Jul 27, 2021, 5:36 am
Last edit by: starflyergold
This thread is strictly for information and experience sharing of the COVID-testing facilities at IST, it is NOT for any broader theorising about PCR or other tests' effectiveness or their limitations, COVID conspiracies or the like. Any posts falling into the latter category will be summarily deleted. Please familiarise yourself with the FT Rules https://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules#stayontopic before posting. Repeated violations will be dealt with in line with the FT rules.
starflyergold
TK forum moderator
starflyergold
TK forum moderator
Covid PCR Test at IST Airport
Jan 9, 2022, 5:01 am
#196
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
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Jan 11, 2022, 7:25 am
#198
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Location: Istanbul, Turkey
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Jan 11, 2022, 6:10 pm
#199
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
Perhaps slightly off topic for this forum... can anyone recommend a testing centre in the Sultanahmet area (not IST airport) with quick and cheap ART?
I know there's a website of all approved testing centres in Turkey, but it's not very helpful as it lists only the testing centre / lab / hospital names i the various cities, but no address (much lest Google-map like geo-locators):
https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/haberl...tuvarlari.html
I personally prefer to take my COVID test as soon as the testing window for my flight allows, so I have peace of mind (and certificate!) to fly - while I'm still downtown. As opposed to traipsing all the way to IST airport and, in case it's positive, have to make last minute plan changes and traipse all the way back.
I know there's a website of all approved testing centres in Turkey, but it's not very helpful as it lists only the testing centre / lab / hospital names i the various cities, but no address (much lest Google-map like geo-locators):
https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/haberl...tuvarlari.html
I personally prefer to take my COVID test as soon as the testing window for my flight allows, so I have peace of mind (and certificate!) to fly - while I'm still downtown. As opposed to traipsing all the way to IST airport and, in case it's positive, have to make last minute plan changes and traipse all the way back.
Jan 11, 2022, 6:18 pm
#200
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
Perhaps slightly off topic for this forum... can anyone recommend a testing centre in the Sultanahmet area (not IST airport) with quick and cheap ART?
I know there's a website of all approved testing centres in Turkey, but it's not very helpful as it lists only the testing centre / lab / hospital names i the various cities, but no address (much lest Google-map like geo-locators):
https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/haberl...tuvarlari.html
I personally prefer to take my COVID test as soon as the testing window for my flight allows, so I have peace of mind (and certificate!) to fly - while I'm still downtown. As opposed to traipsing all the way to IST airport and, in case it's positive, have to make last minute plan changes and traipse all the way back.
I know there's a website of all approved testing centres in Turkey, but it's not very helpful as it lists only the testing centre / lab / hospital names i the various cities, but no address (much lest Google-map like geo-locators):
https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/haberl...tuvarlari.html
I personally prefer to take my COVID test as soon as the testing window for my flight allows, so I have peace of mind (and certificate!) to fly - while I'm still downtown. As opposed to traipsing all the way to IST airport and, in case it's positive, have to make last minute plan changes and traipse all the way back.
For PCR tests, it could cost max ₺250 by law and most places charge the upper limit which is ₺250 whereas at public hospitals, it would be cheaper.
For the location question, I have no idea regarding a testing location near Sultanahmet near the Old Town.
Jan 13, 2022, 12:41 am
#201
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,661
I see that Istanbul Airport is offering antibody testing as well - I'm curious what exactly this report shows?
I tested positive on PCR in Ankara last week (totally asymptomatic) and then got released from quarantine with a day 5 negative PCR yesterday. I'm flying out from Istanbul on Friday and would be interested to see whether I was actually infected or whether there was a false positive of some sort. Would this test give me information towards determining that? Also, is it a swab or a blood test?
I tested positive on PCR in Ankara last week (totally asymptomatic) and then got released from quarantine with a day 5 negative PCR yesterday. I'm flying out from Istanbul on Friday and would be interested to see whether I was actually infected or whether there was a false positive of some sort. Would this test give me information towards determining that? Also, is it a swab or a blood test?
Jan 13, 2022, 1:11 am
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,353
To add some reference to what IST writes above. When PCR tests became widely available for travel, in perhaps June of 2020, 250 TL was about $40. Today it is about $18 (in December it was $15 for a short while). So even if charged the "full" permitted rate, this is perhaps one of the cheapest elective PCR test cost(s) in the world.
Jan 13, 2022, 2:37 pm
#203
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,758
I see that Istanbul Airport is offering antibody testing as well - I'm curious what exactly this report shows?
I tested positive on PCR in Ankara last week (totally asymptomatic) and then got released from quarantine with a day 5 negative PCR yesterday. I'm flying out from Istanbul on Friday and would be interested to see whether I was actually infected or whether there was a false positive of some sort. Would this test give me information towards determining that? Also, is it a swab or a blood test?
I tested positive on PCR in Ankara last week (totally asymptomatic) and then got released from quarantine with a day 5 negative PCR yesterday. I'm flying out from Istanbul on Friday and would be interested to see whether I was actually infected or whether there was a false positive of some sort. Would this test give me information towards determining that? Also, is it a swab or a blood test?
Jan 13, 2022, 8:17 pm
#204
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
To add some reference to what IST writes above. When PCR tests became widely available for travel, in perhaps June of 2020, 250 TL was about $40. Today it is about $18 (in December it was $15 for a short while). So even if charged the "full" permitted rate, this is perhaps one of the cheapest elective PCR test cost(s) in the world.
Jan 21, 2022, 7:13 am
#205
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: ,BW Rewards, Skymiles, Aeroplan, SPG, IHG, Marriott, Club Carlson, Alaska Airlines
Posts: 256
I am thinking of flying IAD / DXB , on TK. Do I need a Covid test at IST to enter UAE ? I know I will need a PCR test before my flight from IAD .
Jan 21, 2022, 8:28 am
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
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Jan 26, 2022, 6:34 am
#207
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Bham, AL
Programs: Marriott Gold, AmEx Plat, Agnostic on Airline Programs
Posts: 394
Quick logistical question: I'm flying TK from TBS>IST>ATL. There is an overnight transit in IST, and flying into the US would require a one day test. Trying to get the test with a same day result in Tbilisi will be incredibly challenging and it be easier for me to test at IST. Question: will TK allow me to board the TBS>IST flight without a test result and allow me to test at IST for the US-bound leg, or will I need to have this wrapped up before getting on the first leg of the flight?
Jan 26, 2022, 10:07 am
#208
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
Quick logistical question: I'm flying TK from TBS>IST>ATL. There is an overnight transit in IST, and flying into the US would require a one day test. Trying to get the test with a same day result in Tbilisi will be incredibly challenging and it be easier for me to test at IST. Question: will TK allow me to board the TBS>IST flight without a test result and allow me to test at IST for the US-bound leg, or will I need to have this wrapped up before getting on the first leg of the flight?
Jan 26, 2022, 10:38 am
#209
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Bham, AL
Programs: Marriott Gold, AmEx Plat, Agnostic on Airline Programs
Posts: 394
They would let you fly TBS-IST but they would check you through Istanbul where you would need to clear immigration, claim your bags ( if you are not traveling HBO ) and you wouldn't be permitted to check in to your IST-ATL flight until you have a negative COVID test in hand.
Feb 3, 2022, 8:31 pm
#210
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
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Posts: 7,763
I have a similar situation, with a 9 hour layover LUX-IST-TAS. It would logistically be much simpler for me to get the PCR test at IST airport during the long layover - however, will TK let me fly LUX-IST without having the documents required for the destination country?
