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 3, 2021, 11:48 am
#106
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 164
Chose SAW 2 times.because testing is so convenient - arrivals level - waiting time between 5 and 20 minutes. They sort of guarantee tests results within 4 hours. First question you will be asked about departure time of your flight... My test results were in in less than 2 hours. However, picked up results next morning , stayed overnight near SAW.
Jan 3, 2021, 1:08 pm
#107
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: TK EL+, QR Platinum, HH Diamond, Accor Platinum
Posts: 127
I got a barcode to pick up results. You better ask upon arrival and then proceed accordingly. In any case I don't think test results will take much longer than 2 hours. The 4 hours is for them to be on the safe side, to avoid any unpleasant situations.. Either way, with your schedule I still would take tests at SAW and stay overnight at Taksim But then I don't know what it is like at IST as regards to waiting times, location, hooving all the distances, etc.
Jan 5, 2021, 12:30 pm
#108
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: TK EL+, QR Platinum, HH Diamond, Accor Platinum
Posts: 127
Clearing up my desk I came across this barcode thingy. You go to enabiz.gov.tr put in the barcode number and the last 4 digits of your passport. Ignore phone number and e-mail. Then download your test results in Turkish or English. No issues at all.
Jan 22, 2021, 1:14 pm
#109
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Gdynia, Poland
Posts: 631
hi,
I've found following Q&A on this website:
"Do I need to pass to the passport control to reach The health clinic to take the test?Unfortunately Yes. You have to be able to legally enter Turkey to reach the testing center cause it's after the passport control point. So If you are arriving from a Visa-required country, you will need to obtain your visa before. It's good that most countries can take their eVisa in simple steps from here.
As a result, no-body can reach the testing center directly from the transit area".
I wonder, if it is possible to arrange PCR test in IST in case of passenger in transit in IST? As for now, it's not required to present negative PCR test result if someone:
a) travels via IST,
b) stays in transit area only and
c) is not required to present negative result at destination.
However, according to above mentioned Q&A, if I decide to make PCR test in IST, I'll have to enter teritory of Turkey (leave transit area). Do I understand correctly that I'll need to present negative PCR test result in order to be allowed to enter Turkey and make PCR test at health clinic? If such negative result is really reqired, the whole idea of PCR tests in IST seems to be useless for passengers in transit, doesn't it?
I've found following Q&A on this website:
"Do I need to pass to the passport control to reach The health clinic to take the test?Unfortunately Yes. You have to be able to legally enter Turkey to reach the testing center cause it's after the passport control point. So If you are arriving from a Visa-required country, you will need to obtain your visa before. It's good that most countries can take their eVisa in simple steps from here.
As a result, no-body can reach the testing center directly from the transit area".
I wonder, if it is possible to arrange PCR test in IST in case of passenger in transit in IST? As for now, it's not required to present negative PCR test result if someone:
a) travels via IST,
b) stays in transit area only and
c) is not required to present negative result at destination.
However, according to above mentioned Q&A, if I decide to make PCR test in IST, I'll have to enter teritory of Turkey (leave transit area). Do I understand correctly that I'll need to present negative PCR test result in order to be allowed to enter Turkey and make PCR test at health clinic? If such negative result is really reqired, the whole idea of PCR tests in IST seems to be useless for passengers in transit, doesn't it?
Last edited by tropikey; Jan 22, 2021 at 1:30 pm
Jan 22, 2021, 1:27 pm
#110
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've found following Q&A on this website:
"Do I need to pass to the passport control to reach The health clinic to take the test?Unfortunately Yes. You have to be able to legally enter Turkey to reach the testing center cause it's after the passport control point. So If you are arriving from a Visa-required country, you will need to obtain your visa before. It's good that most countries can take their eVisa in simple steps from here.
As a result, no-body can reach the testing center directly from the transit area".
I wonder, if it is possible to arrange PCR test in IST in case of passenger in transit in IST? As for now, it's not required to present negative PCR test result if someone:
a) travels via IST,
b) stays in transit area only and
c) is not required to present negative result at destination.
However, according to above mentioned Q&A, if I decide to make PCR test in IST, I'll have to enter teritory of Turkey (leave transit area). Do I understand correctly that I'll need to present negative PCR test result in order to be allowed to enter Turkey and make PCR test at health clinic? If such negative result is really reqired, the whole idea of PCR tests in IST seems to be useless for passengers in transit, doesn't it?
I've found following Q&A on this website:
"Do I need to pass to the passport control to reach The health clinic to take the test?Unfortunately Yes. You have to be able to legally enter Turkey to reach the testing center cause it's after the passport control point. So If you are arriving from a Visa-required country, you will need to obtain your visa before. It's good that most countries can take their eVisa in simple steps from here.
As a result, no-body can reach the testing center directly from the transit area".
I wonder, if it is possible to arrange PCR test in IST in case of passenger in transit in IST? As for now, it's not required to present negative PCR test result if someone:
a) travels via IST,
b) stays in transit area only and
c) is not required to present negative result at destination.
However, according to above mentioned Q&A, if I decide to make PCR test in IST, I'll have to enter teritory of Turkey (leave transit area). Do I understand correctly that I'll need to present negative PCR test result in order to be allowed to enter Turkey and make PCR test at health clinic? If such negative result is really reqired, the whole idea of PCR tests in IST seems to be useless for passengers in transit, doesn't it?
By the way, a kind reminder that the link you shared is not the official e-visa link for Turkey or the official website for Istanbul Airport. It's a website of a company that is most likely overcharging people for visas and keeping the extra money. I strongly suggest everyone seeking to get a visa do so at the government website rather than a third party agency which is tourist scammers.
Feb 5, 2021, 10:23 pm
#113
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 don't know if this plan really happened, although, the IST Airport official website states nothing about it.
Mar 5, 2021, 11:51 am
#115
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York, NY
Programs: TK Elite+ Delta Platinum Medallion
Posts: 108
Covid 19 PCR Test to Enter Turkey
It's true that to access the PCR test center at Istanbul Airport you would need to clear passport control whereas you would need a PCR test obtained within the last 72 hours before the departure time of your flight to Turkey. You wouldn't be admitted to Turkey if you don't have a PCR test in advance. The COVID-19 negative test requirement for Turkey would end on 1 March 2021 unless it's extended again if you are traveling at a further date.
ISTFlyer , do you know whether the March 1st PCR Test requirement has been OFFICIALLY EXTENDED ?? Is it still a PCR Test within 72 hrs ?? How about an Antigen Test ??
ISTFlyer , do you know whether the March 1st PCR Test requirement has been OFFICIALLY EXTENDED ?? Is it still a PCR Test within 72 hrs ?? How about an Antigen Test ??
Mar 5, 2021, 11:52 am
#116
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York, NY
Programs: TK Elite+ Delta Platinum Medallion
Posts: 108
Originally Posted by ISTFlyer;
It's true that to access the PCR test center at Istanbul Airport you would need to clear passport control whereas you would need a PCR test obtained within the last 72 hours before the departure time of your flight to Turkey. You wouldn't be admitted to Turkey if you don't have a PCR test in advance. The COVID-19 negative test requirement for Turkey would end on 1 March 2021 unless it's extended again if you are traveling at a further date.
ISTFlyer , do you know whether the March 1st PCR Test requirement has been OFFICIALLY EXTENDED ?? Is it still a PCR Test within 72 hrs ?? How about an Antigen Test ??
ISTFlyer , do you know whether the March 1st PCR Test requirement has been OFFICIALLY EXTENDED ?? Is it still a PCR Test within 72 hrs ?? How about an Antigen Test ??
Mar 5, 2021, 12:18 pm
#117
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: M&S Elite+
Posts: 3,658
It's true that to access the PCR test center at Istanbul Airport you would need to clear passport control whereas you would need a PCR test obtained within the last 72 hours before the departure time of your flight to Turkey. You wouldn't be admitted to Turkey if you don't have a PCR test in advance. The COVID-19 negative test requirement for Turkey would end on 1 March 2021 unless it's extended again if you are traveling at a further date.
ISTFlyer , do you know whether the March 1st PCR Test requirement has been OFFICIALLY EXTENDED ?? Is it still a PCR Test within 72 hrs ?? How about an Antigen Test ??
ISTFlyer , do you know whether the March 1st PCR Test requirement has been OFFICIALLY EXTENDED ?? Is it still a PCR Test within 72 hrs ?? How about an Antigen Test ??
Mar 5, 2021, 12:42 pm
#118
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, the COVID test requirement to enter Turkey is extended until further notice.
Source ( only in Turkish ):
Source ( only in Turkish ):
Mar 5, 2021, 1:51 pm
#119
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York, NY
Programs: TK Elite+ Delta Platinum Medallion
Posts: 108
Thank you ISTFlyer. I guess the notice says " IT HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL A DECISION TO BE MADE " meaning they have not made a clear decision. I am hoping that they will eventually change it to a 72 HR RT PCR TEST or a 48-72 HR ANTIGEN TEST, as it is quite difficult to get a 72 HR RT PCR TEST in certain cities in USA. Also, it is my understanding that the EU is working on COVID PASSPORT whereas if you are vaccinated , you will not need to quarantine within EU. Another proposition being discussed is if you are Fully Vaccinated, that you may not need to quarantine within 90 days after having had your final vaccine. Let us see how this evolves within the next 30-45 days.