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 18, 2021, 9:16 am
#421
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fishers, IN (Indianapolis)
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 97
A little less than 9 hours in Istanbul Airport
Hi. I apologize in advance if this topic has been covered in another thread. We just booked an award ticket that takes us home from Tokyo via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. There is a 8 hours and 45 minute daytime layover at Istanbul Airport. What is advisable for us to do during this time? I read that Turkish Airlines used to do short tours (for free?) in the past but I am not sure if this is even an option, especially in light of this ourbreak. Most websites say 10 hours is minimum length of the layover for us to tour Istanbul on our own. Is our best option just hanging out at the airport? We arrive there around 6 AM, and our flight does not leave until about 3 PM. Thanks.
Apr 18, 2021, 10:23 am
#422
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
Do business class passengers get any security/immigration fasttrack when transferring between an international and a domestic flight and vice versa? No status with TK/Star Alliance. Thank you.
Apr 18, 2021, 10:25 am
#423
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
Yes, however mostly the international->domestic transfer passport/security checkpoint is empty without any wait.
Apr 18, 2021, 10:28 am
#424
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
Hi. I apologize in advance if this topic has been covered in another thread. We just booked an award ticket that takes us home from Tokyo via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. There is a 8 hours and 45 minute daytime layover at Istanbul Airport. What is advisable for us to do during this time? I read that Turkish Airlines used to do short tours (for free?) in the past but I am not sure if this is even an option, especially in light of this ourbreak. Most websites say 10 hours is minimum length of the layover for us to tour Istanbul on our own. Is our best option just hanging out at the airport? We arrive there around 6 AM, and our flight does not leave until about 3 PM. Thanks.
The Touristanbul service is suspended due to the pandemic and does not operate.
Your other option would be to hang inside the airport or pay for the airport hotel which might be boring during the day.
Apr 18, 2021, 10:42 am
#425
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
Apr 18, 2021, 1:54 pm
#427
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fishers, IN (Indianapolis)
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 97
Thank you very much. How much extra time should we plan on spending to exit the airport as well as to check-in to the next flight? We don't want to be in a big rush. Hopefully, things might be different by November when we are planning to take this itinerary.
Apr 18, 2021, 2:11 pm
#428
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
However, if you are planning to do so on two different airlines, allow minimum 2h30mins.
Apr 20, 2021, 8:32 am
#429
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fishers, IN (Indianapolis)
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 97
Thanks. This is a 8 hours and 45 min layover between two business class Turkish Airlines flights in November of this year. I was just wondering if it is even worth it to arrange for a tour (I’ve seen some tours exactly for this purpose advertised on websites). Or should we just hang out at Turkish business class lounge?
Apr 20, 2021, 8:37 am
#430
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
Thanks. This is a 8 hours and 45 min layover between two business class Turkish Airlines flights in November of this year. I was just wondering if it is even worth it to arrange for a tour (I’ve seen some tours exactly for this purpose advertised on websites). Or should we just hang out at Turkish business class lounge?
We still don't know whether the tours would operate in November ( they don't operate since March 2020 ) or if the lounges would still have reduced service or if the sleeping rooms would be open.
I advise you to come back and ask the same question back in October.
Apr 25, 2021, 7:28 am
#432
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,124
No, unless Mexico does not start require it or Turkey from transit passengers. Lenght of transit time is irrelevant when you stay airside.
Jun 4, 2021, 7:09 am
#433
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Is 'one stop security' for EU originating flights gone?
Is it gone or we were sent to transit security by mistake?
I fully understand this was an unilateral decision to exempt EU arrivals from transit security, but it was making the experience better. Not a big issue now as transit security is fairly empty, but still annoying (remove laptops, cosmetics etc.). Shall we assume 'one stop security' was just a legacy of Ataturk Airport not being able to cope with transit congestion and it will not be back?
Thoughts?
I fully understand this was an unilateral decision to exempt EU arrivals from transit security, but it was making the experience better. Not a big issue now as transit security is fairly empty, but still annoying (remove laptops, cosmetics etc.). Shall we assume 'one stop security' was just a legacy of Ataturk Airport not being able to cope with transit congestion and it will not be back?
Thoughts?
Jun 4, 2021, 7:47 am
#434
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
Is it gone or we were sent to transit security by mistake?
I fully understand this was an unilateral decision to exempt EU arrivals from transit security, but it was making the experience better. Not a big issue now as transit security is fairly empty, but still annoying (remove laptops, cosmetics etc.). Shall we assume 'one stop security' was just a legacy of Ataturk Airport not being able to cope with transit congestion and it will not be back?
Thoughts?
I fully understand this was an unilateral decision to exempt EU arrivals from transit security, but it was making the experience better. Not a big issue now as transit security is fairly empty, but still annoying (remove laptops, cosmetics etc.). Shall we assume 'one stop security' was just a legacy of Ataturk Airport not being able to cope with transit congestion and it will not be back?
Thoughts?
When COVID started; initially the issue was regarding temperature screening where thermal cameras were installed before transfer security checkpoints.
Now as temperature screening is not required for transfer passengers, I don't have any other idea than TGS not assigning staff at the arrival gates to check onward boarding passes and save money with fewer employees.
Jun 4, 2021, 9:11 am
#435
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,664
Before COVID, all EU arrivals were considered as secure.
When COVID started; initially the issue was regarding temperature screening where thermal cameras were installed before transfer security checkpoints.
Now as temperature screening is not required for transfer passengers, I don't have any other idea than TGS not assigning staff at the arrival gates to check onward boarding passes and save money with fewer employees.
When COVID started; initially the issue was regarding temperature screening where thermal cameras were installed before transfer security checkpoints.
Now as temperature screening is not required for transfer passengers, I don't have any other idea than TGS not assigning staff at the arrival gates to check onward boarding passes and save money with fewer employees.