Transferring/Transit at Istanbul Atatürk airport
Dec 6, 2017, 7:01 pm
#796
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,584
the thread is about transfers & transit, not taking a taxi please
Wait a Er, minute...........792 entries into practical advice on "transferring & transit in IST" & potjernik suggests going in town?? I won't even debate the merits of this (ridiculous) point. Its in the wrong place.
Dec 6, 2017, 8:45 pm
#797
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,449
There was a time when I would have suggest too heading into town for a longer layover. Sadly, those times are over..
Dec 6, 2017, 9:37 pm
#798
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Dec 7, 2017, 8:15 am
#799
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bit of everywhere these days
Programs: TK Elite Plus LH Senator (yes, two *A programs. Go figure)
Posts: 103
Why? With the new road, access to the city is much faster. Unless you're thinking of security issues.
Dec 7, 2017, 6:00 pm
#800
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: ANA SFC (*G)
Posts: 528
Hello.
I am *G flying with Turkish next January. I have a long layover (almost 8 hours) in IST and was thinking about visiting the city at nigh and having dinner somewhere in the city. My flight arrives around 6pm so I don't qualify for the Turkish tours.
I read that IST immigration and customs takes a lot of time but being *G that might help (?) to cut times. Anyway, wife is Japanese so she doesn't need a visa, but I am from Spain and would need to apply for those e-visas. What do you recommend? Any tips?
Where can store my hand luggage during the layover? (After security? Or should I storage it in the *G Lounge?)
Do you recommend getting cash? I was thinking that using Uber and a credit card to pay for dinner would be enough, and in case of emergency I could just get cash at any ATM in the city.
What do you recommend me to visit at night?
Thank you!
I am *G flying with Turkish next January. I have a long layover (almost 8 hours) in IST and was thinking about visiting the city at nigh and having dinner somewhere in the city. My flight arrives around 6pm so I don't qualify for the Turkish tours.
I read that IST immigration and customs takes a lot of time but being *G that might help (?) to cut times. Anyway, wife is Japanese so she doesn't need a visa, but I am from Spain and would need to apply for those e-visas. What do you recommend? Any tips?
Where can store my hand luggage during the layover? (After security? Or should I storage it in the *G Lounge?)
Do you recommend getting cash? I was thinking that using Uber and a credit card to pay for dinner would be enough, and in case of emergency I could just get cash at any ATM in the city.
What do you recommend me to visit at night?
Thank you!
Dec 8, 2017, 5:53 pm
#801
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 145
I've never done the short visit to the city myself, but I think it's doable. I'd suggest leaving your hand luggage in the TK *G lounge. They have lockers. Most places accept credit cards, but cash is always best. The airport has ATMs.
With a 8-hr. layover, I'd leave at least 2hrs. grace to return the airport. So, with 5.5 - 6hrs. to spare, I'd say you have plenty of time to visit various parts of the city for sightseeing and a meal. The museums might be closed, but the architecture, sights, smells, and Bosphorus views are great.
- Taksim, Sultanahmet, Bebek, Ortaky. Lots to see and do. To be safe, plan for 50min each way
- Atakoy. Not much, but some malls, shops and restaurants, right by the marina. Only 15min each way
Stay close to the main public areas and don't let strangers chat you up (like any big city, anywhere) - Enjoy!
With a 8-hr. layover, I'd leave at least 2hrs. grace to return the airport. So, with 5.5 - 6hrs. to spare, I'd say you have plenty of time to visit various parts of the city for sightseeing and a meal. The museums might be closed, but the architecture, sights, smells, and Bosphorus views are great.
- Taksim, Sultanahmet, Bebek, Ortaky. Lots to see and do. To be safe, plan for 50min each way
- Atakoy. Not much, but some malls, shops and restaurants, right by the marina. Only 15min each way
Stay close to the main public areas and don't let strangers chat you up (like any big city, anywhere) - Enjoy!
Dec 10, 2017, 8:24 pm
#802
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: ANA SFC (*G)
Posts: 528
I've never done the short visit to the city myself, but I think it's doable. I'd suggest leaving your hand luggage in the TK *G lounge. They have lockers. Most places accept credit cards, but cash is always best. The airport has ATMs.
With a 8-hr. layover, I'd leave at least 2hrs. grace to return the airport. So, with 5.5 - 6hrs. to spare, I'd say you have plenty of time to visit various parts of the city for sightseeing and a meal. The museums might be closed, but the architecture, sights, smells, and Bosphorus views are great.
- Taksim, Sultanahmet, Bebek, Ortaky. Lots to see and do. To be safe, plan for 50min each way
- Atakoy. Not much, but some malls, shops and restaurants, right by the marina. Only 15min each way
Stay close to the main public areas and don't let strangers chat you up (like any big city, anywhere) - Enjoy!
With a 8-hr. layover, I'd leave at least 2hrs. grace to return the airport. So, with 5.5 - 6hrs. to spare, I'd say you have plenty of time to visit various parts of the city for sightseeing and a meal. The museums might be closed, but the architecture, sights, smells, and Bosphorus views are great.
- Taksim, Sultanahmet, Bebek, Ortaky. Lots to see and do. To be safe, plan for 50min each way
- Atakoy. Not much, but some malls, shops and restaurants, right by the marina. Only 15min each way
Stay close to the main public areas and don't let strangers chat you up (like any big city, anywhere) - Enjoy!
Dec 12, 2017, 12:16 am
#803
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Bit of everywhere these days
Programs: TK Elite Plus LH Senator (yes, two *A programs. Go figure)
Posts: 103
If first time in Istanbul, just go to Sultanahmet area where Agia Sophia is.
Dec 12, 2017, 1:06 am
#804
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: ANA SFC (*G)
Posts: 528
Yes, there is a special section for *G at the immigration, which makes process easy. Just look for it, it is near the main immigration section and it is easy to miss.
It is more practical to store it in luggage storage than in the lounge. The storage is on the far right side after you exit from the customs. Note, you can only pay with cash for the storage.
Get cash. Ubers are not working well in Istanbul, it is mostly Uber limo and not readily available. Taxis don't really take cards. There are ATMs on the right side after you exit immigration, on your way to luggage storage/
If first time in Istanbul, just go to Sultanahmet area where Agia Sophia is.
It is more practical to store it in luggage storage than in the lounge. The storage is on the far right side after you exit from the customs. Note, you can only pay with cash for the storage.
Get cash. Ubers are not working well in Istanbul, it is mostly Uber limo and not readily available. Taxis don't really take cards. There are ATMs on the right side after you exit immigration, on your way to luggage storage/
If first time in Istanbul, just go to Sultanahmet area where Agia Sophia is.
Dec 12, 2017, 3:43 am
#805
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,573
Quick Q - arriving off an SQ flight in J (award ticket) connecting to TK on a cash ticket - would I get access to the TK lounge if I book Y on the basis of my incoming BP or do I need to be in J on the outbound as well?
Dec 12, 2017, 4:09 am
#806
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,581
You need to be in J on the outbound or have Star Alliance Gold status.
Dec 12, 2017, 1:15 pm
#807
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: PVD
Programs: Rapid Rewards, WorldPerks
Posts: 465
Hi, all --
I'll be transferring in IST for the first time at the end of next week on BUD-IST-ORD with a 1:40 layover.
What should I expect in terms of transit time? Will I have to go through transit security? I assume I will have to get to the IST-ORD gate a little early to answer the security questions for US-bound flights.
Thanks!
I'll be transferring in IST for the first time at the end of next week on BUD-IST-ORD with a 1:40 layover.
What should I expect in terms of transit time? Will I have to go through transit security? I assume I will have to get to the IST-ORD gate a little early to answer the security questions for US-bound flights.
Thanks!
Dec 13, 2017, 5:48 am
#809
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Hi, all --
I'll be transferring in IST for the first time at the end of next week on BUD-IST-ORD with a 1:40 layover.
What should I expect in terms of transit time? Will I have to go through transit security? I assume I will have to get to the IST-ORD gate a little early to answer the security questions for US-bound flights.
Thanks!
I'll be transferring in IST for the first time at the end of next week on BUD-IST-ORD with a 1:40 layover.
What should I expect in terms of transit time? Will I have to go through transit security? I assume I will have to get to the IST-ORD gate a little early to answer the security questions for US-bound flights.
Thanks!
There is security check at the gate - passport check, destination address for the first night (US requirement) unless collected n BUD, hand baggage check. So yes - be earlier at the gate.
PS. Address info not is needed if you are an EU citizen or Green Card holder.
Dec 13, 2017, 6:22 am
#810
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,122
No security as you arrive from an EU country and Turkey (unilaterally) honors EU security.
There is security check at the gate - passport check, destination address for the first night (US requirement) unless collected n BUD, hand baggage check. So yes - be earlier at the gate.
PS. Address info not is needed if you are an EU citizen or Green Card holder.
There is security check at the gate - passport check, destination address for the first night (US requirement) unless collected n BUD, hand baggage check. So yes - be earlier at the gate.
PS. Address info not is needed if you are an EU citizen or Green Card holder.