istanbul 'New' Airport ( IST/ISL ) - Master Thread ✈️
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
As me and mafaky has introduced this discussion in the past, the first official news about the failing VDGS system is now in the press. Turkish aviation news website 'Airporthaber' has stated that only the VDGS ( Visual Docking Guidance System ) at domestic gates are working without issues. Currently aircrafts are parked to international gates with the help of marshalers or they try to park to an estimate spot without assistance.
#140
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
For those interested in the non-TK lounge, the UK based points and miles site, Head for Points has just published a comprehensive review of the IGA lounge.
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
From Topkapı ( Ulubatlı Metro Station ): Havaist bus İST-1
From İstiklal Caddesi ( Taksim ): Havaist bus İST-19
For schedules: hava.ist
All buses run 7 days 24 hours
#143
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 380
The new airport is actually very nice.
I flew through there a few weeks ago and here are some thoughts.
The airport is stunning architecturally. It's a really beautiful design and didn't come off as particularly user-unfriendly.
The concessions are basically all up and running. Due to the fall in the Lira, they also seem like pretty reasonable value in international terms, though they aren't in Istanbul terms of course.
The Havaist buses are actually very convenient. They run frequently and are very good value. The airport really does need to setup a better system though in helping tourists as the website is really not setup to help those who don't know the city. Even a few maps would help a visitor know better where to go. They routes aren't on Google maps which is another issue. The staff also speak pretty good English as the airport and termini.
Though the man at the IST Havaist booth did try to con me out of 50 Lira. I gave him 50 and then he said I had to pay for the card. I told him strongly that I'd already given it to him and he backed down and said he'd 'forgot'. I wonder how many people a day he does con though. IDK, maybe I am being unfair - but I've seen this done in several countries.
Hopefully the airport can work on the niggles with the buses. A bit more clarity in information would be really helpful for foreigners who don't know much about the districts of Istanbul.
On Istanbul, what a lovely city. I can't believe it's taken me this long to visit. Definitely recommended.
I flew through there a few weeks ago and here are some thoughts.
The airport is stunning architecturally. It's a really beautiful design and didn't come off as particularly user-unfriendly.
The concessions are basically all up and running. Due to the fall in the Lira, they also seem like pretty reasonable value in international terms, though they aren't in Istanbul terms of course.
The Havaist buses are actually very convenient. They run frequently and are very good value. The airport really does need to setup a better system though in helping tourists as the website is really not setup to help those who don't know the city. Even a few maps would help a visitor know better where to go. They routes aren't on Google maps which is another issue. The staff also speak pretty good English as the airport and termini.
Though the man at the IST Havaist booth did try to con me out of 50 Lira. I gave him 50 and then he said I had to pay for the card. I told him strongly that I'd already given it to him and he backed down and said he'd 'forgot'. I wonder how many people a day he does con though. IDK, maybe I am being unfair - but I've seen this done in several countries.
Hopefully the airport can work on the niggles with the buses. A bit more clarity in information would be really helpful for foreigners who don't know much about the districts of Istanbul.
On Istanbul, what a lovely city. I can't believe it's taken me this long to visit. Definitely recommended.
#144
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
I will be staying at Hilton Garden Inn Ataturk in a few weeks, arriving and departing from the new airport. Do any of the bus services stop anywhere near the hotel? I've seen starting points and end points but can't find info on where they stop en-route. Thanks for any guidance!
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
I will be staying at Hilton Garden Inn Ataturk in a few weeks, arriving and departing from the new airport. Do any of the bus services stop anywhere near the hotel? I've seen starting points and end points but can't find info on where they stop en-route. Thanks for any guidance!
#146
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, VS Red, HH Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Basic, Alitalia Status Match
Posts: 1,173
Municipality bus H-1 departs from Mahmutbey Metro to Istanbul Airport and municipality bus H-4 departs from the arrivals level of Atatürk Airport to Istanbul Airport. They are both close to Hilton Garden Inn near the old airport. A taxi to Mahmutbey Metro to/from the hotel would cost ₺10 ( around $1.50-2.00 )
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
Thanks @ISTFlyer. You know everything IST, TK and general Istanbul!
#148
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 239
I swear I saw from https://hava.ist/en/stops there is an airport bus going to/fro Sultanahmet at Atmeydani Cd. road. Hence I book my hotel super near the stop.
However when I check again today, there seems to be no Sultanahmet stop. I don't suppose they pull it out as it's such a popular and touristy location. Could anyone tell me what's wrong?
However when I check again today, there seems to be no Sultanahmet stop. I don't suppose they pull it out as it's such a popular and touristy location. Could anyone tell me what's wrong?
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
I swear I saw from https://hava.ist/en/stops there is an airport bus going to/fro Sultanahmet at Atmeydani Cd. road. Hence I book my hotel super near the stop.
However when I check again today, there seems to be no Sultanahmet stop. I don't suppose they pull it out as it's such a popular and touristy location. Could anyone tell me what's wrong?
However when I check again today, there seems to be no Sultanahmet stop. I don't suppose they pull it out as it's such a popular and touristy location. Could anyone tell me what's wrong?
You could see the appropriate schedule here:
https://www.iett.istanbul/tr/main/ha...Durakları
The times with X followed by would be the ones starting at Sultanahmet.
#150
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 239
I think that's an issue after the website has introduced a new interface.
You could see the appropriate schedule here:
https://www.iett.istanbul/tr/main/ha...Durakları
The times with X followed by would be the ones starting at Sultanahmet.
You could see the appropriate schedule here:
https://www.iett.istanbul/tr/main/ha...Durakları
The times with X followed by would be the ones starting at Sultanahmet.
Do you know how long does it take from Sultanahmet to IST if I were to take the 6.40am bus?