Apr 19, 2019, 4:13 pm
Last edit by: DaveS
In Turkey, as in most of the world, clearing immigration is not required for an international to international connection. The passenger can remain airside, and does not need to enter Turkey.
HOWEVER, the transfer passenger may have to go through transfer security inspection.
Arrivals from EU, UK, USA or Canada continuing to other international destinations are not generally subject to transfer security.
All other international-international transfer passengers should clear transfer security.
Domestic to domestic transfer passengers are not subject to transfer security.
International to domestic transfer passengers are subject to security screening regardless of their arrival point.
Domestic to international transfer passengers are subject to security screening.
For international to international transfers, passengers who have less than 75 minutes for their next flight could benefit from the short connection points which are located at the end of concourses. This is only a fast-track for short connections which avoids passing from the duty free area. ( Similar to London Heathrow Terminal 5B and 5C transfer security ).
There is a fast track lane for international to international transfer passengers traveling on Business Class or holding M&S Elite or Elite Plus, or *G status. This service is only available at the main transfer security checkpoint area.
Link for Airport Map:
https://inmapper.com/istanbul-havalimani/ (Turkish)
https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/ (English)
https://turkishairlines.ssl.cdn.sdlm...92261056WE.pdf(Map for all TK facilities)
HOWEVER, the transfer passenger may have to go through transfer security inspection.
Arrivals from EU, UK, USA or Canada continuing to other international destinations are not generally subject to transfer security.
All other international-international transfer passengers should clear transfer security.
Domestic to domestic transfer passengers are not subject to transfer security.
International to domestic transfer passengers are subject to security screening regardless of their arrival point.
Domestic to international transfer passengers are subject to security screening.
For international to international transfers, passengers who have less than 75 minutes for their next flight could benefit from the short connection points which are located at the end of concourses. This is only a fast-track for short connections which avoids passing from the duty free area. ( Similar to London Heathrow Terminal 5B and 5C transfer security ).
There is a fast track lane for international to international transfer passengers traveling on Business Class or holding M&S Elite or Elite Plus, or *G status. This service is only available at the main transfer security checkpoint area.
Link for Airport Map:
https://inmapper.com/istanbul-havalimani/ (Turkish)
https://inmapper.com/istanbul-airport/ (English)
https://turkishairlines.ssl.cdn.sdlm...92261056WE.pdf(Map for all TK facilities)
Transferring/Transit at Istanbul (IST) airport
Apr 8, 2019, 6:52 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver,, Oman Air Gold
Posts: 747
Even though Uber is active in Istanbul, they are operating illegally and if you get caught using an Uber by the police ( at the airport you definitely would, %95 ) you and the driver would both be subject to a fine so I won't suggest to use Uber in Turkey except their taxi product which is legal. However, you could use the taxi option at Uber on the way back which a yellow cab would come to pick up you up from the hotel.
thanks again ISTFlyer
Last edited by CoweyB; Apr 9, 2019 at 3:10 am
Apr 9, 2019, 12:15 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Arrived from VIE last night and didn’t have to go through security.
Noticed them playing a video before arrival that mentioned ‘short connection points’: If your connection is under 75 minutes, you should use the “international short connection points”.
Sounds interesting if they help with tight connections, but couldn’t see any further signs or references after leaving the jetway, so I don’t know what these short connection points are or what they do.
and yes, taxiing took a while.
...and prepare for long walks, it’s a hike from the end of the spokes to the hub!
Noticed them playing a video before arrival that mentioned ‘short connection points’: If your connection is under 75 minutes, you should use the “international short connection points”.
Sounds interesting if they help with tight connections, but couldn’t see any further signs or references after leaving the jetway, so I don’t know what these short connection points are or what they do.
and yes, taxiing took a while.
...and prepare for long walks, it’s a hike from the end of the spokes to the hub!
Last edited by gr8pirate; Apr 9, 2019 at 12:21 am
Apr 9, 2019, 2:11 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Programs: Skywards, Miles&More
Posts: 111
Apr 9, 2019, 3:02 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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
You would make it. The walks are long but it's being exaggerated by many people. The maximum walk between your arriving gate to the nearest short connection security checkpoint and from there to your departure gate won't be longer than 25 minutes unless you walk really slow like tourists inside a museum.
Apr 10, 2019, 12:34 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Programs: Skywards, Miles&More
Posts: 111
You would make it. The walks are long but it's being exaggerated by many people. The maximum walk between your arriving gate to the nearest short connection security checkpoint and from there to your departure gate won't be longer than 25 minutes unless you walk really slow like tourists inside a museum.
We're both very fast walkers. 
You just made my day once again. Even for Atatürk we were told it takes time but we had no problems with connections there. We like to hike and walking is no problem for us.
Apr 11, 2019, 5:44 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 221
I'm looking at some award flights on from central Europe (BUD, PRG or VIE) to Seychelles on TK with a connection in IST. All the European flights arrive around midnight, which the flight to SEZ departs at 1:50 am. How much of a delay can I afford/buffer do I have given the 1h45m - 2h connection time? The VIE-IST and PRG-IST flights seem to have better on-time performance, and I'm wondering if I should base my choice on that.
Apr 13, 2019, 2:13 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
Noticed them playing a video before arrival that mentioned ‘short connection points’: If your connection is under 75 minutes, you should use the “international short connection points”.
Sounds interesting if they help with tight connections, but couldn’t see any further signs or references after leaving the jetway, so I don’t know what these short connection points are or what they do.
Sounds interesting if they help with tight connections, but couldn’t see any further signs or references after leaving the jetway, so I don’t know what these short connection points are or what they do.
Apr 13, 2019, 3:06 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
You would make it. The walks are long but it's being exaggerated by many people. The maximum walk between your arriving gate to the nearest short connection security checkpoint and from there to your departure gate won't be longer than 25 minutes unless you walk really slow like tourists inside a museum.
Apr 14, 2019, 4:14 am
#25
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO, DUS
Programs: BA Gold (OW Emer), TK ELPL (*G), Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 528
On your flight to LJU you should be able to use the short connection points (see post #22). If you end up taking one of the short connection points, it would be great if you could report back how it went.
Apr 15, 2019, 2:48 am
#26
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
Posts: 4,235
'escaping' from departures airside
At Ataturk I quite often went to the lounge on a transit, had a shower and left my bag, and then escaped back through arrivals (along to the food court and down the stairs) to go into Istanbul for some meetings.
Does anyone know if this is still possible/the suggested route at new IST? No immediate plans but likely to be trying to do that sometime in Q2.
Thanks
Does anyone know if this is still possible/the suggested route at new IST? No immediate plans but likely to be trying to do that sometime in Q2.
Thanks
Apr 15, 2019, 2:01 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YVR/YUL/LHR/HKG
Programs: TK Gold
Posts: 577
At Ataturk I quite often went to the lounge on a transit, had a shower and left my bag, and then escaped back through arrivals (along to the food court and down the stairs) to go into Istanbul for some meetings.
Does anyone know if this is still possible/the suggested route at new IST? No immediate plans but likely to be trying to do that sometime in Q2.
Thanks
Does anyone know if this is still possible/the suggested route at new IST? No immediate plans but likely to be trying to do that sometime in Q2.
Thanks
Apr 15, 2019, 2:29 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 115
Apr 18, 2019, 10:11 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087