Apr 4, 2019, 6:36 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 (Atatürk Airport), Business Class, M&S ELPL, reported by dabee69 in post #54
Renaissance Polat (Atatürk 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 (Atatürk Airport), Business Class, M&S ELPL, reported by dabee69 in post #54
Renaissance Polat (Atatürk 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 Ataköy Hotel, business E+
May 2022
Westside Arjaan by Rotana, Business,*G, Sandy Hopper
Centro by Rotona (transit hotel), Business, *G, Nacho
Sheraton Istanbul Ataköy 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
Mar 7, 2024, 5:53 pm
#1426
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 1
IST layover 9 hours 10 min - YMMV for sleeping room?
Looking at the following J class itinerary:
NAP 7:35 pm --> IST landing at 11:00 pm
Layover of 9 hours 10 minutes
IST 8:10 am --> LAX 11:50 am
There is no later Turkish Airlines flight from NAP to IST that will get me to IST on time for the 8:10 am flight.
Per the wiki I understand that I would be eligible for a transit hotel but from searching through this thread it seems that this is really too short to enjoy (since I would have to depart the transit hotel 4 hours before my flight - so realistically my hotel stay would be a few hours at most) - with a 9 hour 10 minute layover do you think it'll be an automatic no for a room in the business class lounge (or a YMMV type situation)? I saw that I could also look at Yotel (seems pricey) or the sleeper pods... I know it wouldn't hurt for me to try but just want to see if anyone else was able to successfully get a sleeper room under these circumstances. TIA.
NAP 7:35 pm --> IST landing at 11:00 pm
Layover of 9 hours 10 minutes
IST 8:10 am --> LAX 11:50 am
There is no later Turkish Airlines flight from NAP to IST that will get me to IST on time for the 8:10 am flight.
Per the wiki I understand that I would be eligible for a transit hotel but from searching through this thread it seems that this is really too short to enjoy (since I would have to depart the transit hotel 4 hours before my flight - so realistically my hotel stay would be a few hours at most) - with a 9 hour 10 minute layover do you think it'll be an automatic no for a room in the business class lounge (or a YMMV type situation)? I saw that I could also look at Yotel (seems pricey) or the sleeper pods... I know it wouldn't hurt for me to try but just want to see if anyone else was able to successfully get a sleeper room under these circumstances. TIA.
Mar 7, 2024, 8:14 pm
#1427
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 10
Oh wow thats great news. Thank you :
So my bags are safe in a locker at the lounge?
Any recommendations for 4-5 hours solo time after the tour? Is going to the Asian side of the Bosphorous worth it or just stick in the general area by where the tour is? I think I'd like to see Taksim Square. Is it easy to from Hagia Sophia side of the water to Taksim Square area?
So my bags are safe in a locker at the lounge?
Any recommendations for 4-5 hours solo time after the tour? Is going to the Asian side of the Bosphorous worth it or just stick in the general area by where the tour is? I think I'd like to see Taksim Square. Is it easy to from Hagia Sophia side of the water to Taksim Square area?
From Haigia Sophia you can walk down the hill towards Eminönü (visit the spice Bazaar, get a fish sandwich from the boats) which is convenient for taking a ferry to the Asian side. I'd suggest Üsküdar as it's a pleasant stroll along the coast to see Maiden's Tower. Also to/from Sirkeci (adjacent to Eminönü) you also have the option of the Marmaray train (one stop Eastbound to Üsküdar).
Returning back to Eminönü by ferry/train, walk across the Galata bridge and then take the furnicular up to Beyoğlu to see Galata Tower. From there you can walk the length of İstıklal Street arriving at Taksim Square. This would be quite a busy evening of travelling about, but also plenty of chances to stop for tea and watch the world go by.
Mar 7, 2024, 9:19 pm
#1428
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,742
Not sure about the bag, but I would guess the tour will finish around 4pm before the bus goes back giving plenty of time for you to explore independently and reach Taksim. I have a soft spot for the Asian side so probably would squeeze in a trip there too.
From Haigia Sophia you can walk down the hill towards Eminönü (visit the spice Bazaar, get a fish sandwich from the boats) which is convenient for taking a ferry to the Asian side. I'd suggest Üsküdar as it's a pleasant stroll along the coast to see Maiden's Tower. Also to/from Sirkeci (adjacent to Eminönü) you also have the option of the Marmaray train (one stop Eastbound to Üsküdar).
Returning back to Eminönü by ferry/train, walk across the Galata bridge and then take the furnicular up to Beyoğlu to see Galata Tower. From there you can walk the length of İstıklal Street arriving at Taksim Square. This would be quite a busy evening of travelling about, but also plenty of chances to stop for tea and watch the world go by.
From Haigia Sophia you can walk down the hill towards Eminönü (visit the spice Bazaar, get a fish sandwich from the boats) which is convenient for taking a ferry to the Asian side. I'd suggest Üsküdar as it's a pleasant stroll along the coast to see Maiden's Tower. Also to/from Sirkeci (adjacent to Eminönü) you also have the option of the Marmaray train (one stop Eastbound to Üsküdar).
Returning back to Eminönü by ferry/train, walk across the Galata bridge and then take the furnicular up to Beyoğlu to see Galata Tower. From there you can walk the length of İstıklal Street arriving at Taksim Square. This would be quite a busy evening of travelling about, but also plenty of chances to stop for tea and watch the world go by.
I believe the tour is 12 to 6 so i would have plenty of time after. However, landing at 1030am i think from Cancun I hope I can make the 12pm tour. I would like to hit the lounge for a shower, grab some food and then take the tour. There is a 4pm tour that looks great too and it ends at 930pm which wouldnt leave me with as much time to explore by the time it ends.
I suppose i can just skip the tour b/c you gave me a really great tour of my own but was thinking it would be nice to get the free ride into the city and not have to worry about hailing a taxi. I also could scrap the idea of leaving the bags and just get my own room but i hate dropping for a hotel when i am going to have literally check out at 4am (and the TK lounge is 24/7 and from what i can tell there are actual lockers i can have my stuff safe in).
Mar 7, 2024, 10:54 pm
#1429
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 174
Just was hoping to get some info/suggestions now that I have in fact changed my TK layover to give me 21 hours in Istanbul. I arrive at 10am and leave at 7am. I fully realize just taking a taxi to the city and getting a room might be my best bet but I would like to take TK up on a free tour (and free ride into the city with out having to worry about any rogue taxies overcharging me) and I am wondering what happens if I take the tour and then just dont go back on the tour bus and stay in the city? I would obviously let them know so I wasnt unaccounted for. Can I do this?
if i remember correctly, there is a sign that says the lockers will be cleared at midnight but not sure if this is enforced? but not sure if you want to test this out either haha....
Mar 8, 2024, 12:45 am
#1430
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,742
yes, i took one of the longer tours and they said if you get lost during the free time or you want to stay longer then you can make your way back to IST yourself (on your own $). they mentioned they are not responsible for finding you but to let them know if you intend to make your own way back so they don't have to keep track
if i remember correctly, there is a sign that says the lockers will be cleared at midnight but not sure if this is enforced? but not sure if you want to test this out either haha....
if i remember correctly, there is a sign that says the lockers will be cleared at midnight but not sure if this is enforced? but not sure if you want to test this out either haha....
Not sure I would want ot take that risk but I will inquire in the lounge and I think its feasible to get back by 12am.
Mar 8, 2024, 1:41 am
#1431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,865
Mar 8, 2024, 1:48 am
#1432
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,865
Looking at the following J class itinerary:
NAP 7:35 pm --> IST landing at 11:00 pm
Layover of 9 hours 10 minutes
IST 8:10 am --> LAX 11:50 am
There is no later Turkish Airlines flight from NAP to IST that will get me to IST on time for the 8:10 am flight.
Per the wiki I understand that I would be eligible for a transit hotel but from searching through this thread it seems that this is really too short to enjoy (since I would have to depart the transit hotel 4 hours before my flight - so realistically my hotel stay would be a few hours at most) - with a 9 hour 10 minute layover do you think it'll be an automatic no for a room in the business class lounge (or a YMMV type situation)? I saw that I could also look at Yotel (seems pricey) or the sleeper pods... I know it wouldn't hurt for me to try but just want to see if anyone else was able to successfully get a sleeper room under these circumstances. TIA.
NAP 7:35 pm --> IST landing at 11:00 pm
Layover of 9 hours 10 minutes
IST 8:10 am --> LAX 11:50 am
There is no later Turkish Airlines flight from NAP to IST that will get me to IST on time for the 8:10 am flight.
Per the wiki I understand that I would be eligible for a transit hotel but from searching through this thread it seems that this is really too short to enjoy (since I would have to depart the transit hotel 4 hours before my flight - so realistically my hotel stay would be a few hours at most) - with a 9 hour 10 minute layover do you think it'll be an automatic no for a room in the business class lounge (or a YMMV type situation)? I saw that I could also look at Yotel (seems pricey) or the sleeper pods... I know it wouldn't hurt for me to try but just want to see if anyone else was able to successfully get a sleeper room under these circumstances. TIA.
Based on the reports in this thread and my personal experience I find it unlikely that you will get a sleeping room at lounge even if you just exceed the limit by 10min. But you can try. Only chance would be if your incoming flight is late and you can argue that in reality you have less than 9 hours. Whether it will work in this situation idk.
9h:10m is too short for TK transit hotel unless you accept that you will only get around 3 hours or less at the hotel. You can get a few hours more if you let staff at the transfer desk and hotel know that you will arrange for your own transportation back to the airport (rather than taking the (free) TK shuttle bus). Then you can leave 2 hours before departure by taxi, Bolt; Uber etc (provided that you are checked in to LAX and have BP).
Mar 8, 2024, 1:49 am
#1433
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,742
I think I just responded to a post you had but it was from 2021, on another TK thread. I am having an absolute darn of a time getting TK to let me have seat 2A on CUN-MEX. This is so frustrating. I can see on Expert Flyer that 2A is taken MEX to CUN only but open CUN to IST and I want 2A. But TK doesnt even know their own plane stops in CUN. 3 agents are telling me "the plane goes direct from MEX to IST". I know its just a stop over and not a route they sell (MEX to CUN) but how can their own agents not even see it stops in CUN.
Clearly TK IT is only allowing seat selection originating in MEX to take seats open MEX-CUN and CUN-IST. I can see 6A is open MEX-CUN (clearly someone is boarding in CUN and has 6A) and I can see 2A is open CUN-IST (clearly someone is coming in from IST and getting off at CUN). I dont get why they wont let me select 6A and 2A but instead will only offer 5K or 8K the seats open for both legs.
Do you know of anyway to get around this? I cant be the first person who has discovered this.
Mar 8, 2024, 1:59 am
#1434
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,865
No I don't know. Maybe you are overthinking this? If 5K or 8K is available (window seat right?) then select this seat and inquire check-in or the gate of 2A or 6A is available. To my knowledge there is nothing wrong with 5K or 8K.
Mar 8, 2024, 2:13 am
#1435
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,742
5K is not a true window seat (and maybe missing the window too) and 8K is last row.
I just dont get how TK agents cant see the flight stops in CUN. Just hung up with them and 2 agents say its a direct flight from MEX to IST and have no clue what I am talking about in regards to the CUN stoppover. Even if they cant do seats diff. for the 2 flights its very troubling they dont know their flight stops in CUN.
I can see for sure on EF that 2A is open CUN to IST but not from MEX to CUN. Someone is flying IST to MEX to CUN and getting off at CUN.
TK agents told me to go to the airport desk in CUN and request 2A......That wont work as I am not allowed off the plane in CUN.
Mar 8, 2024, 2:21 am
#1436
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,865
Give it some time to see if the seat map change. You will get nowhere by keep calling TK CS. Even if you end up in 8K you will have a nice flight - you are def. overthinking/overanalyzing this.
Mar 8, 2024, 2:27 am
#1437
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,742
Also, I doubt anything will change with the seat map unless the person in 2A IST-MEX-CUN cancels their flight or changes it to get off at MEX. From what I can tell TK only allows a seat selection to a seat open for both legs as they clearly dont allow you to take separate seats.
Mar 8, 2024, 2:32 am
#1438
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,865
I have been on plenty of TK flights in C/J with available seats after boarding completed; then you just move to the another free seat. To my knowledge the MEX flights are far from full in general.
Mar 8, 2024, 2:40 am
#1439
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,742
TK should be able to see that 2A is open from CUN to IST but instead they have no clue their plane stops in CUN and cant see that 2A is getting off in CUN.
This now isnt as much about my seat but just so baffling to me how a major airline is so clueless.
Mar 8, 2024, 3:26 am
#1440
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 174
I can try to move to 2A once we land in CUN. But obviously there could be a passenger coming onto 2A from CUN so I cant really do that unless I know for sure its open which would be once they have all boarded and someone else may just grab it..
TK should be able to see that 2A is open from CUN to IST but instead they have no clue their plane stops in CUN and cant see that 2A is getting off in CUN.
This now isnt as much about my seat but just so baffling to me how a major airline is so clueless.
TK should be able to see that 2A is open from CUN to IST but instead they have no clue their plane stops in CUN and cant see that 2A is getting off in CUN.
This now isnt as much about my seat but just so baffling to me how a major airline is so clueless.