Originally Posted by BLONDIEandDAGWOOD

Hi ISTFLYER,

I will be transiting IST twice in December.

2) A week later, I then fly back into IST on a Wed from my domestic trip and have a departing flight the next day to South Africa which needs a PCR test result certificate hard copy. (72 hours before departure). When landing from my domestic flight on the Wed, I was planning on taking the PCR test and then picking up the test certificate the next day prior to check-in. I will be able to show the testing center my itinerary for the next day, but won’t have a Boarding pass yet for the SA flight. Looks like test result tends to take 4 hours from start to finish, but I wanted to be safe and take it the day before on arrival from the domestic flight. Do you foresee any issues with that plan? Or are you sure one needs a boarding pass? The airline will not give me. Boarding pass for the SA flight without me showing the COVID test certificate.

Originally Posted by zeer0

For 2, you can get the covid test after landing in IST and picking up your baggage. The test is at arrivals level on the very right. I was not asked for a boarding pass, just had to pay $30. There are long lines usually, it took me more than 1 hour to get it done. Also, you are squeezed in like crazy, it's almost comical that by far the most crowded place in the airport is the covid line. They post the results electronically, so you can print your result at the hotel. Takes around 4-6 hours to receive the result.

Originally Posted by hfly

As was referenced in the other thread, if one can manage an EFT transfer beforehand to the coordinates given there, one can avoid most of the lines and waiting as the majority is centered around payment.

Originally Posted by BLONDIEandDAGWOOD

Hi Zeer, thank you for this. Incredibly helpful! South Africa requires a certificate signed by the practitioner, so I will need to collect a hard copy from the testing center and have them stamp or sign. I assume they can print me a copy in English? (Another requirement).

Originally Posted by BLONDIEandDAGWOOD

Hi hfly, thanks for this. Can you please send me the link to the other thread your referencing? I can’t seem to find it, but then again I am a dinosaur

Originally Posted by BLONDIEandDAGWOOD

Hi Zeer, thank you for this. Incredibly helpful! South Africa requires a certificate signed by the practitioner, so I will need to collect a hard copy from the testing center and have them stamp or sign. I assume they can print me a copy in English? (Another requirement).

Originally Posted by ISTFlyer

I am not sure if they stamp or sign but they could definitely give a copy in English.

Here is the other thread: Covid PCR Test at IST Airport

Originally Posted by zeer0

I just looked at my email and they sent a copy of the test in English. It also says under the test on the paper "Labarotary Supervisor ELİF YILMAZ GÜLEÇ Specialist". Here's a screenshot of what the bottom of the certificate looks like.

Originally Posted by BLONDIEandDAGWOOD

Thank you so much again ISTFLYER!

Originally Posted by pstm91

I will be flying out of IST in TK J, and my girlfriend and her mom will be on a different flight at about the same time but in economy. Is there any chance I can get them into the TK lounge with me?

Originally Posted by ISTFlyer

Do you have *G status?
Which airline is your girlfriend and her mom traveling on? Do they have status?

Originally Posted by pstm91

Apologies, obviously should have included that. That's what I get for rushing!
No status whatsoever with TK, just flying in business class.
They are also on Turkish and neither of them have status with them either.
I know it's a long shot but figured I might as well ask.