Apr 4, 19, 7:36 pm
Last edit by: Lefly
This thread is created for passengers with long connections in Istanbul Airport for TK.
PLEASE READ THIS WIKI CAREFULLY (especially the hotel fine print) before posting questions.
TRANSIT HOTEL (different from Stopover hotel):
TK will provide a free hotel to international transfer passengers at IST if:
- Economy Class ticket: connecting time is 12 hours or longer
- Business Class ticket: connecting time is 9 hours or longer
AND this connection must be the shortest possible option. If there is a 3-hour layover available, but you choose the 13-hour one, you are not eligible for the free transit hotel. This also applies if the shorter connection is fully booked: you still won't get the free hotel if there is a theoretical, but sold out, shorter connection.
If you need a visa to enter Turkey, you need to secure it at your own expense.
TK have a pool of hotels that they contract with, it is unfortunately not possible to know which hotel you'll end up at until you are sitting on the bus. Business class passengeres generally get five star hotels and Economy Class passengers get four star hotels. See the list on the bottom of this wiki for usual locations.
Hotel Desk E-Mail Adress: [email protected] - it's generally not necessary to email them, you can just show up
click here for Hotel Desk location
Click here for full Transit Hotel terms/conditions
STOPOVER HOTEL (different from Transit Hotel):
If you are on a round-trip ticket to-from certain cities/countries (click here for the list) and choose a connection longer than 20 hours, TK will provide one night at a four star hotel for Economy Class tickets and two nights at a five star hotel for Business Class tickets (three nights if traveling to/from USA).
At least 72 hours before your first flight, you must send an e-mail to the address that corresponds to your departure point on the list on this page (click here) and include your
full name
reservation code (PNR) or ticket number
date range for the anticipated accommodation
preferred room type (single, double or triple)
telephone and e-mail address
Visas and transfer to/from the airport are not covered by TK.
Click here for eligible origins/destinations and FAQ
TOURISTANBUL:
If you are on an international connection through IST and your connection time is 6-24 hours, you can take a free guided city tour. You must arrive at the hotel desk at least 30 minutes before the tours are scheduled to depart. After clearing immigration and leaving the baggage claim hall, turn right and go to the hotel desk (for location click here).
Touristanbul schedule and FAQ can be found here.
SLEEPING ROOMS:
Business Class and Elite Plus passengers on connections between 4 hours and 9 hours can get a private sleeping room at the M&S and Business lounges. One of the flights must be longer than eight hours and both need to be on TK, codeshare flights are excluded.
-----------------
Please list the hotel that you were provided, travel class, the Miles&Smiles or Star Alliance status of the passenger, the date, your username below and the post # that you have shared in the thread ( you could find the number at the top right side of your posts ) to create a database of passenger experiences.
For example: XXXXXXX Hotel, Business Class, M&S Elite, DD/MM/YYYY, ISTFlyer, #1
April 2019:
Renaissance Polat (Atatrk Airport), Business Class, M&S ELPL, reported by dabee69 in post #54
Renaissance Polat (Atatrk Airport), Business Class, TG*G, reported by bmi_Barry in post #79
May 2019:
Green Park Hotel ( Pendik ), IRROPS, reported by zing2istanbul in (post #753 in the TK ops from IST thread)
Crowne Plaza Aqua Florya, Business Class, TG*G, reported by bmi_Barry in post #91
June 2019:
Westside Arjaan by Rotana, Business Class, M&S ELPL, reported by finlandokie in post #169
PLEASE READ THIS WIKI CAREFULLY (especially the hotel fine print) before posting questions.
TRANSIT HOTEL (different from Stopover hotel):
TK will provide a free hotel to international transfer passengers at IST if:
- Economy Class ticket: connecting time is 12 hours or longer
- Business Class ticket: connecting time is 9 hours or longer
AND this connection must be the shortest possible option. If there is a 3-hour layover available, but you choose the 13-hour one, you are not eligible for the free transit hotel. This also applies if the shorter connection is fully booked: you still won't get the free hotel if there is a theoretical, but sold out, shorter connection.
If you need a visa to enter Turkey, you need to secure it at your own expense.
TK have a pool of hotels that they contract with, it is unfortunately not possible to know which hotel you'll end up at until you are sitting on the bus. Business class passengeres generally get five star hotels and Economy Class passengers get four star hotels. See the list on the bottom of this wiki for usual locations.
Hotel Desk E-Mail Adress: [email protected] - it's generally not necessary to email them, you can just show up
click here for Hotel Desk location
Click here for full Transit Hotel terms/conditions
STOPOVER HOTEL (different from Transit Hotel):
If you are on a round-trip ticket to-from certain cities/countries (click here for the list) and choose a connection longer than 20 hours, TK will provide one night at a four star hotel for Economy Class tickets and two nights at a five star hotel for Business Class tickets (three nights if traveling to/from USA).
At least 72 hours before your first flight, you must send an e-mail to the address that corresponds to your departure point on the list on this page (click here) and include your
full name
reservation code (PNR) or ticket number
date range for the anticipated accommodation
preferred room type (single, double or triple)
telephone and e-mail address
Visas and transfer to/from the airport are not covered by TK.
Click here for eligible origins/destinations and FAQ
TOURISTANBUL:
If you are on an international connection through IST and your connection time is 6-24 hours, you can take a free guided city tour. You must arrive at the hotel desk at least 30 minutes before the tours are scheduled to depart. After clearing immigration and leaving the baggage claim hall, turn right and go to the hotel desk (for location click here).
Touristanbul schedule and FAQ can be found here.
SLEEPING ROOMS:
Business Class and Elite Plus passengers on connections between 4 hours and 9 hours can get a private sleeping room at the M&S and Business lounges. One of the flights must be longer than eight hours and both need to be on TK, codeshare flights are excluded.
-----------------
Please list the hotel that you were provided, travel class, the Miles&Smiles or Star Alliance status of the passenger, the date, your username below and the post # that you have shared in the thread ( you could find the number at the top right side of your posts ) to create a database of passenger experiences.
For example: XXXXXXX Hotel, Business Class, M&S Elite, DD/MM/YYYY, ISTFlyer, #1
April 2019:
Renaissance Polat (Atatrk Airport), Business Class, M&S ELPL, reported by dabee69 in post #54
Renaissance Polat (Atatrk Airport), Business Class, TG*G, reported by bmi_Barry in post #79
May 2019:
Green Park Hotel ( Pendik ), IRROPS, reported by zing2istanbul in (post #753 in the TK ops from IST thread)
Crowne Plaza Aqua Florya, Business Class, TG*G, reported by bmi_Barry in post #91
June 2019:
Westside Arjaan by Rotana, Business Class, M&S ELPL, reported by finlandokie in post #169
August 2019:
Akgun Istanbul, economy class, per post 217
November 2019:
Polat/Renaissance, business-class E+ post 285 (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31699696-post285.html)
December 2019:
Polat/Renaissance again, business-class E+ post 285
December 2020:
Polat Renaissance, business class E+
January 2021:
Polat Renaissance, business class (No Status)
November 2021:
Holiday Inn Istanbul Airport, economy class (No Status), #537
May 2022 Stopover hotelPolat/Renaissance again, business-class E+ post 285
December 2020:
Polat Renaissance, business class E+
January 2021:
Polat Renaissance, business class (No Status)
November 2021:
Holiday Inn Istanbul Airport, economy class (No Status), #537
Sheraton Istanbul Ataky Hotel, business E+
May 2022
Westside Arjaan by Rotana, Business,*G, Sandy Hopper
Centro by Rotona (transit hotel), Business, *G, Nacho
Sheraton Istanbul Ataky Hotel (stopover hotel), business, *G, Nacho
July 2022
Pullman, Business,*G, Sandy Hopper
July 2023
Polat Renaissance, business class, TK-E, iamaho
Sheraton Otel Esenyurt - with dinner included, business class, TK-E, iamaho
September 2023
Pullman, Business, *G, SEA-Flyer
Pullman, Business, no status, SEA-Flyer
LaQuinta by Wyndham, Y E+, DaveS
Sheraton Esenyurt, Business, E+, Jaenks, assigned by my request
October 2023
Ramada Plaza Tekstilkent, Business, TK E, Lefly
TK in IST: Thread #3 - Transit and Stopover Hotel, Touristanbul, Sleeping Rooms
Sep 26, 23, 5:27 am
#1201
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA MP, NW WP, AA
Posts: 683
Sep 26, 23, 6:04 am
#1202
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 720
The same way I would like to be admitted to the AC Signature Suite when i fly on a TK award ticket with AC.
But the bottom line is that they are not obligated to do so on ground of being a member of *A.
Sep 27, 23, 6:10 pm
#1203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 10,634
Has anyone used Touristanbul on an Aeroplan award ticket?
Flying YUL-IST-ALA on Turkish Airlines with ~12 hour layover in IST.
When I arrived at the hotel desk, they told me that I wasnt eligible for the tour because my boarding pass was issued by Air Canada and not TK. (All passes were printed in Montreal before I departed)
Couldnt find this rule anywhere on their website (and neither could they when I asked), but they conveniently had it in writing at the desk after I already paid $90 CAD for my eVisa to enter the country. Very annoying
Did they wrongfully turn me away, or did I miss something?
Flying YUL-IST-ALA on Turkish Airlines with ~12 hour layover in IST.
When I arrived at the hotel desk, they told me that I wasnt eligible for the tour because my boarding pass was issued by Air Canada and not TK. (All passes were printed in Montreal before I departed)
Couldnt find this rule anywhere on their website (and neither could they when I asked), but they conveniently had it in writing at the desk after I already paid $90 CAD for my eVisa to enter the country. Very annoying
Did they wrongfully turn me away, or did I miss something?
All international transfer passengers who have flight through İstanbul can attend Touristanbul. Both flights should be with Turkish Airlines' ticket. Connection times between flights should not be longer than 24 hours and shorter than 6 hours.
Passengers may not get both accommodation service and Touristanbul on the same journey. If you prefer accommodation, you may contact our Hotel Desk for terms and conditions or by clicking here. They will inform you that your booking is eligible or not.
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-i...ristanbul/faq/
Always read the fine print. "Turkish Airlines' ticket means 235 stock.
Oct 3, 23, 12:09 pm
#1204
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 100
I am arriving in IST 10pm and departing the next day at 7pm (21 hours layover). This was the shortest connection offered for my flight (there's only flight to my final destination from IST at 7pm). Will I 100% be good to go with the complimentary hotel? Can someone please let me know ASAP because that's the only reason I chose to fly TK (to spend the half day in IST). If I'm good to go, is there any way I can reserve it in advance? Or will I only be able to do it at the hotel desk in IST?
Just for reference I am referring to https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-i...hotel-service/
Just for reference I am referring to https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-i...hotel-service/
Oct 7, 23, 3:32 pm
#1206
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 73
Concerned about unsafe location of Hotel in Istanbul
My wife and I are eligible for 3 nights complimentary hotel stay in Istanbul as part of 7 days stopover in second week of March, 2024. The hotel TA is most likely to assign us is Sheraton Hotel at Esenyurt (on my phone conversation, TA hotel desk person gave me name of this hotel as most probable hotel they will assign to us. We are travelling in business class and are on multicity tour originating and culminating in USA). I read many reviews on this hotel that mention that Esenyurt is "unsafe" area of Istanbul with high crime rate. We are elderly couple travelling from USA for total 7 nights and are very concerned about 'safety' at this location of the hotel. Should we shake off anxiety and stay for 3 complimentary nights at this hotel and then move to JW Marriott hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea or just forgo complimentary stay at Sheraton hotel Esenyurt altogether and stay for 7 nights at JW Marriot Marmara Sea? I understand that it is our personal choice. However, many FT members may have faced such dilemma before and hence I am tempted to seek their guidance/advice, if any. Thank you for your help!
Oct 8, 23, 1:06 am
#1207
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite), OW emerald (BA), ST elite plus (AF)
Posts: 3,334
My wife and I are eligible for 3 nights complimentary hotel stay in Istanbul as part of 7 days stopover in second week of March, 2024. The hotel TA is most likely to assign us is Sheraton Hotel at Esenyurt (on my phone conversation, TA hotel desk person gave me name of this hotel as most probable hotel they will assign to us. We are travelling in business class and are on multicity tour originating and culminating in USA). I read many reviews on this hotel that mention that Esenyurt is "unsafe" area of Istanbul with high crime rate. We are elderly couple travelling from USA for total 7 nights and are very concerned about 'safety' at this location of the hotel. Should we shake off anxiety and stay for 3 complimentary nights at this hotel and then move to JW Marriott hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea or just forgo complimentary stay at Sheraton hotel Esenyurt altogether and stay for 7 nights at JW Marriot Marmara Sea? I understand that it is our personal choice. However, many FT members may have faced such dilemma before and hence I am tempted to seek their guidance/advice, if any. Thank you for your help!
I would pick a TK provided hotel only if I had just a night layover without any intention to go into the city but have a good nights sleep.
BTW - the JW Marriott is also not the best location for exploring Istanbul.
Oct 8, 23, 2:23 am
#1208
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,QR Platinum,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold, HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 13,910
My wife and I are eligible for 3 nights complimentary hotel stay in Istanbul as part of 7 days stopover in second week of March, 2024. The hotel TA is most likely to assign us is Sheraton Hotel at Esenyurt (on my phone conversation, TA hotel desk person gave me name of this hotel as most probable hotel they will assign to us. We are travelling in business class and are on multicity tour originating and culminating in USA). I read many reviews on this hotel that mention that Esenyurt is "unsafe" area of Istanbul with high crime rate. We are elderly couple travelling from USA for total 7 nights and are very concerned about 'safety' at this location of the hotel. Should we shake off anxiety and stay for 3 complimentary nights at this hotel and then move to JW Marriott hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea or just forgo complimentary stay at Sheraton hotel Esenyurt altogether and stay for 7 nights at JW Marriot Marmara Sea? I understand that it is our personal choice. However, many FT members may have faced such dilemma before and hence I am tempted to seek their guidance/advice, if any. Thank you for your help!
just book a decent hotel in a more touristic area on your own dime. all hotels that TK provides are not within tourist areas, bur usually spread around the old airport.
I would pick a TK provided hotel only if I had just a night layover without any intention to go into the city but have a good nights sleep.
BTW - the JW Marriott is also not the best location for exploring Istanbul.
I would pick a TK provided hotel only if I had just a night layover without any intention to go into the city but have a good nights sleep.
BTW - the JW Marriott is also not the best location for exploring Istanbul.
Oct 8, 23, 3:22 am
#1209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 10,989
No first hand experience, but Sheraton Esenyurt is nowhere near Istanbul city centre and the main sights. If you want to explore the tourist sights during these days I suggest you skip this hotel as it is too far away (it doesn't even seem to have proper public transport nearby but I might not be updated on this). On the other hand if you seek to relax at the hotel, use the spa facilities etc and explore other parts of Istanbul, give it a try. You can always go to the mall of Istanbul (not too far away) if you get too bored.
Oct 8, 23, 8:43 am
#1210
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,568
We have a connecting flight thst is now a misconnect (due to a very late incoming). The tickets have not been updated st the departure airport, and bags are only checked to IST.
So, we would need to go landside to collect, and then contact TK customer service somewhere to rebook I guess?
Is there a service counter landside and if so - where?
Also, I assume thst we won't be eligible for a transit hotel if the delay is not due to TK controlled issue?
So, we would need to go landside to collect, and then contact TK customer service somewhere to rebook I guess?
Is there a service counter landside and if so - where?
Also, I assume thst we won't be eligible for a transit hotel if the delay is not due to TK controlled issue?
Oct 8, 23, 10:36 am
#1211
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 10,989
Yes, there will be TK ticket desks landside. Just go the departures level and look around. Not complicated.
Regardless of the delay you should be eligible for a TK transfer hotel if you get rebook to the next available TK flight (and meet the other requirements for TK transfer hotel of course). I don't expect any issues there. Just go to the TK hotel desk in the arrivals hall after you have been rebooked.
Regardless of the delay you should be eligible for a TK transfer hotel if you get rebook to the next available TK flight (and meet the other requirements for TK transfer hotel of course). I don't expect any issues there. Just go to the TK hotel desk in the arrivals hall after you have been rebooked.
Oct 8, 23, 2:52 pm
#1212
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 73
Thank you very much for this excellent advice. I like your prudent suggestion that even though Sheraton at Esenyurt may not be in 'unsafe' area of Istanbul, it still is pretty far from the major tourist attractions and hence better to skip this complimentary hotel stay and instead book a suitable hotel near by the major tourist sites. Thank you also for indicating that JW Marriott Marmara Sea is not the best location to exploring Istanbul due to inconvenient public transportation. I am certainly going to follow your both suggestions and will now look for a good hotel around major tourist sites. Any suggestions for booking a good 5-star hotel in desirable areas of popular tourist locations? Thank you again for your timely help!
Oct 9, 23, 5:29 am
#1213
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Stuttgart
Programs: TK E+
Posts: 33
So yes in my opinion it is a great hotel for a one night transit or stopover. You may have better hotel options for multiple days enjoying Istanbul city.
Oct 9, 23, 5:51 am
#1214
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,QR Platinum,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold, HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 13,910
Thank you very much for this excellent advice. I like your prudent suggestion that even though Sheraton at Esenyurt may not be in 'unsafe' area of Istanbul, it still is pretty far from the major tourist attractions and hence better to skip this complimentary hotel stay and instead book a suitable hotel near by the major tourist sites. Thank you also for indicating that JW Marriott Marmara Sea is not the best location to exploring Istanbul due to inconvenient public transportation. I am certainly going to follow your both suggestions and will now look for a good hotel around major tourist sites. Any suggestions for booking a good 5-star hotel in desirable areas of popular tourist locations? Thank you again for your timely help!
This February there was heavy snowstorm in Istanbul and my partner and I had a free night in Sheraton Esenyurt. The hotel itself is certainly great and safe, especially that you can enjoy spa and pool in a snowy day. There is also a huge shopping mall right next to the hotel.
So yes in my opinion it is a great hotel for a one night transit or stopover. You may have better hotel options for multiple days enjoying Istanbul city.
So yes in my opinion it is a great hotel for a one night transit or stopover. You may have better hotel options for multiple days enjoying Istanbul city.
The Akbatı mall is also a nice mall and the demographics over there mostly middle-class and middle to high-class people.
I assume that you are a Bonvoy member thus was interested in the JW Marmara Sea but the other JW in Karaky has a great location but might not be cheap like the one in Ataky.
Oct 9, 23, 3:01 pm
#1215
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 73
Thank you!
This February there was heavy snowstorm in Istanbul and my partner and I had a free night in Sheraton Esenyurt. The hotel itself is certainly great and safe, especially that you can enjoy spa and pool in a snowy day. There is also a huge shopping mall right next to the hotel.
So yes in my opinion it is a great hotel for a one night transit or stopover. You may have better hotel options for multiple days enjoying Istanbul city.
So yes in my opinion it is a great hotel for a one night transit or stopover. You may have better hotel options for multiple days enjoying Istanbul city.
