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
#151
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: TK Elite, QR Gold
Posts: 1,272
I have a question about Touristanbul. I am interested in one of their tours around istanbul and not the hotel stay.
Am I still eligible if I book 2 separate tickets, with turkish airlines. I need to do so as the award flight to Asia is available only from IST onwards. My plan is to book 2 tickets with Turkish Airlines.
The first from AMS to IST with Turkish, connecting with another flight form IST to SIN, also with Turkish Airlines. I am planning a break of 8-10 hours between the flights and was wondering if I am eligible for one of the tours.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Am I still eligible if I book 2 separate tickets, with turkish airlines. I need to do so as the award flight to Asia is available only from IST onwards. My plan is to book 2 tickets with Turkish Airlines.
The first from AMS to IST with Turkish, connecting with another flight form IST to SIN, also with Turkish Airlines. I am planning a break of 8-10 hours between the flights and was wondering if I am eligible for one of the tours.
Thanks in advance for your help.
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
I have a question about Touristanbul. I am interested in one of their tours around istanbul and not the hotel stay.
Am I still eligible if I book 2 separate tickets, with turkish airlines. I need to do so as the award flight to Asia is available only from IST onwards. My plan is to book 2 tickets with Turkish Airlines.
The first from AMS to IST with Turkish, connecting with another flight form IST to SIN, also with Turkish Airlines. I am planning a break of 8-10 hours between the flights and was wondering if I am eligible for one of the tours.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Am I still eligible if I book 2 separate tickets, with turkish airlines. I need to do so as the award flight to Asia is available only from IST onwards. My plan is to book 2 tickets with Turkish Airlines.
The first from AMS to IST with Turkish, connecting with another flight form IST to SIN, also with Turkish Airlines. I am planning a break of 8-10 hours between the flights and was wondering if I am eligible for one of the tours.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Somebody with a recent experience would be helpful in this case.
#153
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
If you buy two separate tickets, you won't be a connecting passenger in reality. I am not sure if they check eligibility by e-ticket numbers or PNR's. If they do, the answer would be no. However, there is nothing stated in the Touristanbul website.
Somebody with a recent experience would be helpful in this case.
Somebody with a recent experience would be helpful in this case.
#154
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: TK Elite, QR Gold
Posts: 1,272
If you buy two separate tickets, you won't be a connecting passenger in reality. I am not sure if they check eligibility by e-ticket numbers or PNR's. If they do, the answer would be no. However, there is nothing stated in the Touristanbul website.
Somebody with a recent experience would be helpful in this case.
Somebody with a recent experience would be helpful in this case.
#155
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 84
I have a layover in August arriving 5:30 and departing for my next flight around 16:30, my flight before is 8 hours long. I was thinking if I could lie down in one of the rooms, rest for an hour or 2, have breakfast and go to the city for 3 or 4 hours before returning to the lounge again?
#156
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
I have a layover in August arriving 5:30 and departing for my next flight around 16:30, my flight before is 8 hours long. I was thinking if I could lie down in one of the rooms, rest for an hour or 2, have breakfast and go to the city for 3 or 4 hours before returning to the lounge again?
#157
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
So what are the official "rules" for transit pax who have to overnight?
1. Does this apply to TK award tix?
2. Only revenue biz tickets - or Y as well?
1. Does this apply to TK award tix?
2. Only revenue biz tickets - or Y as well?
#158
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Re: rules:
wiki here:
TK in IST: Thread #3 - Transit and Stopover Hotel, Touristanbul, Sleeping Rooms
#159
formerly gantid
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Mileage Plus Platinum, Marriott Platinum elite, *G, Hilton Gold
Posts: 198
My wife and daughter just took the Touristanbul (8:30 - 11:30) tour. All they asked to see were their BPs for the flight from IST-YYZ. I have no idea if they checked the booking ref#.
#161
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: TK Elite, QR Gold
Posts: 1,272
Thanks for the message. This sounds good. Perhaps for the tour they dont have to check the PNR.
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Also be aware that for the hotel option, your layover should meet the criteria. Unfortunately, you won't know which hotel you would receive until you have landed in Istanbul and presented yourself to the hotel desk. However, reports mostly indicate that you would bussed to a hotel near the old airport which may not be close to a metro station.
#163
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,343
So here's my experience with the TK sleeping rooms -
I was flying BOM - IST - LJU - IST - BOM. Outbound in J. Inbound in Y. Connection time in both cases ~7 hours. Max leg BOM - IST ~ 6.5 hours.
On the outbound went to the J lounge. Asked for the sleeping rooms and got them - no problems or questions asked even though our flight duration was less than 8 hours! The concierge immediately recognized we were coming from BOM and took our onward boarding passes and got us the rooms.
On the return went to the M&S lounge and asked for sleeping rooms. Concierge denied saying we had to be in J or E+. We requested for a single room saying we had a small child with us. Concierge asked us to talk to the reception desk (just outside the lounge). We went and requested them for a room. They spoke to their manager on the phone and got us 1 room. Passed by the sleeping rooms when heading to mine... almost all were empty.
I was flying BOM - IST - LJU - IST - BOM. Outbound in J. Inbound in Y. Connection time in both cases ~7 hours. Max leg BOM - IST ~ 6.5 hours.
On the outbound went to the J lounge. Asked for the sleeping rooms and got them - no problems or questions asked even though our flight duration was less than 8 hours! The concierge immediately recognized we were coming from BOM and took our onward boarding passes and got us the rooms.
On the return went to the M&S lounge and asked for sleeping rooms. Concierge denied saying we had to be in J or E+. We requested for a single room saying we had a small child with us. Concierge asked us to talk to the reception desk (just outside the lounge). We went and requested them for a room. They spoke to their manager on the phone and got us 1 room. Passed by the sleeping rooms when heading to mine... almost all were empty.
#164
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,278
Also be aware that for the hotel option, your layover should meet the criteria. Unfortunately, you won't know which hotel you would receive until you have landed in Istanbul and presented yourself to the hotel desk. However, reports mostly indicate that you would bussed to a hotel near the old airport which may not be close to a metro station.
Thanks in advance
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Dec 31st, the wife and I are getting out of town for a few days, all on Turkish metal, ATL-IST-LIS and returning about 2 weeks later. With that being said, and seeing that we are being bussed 50 or so minutes back to Atiturk for a hotel with a 16 hour J class layover, are sleeping rooms available just for 6 or 7 hours and then just hang in the lounge, or are the sleeping rooms only for the shorter stay passengers?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance