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
Apr 11, 2019, 9:36 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
I'll start looking for this during my outbound journey next week. My goal is to send off my parents to Asia 1-2 am at gate, then go outside for hotel to get some rest and return.
p.s. Based on the FAQ from YotelAir, you may leave the airport so I'll check around once I'm at IST next week.
Last edited by vincewy; Apr 13, 2019 at 11:51 pm
Apr 12, 2019, 9:43 am
#32
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 would also have a trip from Istanbul Airport in mid-May. If I arrive early to the airport, I would try to discover the secret pathway to from the departures level to the arrivals level. Just be aware that to access YotelAir, you must have a valid boarding pass for your onward flight.
Apr 13, 2019, 8:38 pm
#33
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,838
Does someone know what are peak times for sleeping rooms and when it's easier to get one? I will arrive at 5:20am. I am assuming I should not have a problem getting a room at that time?
Apr 19, 2019, 3:51 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern Nevada
Programs: DL,EK
Posts: 1,652
I am arriving at IST from SFO at 17:10 and departing to CMN the next day at 11:20 (Economy). Do I get to the hotel desk via arrivals or transit? I have a Turkish visa already. I assume they will bus us to a hotel near the old airport? Anyone know where they will take us?
Apr 19, 2019, 4:07 pm
#35
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 am arriving at IST from SFO at 17:10 and departing to CMN the next day at 11:20 (Economy). Do I get to the hotel desk via arrivals or transit? I have a Turkish visa already. I assume they will bus us to a hotel near the old airport? Anyone know where they will take us?
By the way, consult e-mailing the respective hotel desk for a reservation. You could find the e-mail address at the WIKI section of this thread. They also accept walk-ins, but previous experiences ( in Atatürk ) report that pax who pre-reserves their room get a better hotel. If you decide to e-mail add your reservation code, full name, flight information ( flight numbers, date, route ) and write a simple text that you would like to book the free stopover hotel service.
Apr 20, 2019, 11:30 am
#36
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I have booked YUL-IST-SIN in J for next year. In both directions, I get the hotel symbol in my itinerary during the stopover, which is about 9.5 hours in each direction. In the return direction only, I get the Touristanbul symbol and the hotel symbol. Does this mean I get to do both the city tour and the hotel? 9.5 hours doesn't seem like enough time to take full advantage of both these options.
But in case it is recommended and possible to do both, does anyone have advice on how to organise this? Should I email the transit hotel organizers at TK first, per the wiki? Should I mention the Touristanbul option in the email? I'd probably want to go to the hotel first, then go to on the tour, and then go back to the airport. But do any of these tours leave from the layover hotels?
It sounds like one would need some pretty reliable logistics operation to make all this work in 9.5 hours. Is this realistic?
But in case it is recommended and possible to do both, does anyone have advice on how to organise this? Should I email the transit hotel organizers at TK first, per the wiki? Should I mention the Touristanbul option in the email? I'd probably want to go to the hotel first, then go to on the tour, and then go back to the airport. But do any of these tours leave from the layover hotels?
It sounds like one would need some pretty reliable logistics operation to make all this work in 9.5 hours. Is this realistic?
Apr 20, 2019, 12:23 pm
#37
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 booked YUL-IST-SIN in J for next year. In both directions, I get the hotel symbol in my itinerary during the stopover, which is about 9.5 hours in each direction. In the return direction only, I get the Touristanbul symbol and the hotel symbol. Does this mean I get to do both the city tour and the hotel? 9.5 hours doesn't seem like enough time to take full advantage of both these options.
But in case it is recommended and possible to do both, does anyone have advice on how to organise this? Should I email the transit hotel organizers at TK first, per the wiki? Should I mention the Touristanbul option in the email? I'd probably want to go to the hotel first, then go to on the tour, and then go back to the airport. But do any of these tours leave from the layover hotels?
It sounds like one would need some pretty reliable logistics operation to make all this work in 9.5 hours. Is this realistic?
But in case it is recommended and possible to do both, does anyone have advice on how to organise this? Should I email the transit hotel organizers at TK first, per the wiki? Should I mention the Touristanbul option in the email? I'd probably want to go to the hotel first, then go to on the tour, and then go back to the airport. But do any of these tours leave from the layover hotels?
It sounds like one would need some pretty reliable logistics operation to make all this work in 9.5 hours. Is this realistic?
If you want to reserve the hotel option, mail them; however, if you prefer to use the Touristanbul option, you need to be present at the dedicated desk at the arrivals level of Istanbul Airport, 15 minutes before the tour.
Apr 20, 2019, 12:59 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
No, you could choose one of the options technically. However, you could prefer to go back to the airport by your own expense and present yourself to the Touristanbul desk. This might work. The tours leave from Istanbul Airport and the only hotel transportation that TK would provide would be just after your flight to the hotel and back to the hotel 3h-3h30mins before your flight.
If you want to reserve the hotel option, mail them; however, if you prefer to use the Touristanbul option, you need to be present at the dedicated desk at the arrivals level of Istanbul Airport, 15 minutes before the tour.
If you want to reserve the hotel option, mail them; however, if you prefer to use the Touristanbul option, you need to be present at the dedicated desk at the arrivals level of Istanbul Airport, 15 minutes before the tour.
The SIN-IST flight gets in before 6 am, supposedly. Are the hotel transfers running at that hour in the morning? And does the hotel room include breakfast? It would be nice to clean up at the hotel, have breakfast, and then decide whether to take a nap at the hotel before returning to the airport or try to go on one of the tours by going back to the airport on our own.
Apr 20, 2019, 1:03 pm
#39
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
Thanks for the detailed and very helpful reply.
The SIN-IST flight gets in before 6 am, supposedly. Are the hotel transfers running at that hour in the morning? And does the hotel room include breakfast? It would be nice to clean up at the hotel, have breakfast, and then decide whether to take a nap at the hotel before returning to the airport or try to go on one of the tours by going back to the airport on our own.
The SIN-IST flight gets in before 6 am, supposedly. Are the hotel transfers running at that hour in the morning? And does the hotel room include breakfast? It would be nice to clean up at the hotel, have breakfast, and then decide whether to take a nap at the hotel before returning to the airport or try to go on one of the tours by going back to the airport on our own.
Apr 20, 2019, 3:25 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
Hotel transfers are running 7/24. An e-mail reservation would minimize your wait for the shuttle at the airport; if you decide to book your hotel room on the spot, you would wait more. The hotel room would include breakfast, lunch and dinner depending the time of the day. However, previous experiences from FT members report that you should request meal vouchers at the hotel desk; otherwise they are not handed.
Apr 20, 2019, 6:51 pm
#41
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,656
I'll try to do this early May on my return trip.
I'll start looking for this during my outbound journey next week. My goal is to send off my parents to Asia 1-2 am at gate, then go outside for hotel to get some rest and return.
p.s. Based on the FAQ from YotelAir, you may leave the airport so I'll check around once I'm at IST next week.
I'll start looking for this during my outbound journey next week. My goal is to send off my parents to Asia 1-2 am at gate, then go outside for hotel to get some rest and return.
p.s. Based on the FAQ from YotelAir, you may leave the airport so I'll check around once I'm at IST next week.
Apr 20, 2019, 8:17 pm
#42
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
The YOTEL FAQ's are a bit funny. So I won't trust on that.
For example, how could you retrieve a boarding card without checking in?
As long as your flight is for the same day or the next day, you can access YOTELAIR Istanbul Airport (Airside) without checking into your flight. At security and passport control, you will need to show proof of travel (a boarding card and hotel booking confirmation), to access the transit area where the hotel is located.
Apr 21, 2019, 8:27 am
#44
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
Apr 21, 2019, 8:57 am
#45
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 23
Sorry. my earlier question is too brief. Whats the pick up and ending point? would it be possible to join the tour at the dinner place (if so, where is it) or leave the tour early (or when we disembark from the cruise). Where is the location for disembarkation?