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
Jan 11, 2018, 6:42 am
#751
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: JNB
Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels
Posts: 1,307
Hi All
Have a 23 hours connection coming up in IST both inbound and outbound with TK. I am 100% sure I am eligible for the free hotel.
My problem is that I am a citizen from Cameroon and as such I do not know if immigration will let me go.
Anyone with experience with that ?
Have a 23 hours connection coming up in IST both inbound and outbound with TK. I am 100% sure I am eligible for the free hotel.
My problem is that I am a citizen from Cameroon and as such I do not know if immigration will let me go.
Anyone with experience with that ?
Jan 11, 2018, 2:29 pm
#752
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,454
The information given by roadwarrior is correct. Turkey is a bit of a "special" case since many Nationals that are otherwise getting anywhere without a visa will need one, while for "friendly" nations you dont need even a passport to enter (something which I happily use myself to avoid collecting entry/exit stamps in my passport)
So if your gouvernment is on good terms with the Erdogan regime, getting a visa / visa on arrival will be easy. Unfortunately I am not familiar with Cameroon/Turkish relationsship and at the moment things often change (see US citizens who were bared from entry for a while without notice)
When is your flight? If more than 3 months away I would give it some time (flight schedule could also still change)
I will try to follow up.
So if your gouvernment is on good terms with the Erdogan regime, getting a visa / visa on arrival will be easy. Unfortunately I am not familiar with Cameroon/Turkish relationsship and at the moment things often change (see US citizens who were bared from entry for a while without notice)
When is your flight? If more than 3 months away I would give it some time (flight schedule could also still change)
I will try to follow up.
Jan 14, 2018, 6:21 am
#753
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 27
Hi!
I booked WAW - IST- HKT, I'm wondering whether I'm eligible for free hotel. As I've found. There is only one direct flight on route WAW - IST, and one direct daily on IST - HKT. My layover is 19 hours. However, I've found some connecting flights from WAW - IST viA Vienna code shared with LOT Airlines, as well as IST - HKT via BKK
I booked WAW - IST- HKT, I'm wondering whether I'm eligible for free hotel. As I've found. There is only one direct flight on route WAW - IST, and one direct daily on IST - HKT. My layover is 19 hours. However, I've found some connecting flights from WAW - IST viA Vienna code shared with LOT Airlines, as well as IST - HKT via BKK
Jan 14, 2018, 8:04 am
#754
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Hi!
I booked WAW - IST- HKT, I'm wondering whether I'm eligible for free hotel. As I've found. There is only one direct flight on route WAW - IST, and one direct daily on IST - HKT. My layover is 19 hours. However, I've found some connecting flights from WAW - IST viA Vienna code shared with LOT Airlines, as well as IST - HKT via BKK
I booked WAW - IST- HKT, I'm wondering whether I'm eligible for free hotel. As I've found. There is only one direct flight on route WAW - IST, and one direct daily on IST - HKT. My layover is 19 hours. However, I've found some connecting flights from WAW - IST viA Vienna code shared with LOT Airlines, as well as IST - HKT via BKK
Jan 14, 2018, 11:28 am
#755
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: UA Gold (Million Miler), FI Gold, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,075
Just to report my recent experience, with layovers just over 10 hours.
On the way to my destination (CPT), I was given a room at a Mercure Hotel not too far from the airport, probably 15-20 minutes by van, though the wait to get the van was 30-40 minutes. Decent enough place but of course I just slept and not much more. Appreciated the complementary bottled water at least.
On the way back from CPT, I was given a room at the Hilton Bomonti, which was super swishy but a full hour from the airport, plus the usual 30 minutes wait for the van. This annoyed the heck out of me to be given a room so far away for a connection just over 10 hours. It meant only around 5 hours of sleep. I wish I'd have just stayed at the airport.
I did try to ask if my hotel would be near the airport because my connection wasn't so long, but the staff just sort of pretended to not speak enough English and decided to just fob me off.
On the way to my destination (CPT), I was given a room at a Mercure Hotel not too far from the airport, probably 15-20 minutes by van, though the wait to get the van was 30-40 minutes. Decent enough place but of course I just slept and not much more. Appreciated the complementary bottled water at least.
On the way back from CPT, I was given a room at the Hilton Bomonti, which was super swishy but a full hour from the airport, plus the usual 30 minutes wait for the van. This annoyed the heck out of me to be given a room so far away for a connection just over 10 hours. It meant only around 5 hours of sleep. I wish I'd have just stayed at the airport.
I did try to ask if my hotel would be near the airport because my connection wasn't so long, but the staff just sort of pretended to not speak enough English and decided to just fob me off.
Jan 15, 2018, 7:58 am
#756
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: TPE
Programs: TK E+
Posts: 127
Can I participate in more than one of the activities?
The layover will be 20 hours, maybe city tour and cruise? Or after city tour then hotel? Or TK only allow only one free activity for each passenger in each layover?
The layover will be 20 hours, maybe city tour and cruise? Or after city tour then hotel? Or TK only allow only one free activity for each passenger in each layover?
Jan 15, 2018, 2:57 pm
#757
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Hi All
Have a 23 hours connection coming up in IST both inbound and outbound with TK. I am 100% sure I am eligible for the free hotel.
My problem is that I am a citizen from Cameroon and as such I do not know if immigration will let me go.
Anyone with experience with that ?
Have a 23 hours connection coming up in IST both inbound and outbound with TK. I am 100% sure I am eligible for the free hotel.
My problem is that I am a citizen from Cameroon and as such I do not know if immigration will let me go.
Anyone with experience with that ?
Get the visa before you start your trip (google Turkey e-visa).
Have a good trip!
Feb 1, 2018, 11:13 pm
#758
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Will fly
Mar 23 YUL - IST
Mar 26 IST - MRU
there are 33 hours for connection. Will I be eligible for transit hotel? There is a flight on Mar 25 for YUL to IST making connection to 9 hr 40 minutes but I booked the March 23 flight planning to a little bit of sight seeing at IST.
Also in the way back MRU - IST - YUL connection time is 9 hr 10 min. I assume I can join a tour. Am I correct?
Many thanks.
Mar 23 YUL - IST
Mar 26 IST - MRU
there are 33 hours for connection. Will I be eligible for transit hotel? There is a flight on Mar 25 for YUL to IST making connection to 9 hr 40 minutes but I booked the March 23 flight planning to a little bit of sight seeing at IST.
Also in the way back MRU - IST - YUL connection time is 9 hr 10 min. I assume I can join a tour. Am I correct?
Many thanks.
Feb 2, 2018, 11:22 am
#759
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Will fly
Mar 23 YUL - IST
Mar 26 IST - MRU
there are 33 hours for connection. Will I be eligible for transit hotel? There is a flight on Mar 25 for YUL to IST making connection to 9 hr 40 minutes but I booked the March 23 flight planning to a little bit of sight seeing at IST.
Also in the way back MRU - IST - YUL connection time is 9 hr 10 min. I assume I can join a tour. Am I correct?
Many thanks.
Mar 23 YUL - IST
Mar 26 IST - MRU
there are 33 hours for connection. Will I be eligible for transit hotel? There is a flight on Mar 25 for YUL to IST making connection to 9 hr 40 minutes but I booked the March 23 flight planning to a little bit of sight seeing at IST.
Also in the way back MRU - IST - YUL connection time is 9 hr 10 min. I assume I can join a tour. Am I correct?
Many thanks.
Feb 2, 2018, 11:30 am
#760
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 318
morning sightseeing tour
I have a 5 hours 15 minutes layover at Istanbul and would like to take the morning sightseeing tour which starts at 8:30am to 11:00am. I emailed them for possibility of taking the tour since its website says it requires a six hours layover which I am a little short.
The reply I got from them is my departure must be 12:30pm or later to take the tour. My departure is 12:35pm, so in theory I should be able to join the tour. I would like to know is there any flyers out there who has actually taken this morning sightseeing tour and what was the experience? My questions for such tour are as follow:
1. Is it worth it?
2. Does the tour arrive back to the airport on time at 11am?
3. How long it usually takes to go through security? Will traveling in business class has any advantage, like a separate shorter and faster security line?
4. What happen if there is a major traffic jam and we miss the flight, is there any possibility of that happening? If that does happen, will Turkish airlines put us on the next flight without penalty?
5. Is the Hotel desk to wait for the tour is landside? So we have to go through immigration/custom to get there?
Looking forward to the feedback and thank you ,
The reply I got from them is my departure must be 12:30pm or later to take the tour. My departure is 12:35pm, so in theory I should be able to join the tour. I would like to know is there any flyers out there who has actually taken this morning sightseeing tour and what was the experience? My questions for such tour are as follow:
1. Is it worth it?
2. Does the tour arrive back to the airport on time at 11am?
3. How long it usually takes to go through security? Will traveling in business class has any advantage, like a separate shorter and faster security line?
4. What happen if there is a major traffic jam and we miss the flight, is there any possibility of that happening? If that does happen, will Turkish airlines put us on the next flight without penalty?
5. Is the Hotel desk to wait for the tour is landside? So we have to go through immigration/custom to get there?
Looking forward to the feedback and thank you ,
Feb 2, 2018, 8:56 pm
#761
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
"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."
I would word it this way:
"Now you have a 10+ hour connection (or 7+ hour for Business passenger) at IST. If there is a later flight from your origin that arrives IST with a connection time less than 10+ hour (or 7+ hour), you cannot take advantage of the hotel service".
My 2 cents.
Feb 2, 2018, 11:27 pm
#762
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
I read the wiki multiple times and I think this is hard to understand:
"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."
I would word it this way:
"Now you have a 10+ hour connection (or 7+ hour for Business passenger) at IST. If there is a later flight from your origin that arrives IST with a connection time less than 10+ hour (or 7+ hour), you cannot take advantage of the hotel service".
My 2 cents.
"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."
I would word it this way:
"Now you have a 10+ hour connection (or 7+ hour for Business passenger) at IST. If there is a later flight from your origin that arrives IST with a connection time less than 10+ hour (or 7+ hour), you cannot take advantage of the hotel service".
My 2 cents.
You just can’t pick and choose a longer connection if there is a shorter one available, even if it’s not for sale at the time of your booking!
Feb 6, 2018, 12:44 pm
#763
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
Does anyone know if flight tickets need to be booked directly from TK or can they be bought from an online travel agent instead to qualify for the Touristanbul tour?
Is it worth it, or do they just take you to all the places where they try to flog stuff?!
Is it worth it, or do they just take you to all the places where they try to flog stuff?!
Feb 7, 2018, 1:33 am
#764
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
I haven’t had the chance to take the tour, but would be surprised if it didn’t include a stop at the guide’s buddy’s shop for apple tea.
Feb 7, 2018, 5:38 am
#765
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
