Transferring/Transit at Istanbul Atatürk airport
Nov 11, 2018, 3:09 pm
#961
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Flying into IST from US to transfer internationally to Rome...have a 2 hour layover Friday evening. Any chance we are going to have time to hit a lounge before our flight to Rome? Assuming we don't go through Customs/Immigration...but based on what I'm hearing in this thread, it could take an hour to go through security check-points at IST?
It's a 13 hour flight into IST so I was hoping to hit a lounge before heading to Rome...
Thanks in advance!
It's a 13 hour flight into IST so I was hoping to hit a lounge before heading to Rome...
Thanks in advance!
If it’s a shower you want, go downstairs, the wait is often shorter there.
Nov 11, 2018, 6:22 pm
#962
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,224
No security? I saw some contradicting info that it depended how you departed the arrival plane in IST...we both have Priority Pass so looking to use the CIP or HSBC lounge...
Nov 12, 2018, 3:19 am
#963
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Yes...but if you’re confused enough to take a few wrong turns at IST as well, then you may find yourself in the security line by your own fault.
That info is either wrong or you misunderstood what context this could happen in.
I’m not familiar with PP, but am not sure it will cut it at the TK CIP lounge, sorry.
I saw some contradicting info that it depended how you departed the arrival plane in IST
...we both have Priority Pass so looking to use the CIP or HSBC lounge...
Nov 12, 2018, 8:37 am
#964
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,857
Even if you have to clear boarding pass and transfer security checks to get to the departure level, you will have plenty of time to visit the lounge (any lounge that will accept your PP - I have no knowledge of this) with a scheduled 2 hour layover.
Nov 12, 2018, 9:06 am
#965
Join Date: May 2000
Location: HFA
Posts: 1,712
I hope you realize you won't be allowed into the Turkish Airlines CIP lounge. I'm not familiar with other lounges at IST, but I would keep my expectations low.
Shuly
Nov 12, 2018, 10:49 am
#966
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: TK E/*G, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 151
Assuming the poster is not traveling in J which is why he is mentioning PP? My favorite PP lounge at IST is the primeclass lounge (opposite end of TK lounge), though depending on gates and what not, you may not have much time there. I'd skip the HSBC lounge, it's tiny and the food and alcohol provided are fairly unimpressive.
Nov 12, 2018, 12:56 pm
#967
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,224
Yes...but if you’re confused enough to take a few wrong turns at IST as well, then you may find yourself in the security line by your own fault.
That info is either wrong or you misunderstood what context this could happen in.
I’m not familiar with PP, but am not sure it will cut it at the TK CIP lounge, sorry.
That info is either wrong or you misunderstood what context this could happen in.
I’m not familiar with PP, but am not sure it will cut it at the TK CIP lounge, sorry.
Whether or not you have to go through security when you transfer at IST does depend on the origin of your arrival; arrivals from the US are usually spared, but this can be erratic at times, and as mentioned, you can easily find yourself in the wrong path and end up at security. It's usually not a big deal, and will only add a few more minutes, that's all.
I hope you realize you won't be allowed into the Turkish Airlines CIP lounge. I'm not familiar with other lounges at IST, but I would keep my expectations low.
I hope you realize you won't be allowed into the Turkish Airlines CIP lounge. I'm not familiar with other lounges at IST, but I would keep my expectations low.
Assuming the poster is not traveling in J which is why he is mentioning PP? My favorite PP lounge at IST is the primeclass lounge (opposite end of TK lounge), though depending on gates and what not, you may not have much time there. I'd skip the HSBC lounge, it's tiny and the food and alcohol provided are fairly unimpressive.
Thanks everyone!
Nov 13, 2018, 9:00 am
#968
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: TK E/*G, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 151
I honestly haven't checked out the Comfort Lounge and I believe Comfort Lounge II was just added as a PP lounge. Unsure when you're flying out, but I plan to check them out the following Sunday and can report back.
Primeclass is spacious though and has a ton of seating, so even in crowded times you should be good to go. They also have showers, but I haven't tried them out so can't comment on quality or cleanliness.
Primeclass is spacious though and has a ton of seating, so even in crowded times you should be good to go. They also have showers, but I haven't tried them out so can't comment on quality or cleanliness.
Nov 13, 2018, 12:24 pm
#969
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,224
I honestly haven't checked out the Comfort Lounge and I believe Comfort Lounge II was just added as a PP lounge. Unsure when you're flying out, but I plan to check them out the following Sunday and can report back.
Primeclass is spacious though and has a ton of seating, so even in crowded times you should be good to go. They also have showers, but I haven't tried them out so can't comment on quality or cleanliness.
Primeclass is spacious though and has a ton of seating, so even in crowded times you should be good to go. They also have showers, but I haven't tried them out so can't comment on quality or cleanliness.
Nov 13, 2018, 2:09 pm
#970
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 180
I'm planning to fly from Madrid to Belgrade with a stop in Istanbul. There is a flight that departs at 12:15PM and lands in Istanbul at 6:35PM. Flight from Istanbul to Belgrade departs at 7:50PM (so a layover of 1 hour 15 minutes). Should I be concern with missing this flight? The other option is to leave Istanbul the next morning at 8:20AM (so a 14 hour layover).
Nov 13, 2018, 2:49 pm
#971
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I'm planning to fly from Madrid to Belgrade with a stop in Istanbul. There is a flight that departs at 12:15PM and lands in Istanbul at 6:35PM. Flight from Istanbul to Belgrade departs at 7:50PM (so a layover of 1 hour 15 minutes). Should I be concern with missing this flight? The other option is to leave Istanbul the next morning at 8:20AM (so a 14 hour layover).
But seriously, if your flight into Istanbul is on time, the connection window is fine - though not fine enough you can hang about!
Dec 9, 2018, 5:24 am
#972
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYT/YYC/TPE
Programs: AC SE, UA, National Exec Elite, Nexus, GE
Posts: 1,810
My family will be flying into IST on Jan 5th at 6:10 am and our connecting flight is 14 hours later (fingers crossed that TK operations isn't transferred to new ISL Airport by then). If we check our luggages at the originating airport straight through to our final destination, will we need to claim them at IST (we are planning to join the tour)?
Also, can we go to the CIP lounge first (we are flying business class), put our carry-on in the storage lockers, then leave the lounge and clear customs to join the tour, and then retrieve our carry-on from the CIP lounge just before our departing flight?
We appreciate anyone sharing their insights or prior experiences. Thanks in advance.
Also, can we go to the CIP lounge first (we are flying business class), put our carry-on in the storage lockers, then leave the lounge and clear customs to join the tour, and then retrieve our carry-on from the CIP lounge just before our departing flight?
We appreciate anyone sharing their insights or prior experiences. Thanks in advance.
Dec 9, 2018, 5:30 am
#973
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,456
No problem at all to check through on such layover.
Personally, I'd say the chance that luggage gets lost on LONG layovers like this is slightly larger (it's stored somewhere, rather than directly transfered) so make sure to have enough clothes in your carry-on.
You CAN store your stuff at the CIP lounge and head back, but this will require an additional security check (if arriving unclean) - if arriving clean, no extra check (you'll need to head back - one level down - through security in the wrong way, then pass through regular arrival immigration) BUT it's officially not allowed. But considering the amount of people using the CIP lounge, I doubt they'd notice.
The weekend 5th/6th weekend is one of the most busy times in IST, by the way. I've done the transfer at those dates before 2 times, IST is even more a zoo than usually on that weekend. (Holidays in Europe ending)
Personally, I'd say the chance that luggage gets lost on LONG layovers like this is slightly larger (it's stored somewhere, rather than directly transfered) so make sure to have enough clothes in your carry-on.
You CAN store your stuff at the CIP lounge and head back, but this will require an additional security check (if arriving unclean) - if arriving clean, no extra check (you'll need to head back - one level down - through security in the wrong way, then pass through regular arrival immigration) BUT it's officially not allowed. But considering the amount of people using the CIP lounge, I doubt they'd notice.
The weekend 5th/6th weekend is one of the most busy times in IST, by the way. I've done the transfer at those dates before 2 times, IST is even more a zoo than usually on that weekend. (Holidays in Europe ending)
Dec 9, 2018, 5:52 am
#974
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYT/YYC/TPE
Programs: AC SE, UA, National Exec Elite, Nexus, GE
Posts: 1,810
No problem at all to check through on such layover.
Personally, I'd say the chance that luggage gets lost on LONG layovers like this is slightly larger (it's stored somewhere, rather than directly transfered) so make sure to have enough clothes in your carry-on.
You CAN store your stuff at the CIP lounge and head back, but this will require an additional security check (if arriving unclean) - if arriving clean, no extra check (you'll need to head back - one level down - through security in the wrong way, then pass through regular arrival immigration) BUT it's officially not allowed. But considering the amount of people using the CIP lounge, I doubt they'd notice.
The weekend 5th/6th weekend is one of the most busy times in IST, by the way. I've done the transfer at those dates before 2 times, IST is even more a zoo than usually on that weekend. (Holidays in Europe ending)
Personally, I'd say the chance that luggage gets lost on LONG layovers like this is slightly larger (it's stored somewhere, rather than directly transfered) so make sure to have enough clothes in your carry-on.
You CAN store your stuff at the CIP lounge and head back, but this will require an additional security check (if arriving unclean) - if arriving clean, no extra check (you'll need to head back - one level down - through security in the wrong way, then pass through regular arrival immigration) BUT it's officially not allowed. But considering the amount of people using the CIP lounge, I doubt they'd notice.
The weekend 5th/6th weekend is one of the most busy times in IST, by the way. I've done the transfer at those dates before 2 times, IST is even more a zoo than usually on that weekend. (Holidays in Europe ending)
I think to make things easier, we'll just check our luggages straight through and clear immigration and customs with our carry-on then just pay to store them landside.
Dec 9, 2018, 8:56 am
#975
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 246
Thanks for the info. Yeah, I knew the risks of transferring that weekend, just hoping the New ISL Airport won't also enter the equation.
I think to make things easier, we'll just check our luggages straight through and clear immigration and customs with our carry-on then just pay to store them landside.