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
Feb 3, 2022, 11:31 pm
#211
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: LAX/SFO
Posts: 391
I too have a similar situation, 8 hours transit, before boarding flight back to US. So get landside testing at IST, then check in back again works? Luggage should transfer by themselves right? Pardon the noob questions. Much thanks!
Feb 4, 2022, 4:17 pm
#212
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
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?
TK would not give your boarding pass for your IST-TAS leg and not check bags through Tashkent until you show your negative COVID test certificate.
Unless you have your COVID test documentation ready for inspection at your first point of departure, you would need to claim all checked baggage at Istanbul.
Apr 26, 2022, 4:05 pm
#214
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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
Rapid antigen tests would cost ₺175 while a PCR test would cost ₺250.
8 hours is far enough for taking the test at Istanbul. Also as a reminder, if you don't have a valid test at your first point of departure, your bags would only be checked through to Istanbul and you would have to reclaim them and check them back at the departure level after showing your test result to a TK ground staff agent.
Apr 26, 2022, 7:41 pm
#215
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 13
Turnaround times of 15-20 minutes for the antigen test and 60-90 minutes for the PCR tests. Both are acceptable for the USA.
Rapid antigen tests would cost ₺175 while a PCR test would cost ₺250.
8 hours is far enough for taking the test at Istanbul. Also as a reminder, if you don't have a valid test at your first point of departure, your bags would only be checked through to Istanbul and you would have to reclaim them and check them back at the departure level after showing your test result to a TK ground staff agent.
Rapid antigen tests would cost ₺175 while a PCR test would cost ₺250.
8 hours is far enough for taking the test at Istanbul. Also as a reminder, if you don't have a valid test at your first point of departure, your bags would only be checked through to Istanbul and you would have to reclaim them and check them back at the departure level after showing your test result to a TK ground staff agent.
May 10, 2022, 10:43 pm
#216
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
As a reference, the transfer area antigen testing area was not-manned at my last arrival.
Thus, I would not suggest anyone to rely on testing at IST without clearing passport control and immigration unless they are testing at the airside testing center which they could only use if they have missed their connection airside, if they are testing to avoid quarantine at their final destination ( test not mandatory but reduces/eliminates quarantine/isolation ) or if they are testing for their own personal comfort.
Thus, I would not suggest anyone to rely on testing at IST without clearing passport control and immigration unless they are testing at the airside testing center which they could only use if they have missed their connection airside, if they are testing to avoid quarantine at their final destination ( test not mandatory but reduces/eliminates quarantine/isolation ) or if they are testing for their own personal comfort.
May 11, 2022, 10:07 pm
#217
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 1
I have a flight to HK via IST. The layover is 9 hours. Planning to do my PCR test in IST (9 hours seems to be enough from previous posters). For HK the entry requirement is a government-approved lab. A bit obvious that the airport labs are government approved but HK need some documentation.
A few questions for the experts here:
1) How can I find a list of accredited labs in Turkey, or if the airport test center provide that documentation.
2) If I test positive and am denied boarding for the HK leg. How will Turkish Airline handle it?
A few questions for the experts here:
1) How can I find a list of accredited labs in Turkey, or if the airport test center provide that documentation.
2) If I test positive and am denied boarding for the HK leg. How will Turkish Airline handle it?
May 11, 2022, 11:10 pm
#218
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
I have a flight to HK via IST. The layover is 9 hours. Planning to do my PCR test in IST (9 hours seems to be enough from previous posters). For HK the entry requirement is a government-approved lab. A bit obvious that the airport labs are government approved but HK need some documentation.
A few questions for the experts here:
1) How can I find a list of accredited labs in Turkey, or if the airport test center provide that documentation.
2) If I test positive and am denied boarding for the HK leg. How will Turkish Airline handle it?
A few questions for the experts here:
1) How can I find a list of accredited labs in Turkey, or if the airport test center provide that documentation.
2) If I test positive and am denied boarding for the HK leg. How will Turkish Airline handle it?
Your last question has been answered a few times before in other threads in this forum.
Short answer: TK will rebook you free of charge if you submit documentation for Covid positive test.
May 14, 2022, 4:03 am
#219
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
I have a flight to HK via IST. The layover is 9 hours. Planning to do my PCR test in IST (9 hours seems to be enough from previous posters). For HK the entry requirement is a government-approved lab. A bit obvious that the airport labs are government approved but HK need some documentation.
A few questions for the experts here:
1) How can I find a list of accredited labs in Turkey, or if the airport test center provide that documentation.
2) If I test positive and am denied boarding for the HK leg. How will Turkish Airline handle it?
A few questions for the experts here:
1) How can I find a list of accredited labs in Turkey, or if the airport test center provide that documentation.
2) If I test positive and am denied boarding for the HK leg. How will Turkish Airline handle it?