Jul 21, 2015, 8:54 pm
Last edit by: ISTFlyer
It's strange this thread has no Wiki, so here it is, created 7/21/2015
PLEASE READ THE OP Post first
For case related questions ( ex: Am I eligible, etc... ) contact[email protected] first before posting your question here.
TK free hotel room rules:
Note:
- You still need e-VISA to enter Turkish for a Tour or Hotel. The prices vary by countries ($60 USD for Canadian, $20 for USA, etc...)
You can apply here at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Tour website is at http://www.istanbulinhours.com/
There are 3 tours offered (Schedule)
A Bosphorus cruise, with food and drinks, is available for business class passengers of more than 7 hour layover (€183 as of Nov. 2017)
Here's a list of the common hotels that are reported in this thread:
Marriott Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel (72% TripAdvisor – most common)
Akgün Istanbul Hotel (44% TripAdvisor–common – far from the airport)
Wow Airport Hotel (56% TripAdvisor–common - very close to airport)
DoubleTree
Wyndham İstanbul Petek (92% TripAdvisor)
Radisson Blu Conference & Airport Hotel (53% TripAdvisor)
Hilton Garden Inn
Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul International Airport
Gonen Hotel Istanbul
Pullman Istanbul Airport Hotel
PLEASE READ THE OP Post first
For case related questions ( ex: Am I eligible, etc... ) contact[email protected] first before posting your question here.
TK free hotel room rules:
A complimentary hotel accommodation (maximum 2 nights) will be provided to our valuable passengers when there are more than 10 hours (for economy cabin passengers) and 7 or more hours (for business cabin passengers) waiting during their international connecting flights due to Turkish Airlines’ schedule structure. However, if your destination can be reached by an alternative flight to your first flight and the waiting time is less, you cannot take advantage of the hotel service. This service is not applicable when there is a shorter connection available within the time frame mentioned above. The first and the connecting flights must be with Turkish Airlines. All passengers must hold a confirmed reservation for the first and the connecting flights. Complimentary accommodation will be arranged with Turkish Airlines’ corporate partners and will be provided through the “Hotel Desk” located after the customs’ check point at the arrival. Passengers must check for any visa requirements when entering Turkey. In the event where a visa is not granted, Turkish Airlines assumes no responsibility for providing complimentary hotel accommodation.
Note:
- You still need e-VISA to enter Turkish for a Tour or Hotel. The prices vary by countries ($60 USD for Canadian, $20 for USA, etc...)
You can apply here at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Tour website is at http://www.istanbulinhours.com/
There are 3 tours offered (Schedule)
- Tour 1 8:30am - 11am - Sightseeing Tour
- Tour 2 9am - 3pm - Tour
- Tour 3 9am - 6pm - Tour
- Tour 4 12pm - 6pm - Tour
- Tour 5 4pm - 9pm - Cultural Walk Tour
A Bosphorus cruise, with food and drinks, is available for business class passengers of more than 7 hour layover (€183 as of Nov. 2017)
Here's a list of the common hotels that are reported in this thread:
Marriott Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel (72% TripAdvisor – most common)
Akgün Istanbul Hotel (44% TripAdvisor–common – far from the airport)
Wow Airport Hotel (56% TripAdvisor–common - very close to airport)
DoubleTree
Wyndham İstanbul Petek (92% TripAdvisor)
Radisson Blu Conference & Airport Hotel (53% TripAdvisor)
Hilton Garden Inn
Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul International Airport
Gonen Hotel Istanbul
Pullman Istanbul Airport Hotel
FAQ 8: Free hotel/tour/cruise when connecting at IST
Sep 18, 2017, 3:53 am
#691
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Accra
Programs: Skywards Gold, TK Elite +, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 222
IIRC, The Gorrion Hotel is the closest 5* hotel to the airport. It took less than 2 mins to get there by cab as I didn't want to wait for the airport shuttle.
Sep 18, 2017, 1:20 pm
#692
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
I'll soon be transiting through IST again and qualify for free hotel. However, I'll be arriving on Sunday evening, which could be quite congested. ??, how long would the wait be at hotel desk? With 10 hours, this might be 1 of few occasions when it's worth paying hotel on your own so you can get to hotel ASAP, considering many decent hotels are under $50 USD.
Sep 18, 2017, 10:13 pm
#693
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
I'll soon be transiting through IST again and qualify for free hotel. However, I'll be arriving on Sunday evening, which could be quite congested. ??, how long would the wait be at hotel desk? With 10 hours, this might be 1 of few occasions when it's worth paying hotel on your own so you can get to hotel ASAP, considering many decent hotels are under $50 USD.
Tell them you'd be happy to get your own taxi, they took me up on that once and I was out of there in a heartbeat.
Oct 2, 2017, 9:37 am
#694
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,726
Is there any particular process for these, or is it just "show up and hope for the best"?
Also wondering if it's possible to walk around any part of the airport, airside, without paying for a visa? 10 hours, between two 10-hour flights, is a long time without a chance to stretch one's legs.
Oct 2, 2017, 12:17 pm
#695
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,454
Given the higher cost for Canadians to get a visa, I'd be just as happy to skip the hotel and get a few hours of sleep in one of the lounge rooms on my upcoming 4PM-2AM layover.
Is there any particular process for these, or is it just "show up and hope for the best"?
Also wondering if it's possible to walk around any part of the airport, airside, without paying for a visa? 10 hours, between two 10-hour flights, is a long time without a chance to stretch one's legs.
Is there any particular process for these, or is it just "show up and hope for the best"?
Also wondering if it's possible to walk around any part of the airport, airside, without paying for a visa? 10 hours, between two 10-hour flights, is a long time without a chance to stretch one's legs.
The lounge itself is big enough to stretch your legs, but of course you can walk around the terminal all you please. I'd say it's about 20min at leisure pace from one side to the other.
Oct 2, 2017, 7:51 pm
#696
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 40
Hi All,
I posted this in another thread but didn't get a definitive response.
I fly JFK-IST on TK12 arriving into IST at 17:25 and depart on TK730 the following morning at 02:10. Therefore there is an 8 hour and 45 minute layover.
The first segment is in business class but the second segment is in economy. Would I still be eligible for the free hotel?
I posted this in another thread but didn't get a definitive response.
I fly JFK-IST on TK12 arriving into IST at 17:25 and depart on TK730 the following morning at 02:10. Therefore there is an 8 hour and 45 minute layover.
The first segment is in business class but the second segment is in economy. Would I still be eligible for the free hotel?
Oct 7, 2017, 6:16 pm
#697
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1
Qualifications for tour
I'm hoping someone can help me determine if we will qualify for the free tour.
We fly from YYZ and arrive in IST on Nov. 1 at 4:15pm, and leave on our connecting flight through following day at 8:50 pm DEL, our layover is about 28hrs.
We are flying business class.
I'm not sure if we would qualify for the free tour as their site indicates layovers between 6-24hrs, but I've read in other places if the flights are intercontinental its extended to 48hrs.
I've tried emailing them, but their responses are far from helpful.
Any help would be appreciated.
We fly from YYZ and arrive in IST on Nov. 1 at 4:15pm, and leave on our connecting flight through following day at 8:50 pm DEL, our layover is about 28hrs.
We are flying business class.
I'm not sure if we would qualify for the free tour as their site indicates layovers between 6-24hrs, but I've read in other places if the flights are intercontinental its extended to 48hrs.
I've tried emailing them, but their responses are far from helpful.
Any help would be appreciated.
Last edited by pegster23; Oct 8, 2017 at 1:46 am
Oct 8, 2017, 12:00 am
#698
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SXE
Programs: QF LTG, VA Gold, BA Gold, HH, SFSC
Posts: 502
I'm hoping someone can help me determine if we will qualify for the free tour.
We fly from YYZ and arrive in IST on Nov. 1 at 4:15pm, and leave on our connecting flight through following day at 8:50 pm DEL, our layover is about 28hrs.
We are fighting business class.
I'm not sure if we would qualify for the free tour as their site indicates layovers between 6-24hrs, but I've read in other places if the flights are intercontinental its extended to 48hrs.
I've tried emailing them, but their responses are far from helpful.
Any help would be appreciated.
We fly from YYZ and arrive in IST on Nov. 1 at 4:15pm, and leave on our connecting flight through following day at 8:50 pm DEL, our layover is about 28hrs.
We are fighting business class.
I'm not sure if we would qualify for the free tour as their site indicates layovers between 6-24hrs, but I've read in other places if the flights are intercontinental its extended to 48hrs.
I've tried emailing them, but their responses are far from helpful.
Any help would be appreciated.
Oh, don't fight business class - resistance is futile.
Oct 20, 2017, 12:15 am
#699
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,586
New option for business class: Bosphorus cruise
Turkish Airlines (THY) on Thursday announced a new program called Istanbul Bosphorus Experience that is specially designed for the national carrier's business-class passengers.In a written statement, the airline said the program provides Bosphorus cruise tours to business-class passengers, who have a transfer time of seven or more hours in Istanbul before they continue their trip to their target destinations....
Oct 21, 2017, 7:52 am
#700
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JNB
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels
Posts: 1,307
It was like a trip to China a few years ago - a decent tour, good hotels and meals and all had for a song - had to be sponsored by the Government. (10 days in total).
But still, a very nice incentive. Now to get some clients who will stump up for J tickets when I do work for them.
Oct 22, 2017, 11:43 am
#701
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BKK,YYZ
Programs: Star Gold
Posts: 50
https://bosphorus.turkishairlines.com/
Oct 31, 2017, 9:40 am
#702
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,139
Wiki should be updated at the touristanbul website shows 5 scheduled tours, not 3, including one from 8:30am to 11am (Sightseeing tour) and another from 16pm to 21pm (Cultural walk tour).
Oct 31, 2017, 10:37 am
#703
Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BRU
Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 7,586
Nov 1, 2017, 7:36 am
#705
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JNB
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels
Posts: 1,307
Not free. 770 TL or 180 euros, "a price exclusive to our Business Class passengers"
https://bosphorus.turkishairlines.com/
https://bosphorus.turkishairlines.com/
Thought it was too good to be true. But that price seems very high. See how many will take them up on that offer.