IST connection - VISA?
Apr 27, 2015 | 5:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
IST connection - VISA?
this autumn i'm planning a trip to italy. turkish airlines has the best fares both econ and business from ORD. however, have to connect through IST. my question, will i need to get a VISA just for passing through the airport?
Apr 27, 2015 | 9:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA, AS, UA, BA, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,075
As long as it's all on the same ticket, no. Even if it's on different tickets, probably not, but I don't know that one for sure.
Apr 27, 2015 | 10:14 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,795
I don't think so, IST has sterile transfer
Transfer / Transit Passenger
http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/.../Transfer.aspx
I didn't enter nor need VISA as Canadian ($60 USD fee) during my last transfer YYZ-IST-ICN (INTL-to-INTL)
Transfer / Transit Passenger
http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/.../Transfer.aspx
I didn't enter nor need VISA as Canadian ($60 USD fee) during my last transfer YYZ-IST-ICN (INTL-to-INTL)
Apr 28, 2015 | 12:25 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,933
FT is not the place to ask about visa's
http://www.staralliance.com/en/servi...sa-and-health/
http://www.staralliance.com/en/servi...sa-and-health/
Apr 28, 2015 | 3:37 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
I don't think so, IST has sterile transfer
Transfer / Transit Passenger
http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/.../Transfer.aspx
I didn't enter nor need VISA as Canadian ($60 USD fee) during my last transfer YYZ-IST-ICN (INTL-to-INTL)
Transfer / Transit Passenger
http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/.../Transfer.aspx
I didn't enter nor need VISA as Canadian ($60 USD fee) during my last transfer YYZ-IST-ICN (INTL-to-INTL)
Apr 28, 2015 | 4:02 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
I don't think so, IST has sterile transfer
Transfer / Transit Passenger
http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/.../Transfer.aspx
I didn't enter nor need VISA as Canadian ($60 USD fee) during my last transfer YYZ-IST-ICN (INTL-to-INTL)
Transfer / Transit Passenger
http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/.../Transfer.aspx
I didn't enter nor need VISA as Canadian ($60 USD fee) during my last transfer YYZ-IST-ICN (INTL-to-INTL)
Apr 28, 2015 | 9:38 pm
#8
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Apr 28, 2015 | 9:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Castro, San Francisco, California
Programs: UA, DL, AA, Aegean Air, Cal Alumni (go Bears!)
Posts: 594
No visa req'd in IST for Int'l transit
I did this a few months ago with an ongoing flight to ATH. They direct you to a transit lounge and you never go through passport control, avoiding the visa. If you have a few hours, its worth it to leave the airport and go see the Agia Sofia or Grand Bazaar. Americans only have to pay 20 unless they've raised the fee recently. And its granted on the spot.
Apr 30, 2015 | 12:34 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1K (Star Alliance Gold) IHG Platinum
Posts: 226
I did this a few months ago with an ongoing flight to ATH. They direct you to a transit lounge and you never go through passport control, avoiding the visa. If you have a few hours, its worth it to leave the airport and go see the Agia Sofia or Grand Bazaar. Americans only have to pay 20 unless they've raised the fee recently. And its granted on the spot.
This is true - I like to fly Turkish because the IST lounge is so awesome. It's easy and as mentioned, even if you needed a visa, it's simple. Unfortunately, I have yet to leave the airport, but maybe some day my layover will be long enough.
Apr 30, 2015 | 1:48 am
#11
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Can confirmed no visa is required - have transited through IST "n" times, next one in 2 weeks.
May 29, 2015 | 9:49 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Blah Airlines Executive Beige, DYKWIA Uranium, TX Propane Commission Blue Flame of Valor
Posts: 7,276
May 30, 2015 | 1:22 pm
#13
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I did this a few months ago with an ongoing flight to ATH. They direct you to a transit lounge and you never go through passport control, avoiding the visa. If you have a few hours, its worth it to leave the airport and go see the Agia Sofia or Grand Bazaar. Americans only have to pay 20 unless they've raised the fee recently. And its granted on the spot.
In these cases, it's wise to have the exact change in the required currency just in case something happens, such as a missed connection, and you want to use visa on arrival to enter the country.
At IST, the procedure that I've used is to hand your passport and a nice new USA twenty dollar bill to the guy at the visa window. The passport is handed back with the "visa" stamp and you go on your way. Just check that you've received the right passport back.
May 30, 2015 | 1:37 pm
#14
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Is it now 20 Euros rather than US$20 for USA passports?
In these cases, it's wise to have the exact change in the required currency just in case something happens, such as a missed connection, and you want to use visa on arrival to enter the country.
At IST, the procedure that I've used is to hand your passport and a nice new USA twenty dollar bill to the guy at the visa window. The passport is handed back with the "visa" stamp and you go on your way. Just check that you've received the right passport back.
In these cases, it's wise to have the exact change in the required currency just in case something happens, such as a missed connection, and you want to use visa on arrival to enter the country.
At IST, the procedure that I've used is to hand your passport and a nice new USA twenty dollar bill to the guy at the visa window. The passport is handed back with the "visa" stamp and you go on your way. Just check that you've received the right passport back.
Jun 1, 2015 | 4:15 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Blah Airlines Executive Beige, DYKWIA Uranium, TX Propane Commission Blue Flame of Valor
Posts: 7,276
Is it now 20 Euros rather than US$20 for USA passports?
In these cases, it's wise to have the exact change in the required currency just in case something happens, such as a missed connection, and you want to use visa on arrival to enter the country.
At IST, the procedure that I've used is to hand your passport and a nice new USA twenty dollar bill to the guy at the visa window. The passport is handed back with the "visa" stamp and you go on your way. Just check that you've received the right passport back.
In these cases, it's wise to have the exact change in the required currency just in case something happens, such as a missed connection, and you want to use visa on arrival to enter the country.
At IST, the procedure that I've used is to hand your passport and a nice new USA twenty dollar bill to the guy at the visa window. The passport is handed back with the "visa" stamp and you go on your way. Just check that you've received the right passport back.