Stop over at Istanbul airport

ajaney


Joined: 24/12/2008
Posts: 199

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 13:55

We have a 6 hour stop over at ataturk airport

Can anyone please tell me where we can leave our luggage and the cost.

We are flying with Turkish airlines

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 14:05

I think TA lay on a free tour of Istanbul depending on transit time lag, though if you leave transit on a UK Passport there's a £10 visa fee to pay. Contact them and ask.



Richard

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 14:21

Re left luggage see this link: http://www.ataturkairport.com/eng/1_f.php?id=105

CarrieRBag



Joined: 23/12/2008
Posts: 1374

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 14:23

If your onward flight is with Turkish Airways too, your luggage will be checked in at Ercan and arrive at your final destination without you having to worry about it in Istanbul.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 14:30

Should have mentioned that if you have an HSBC premier or advantage card you can use their lounge free, it's on the 1st floor above all the food concessions (Burger King, etc). I seem to remember they have some small lockers inside. If you don't have a card I think you can pay to use it - may work out cheaper than buying a coffee and a cake - Ataturk prices are very expensive! Once inside all food and drink is free of charge plus they have internet, TV, newspapers, departures info display and comfy sofas.

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 15:46

Re Msg 4.



Carrie is completely correct, TK will transfer your bags between aircraft (even with an overnight stop) so this should not be an issue. Even if you are changing carrier, the people at your airport of origin should be able to 'interline' your bags.



The lounges could be a good option. With a large Efes costing 19YTL, any charge could work out very cost effective.



DD

jimchris09


Joined: 13/02/2009
Posts: 547

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 22:33

If I have a flight on TK to Istanbul on one ticket, and a flight to Ercan on say AtlasJet ticket, will bags be transferred and thus can I avoid having to clear custams and checkin again?

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
19/10/2010 22:39

I am not certain but I don't think so jimchris09 but I have not tried that route so I can't be certain as it is TK to Istanbul they might just do it.

In my experience we fly in with Emirates and then get TK to Ercan and we have to go through passport control and collect the bags and then re-check in at departures for the next flight although there is a baggage storage area to the right as you go into the airport from baggage collection.

If it is possible to have it all done for you I do hope someone posts how as this would be very helpful for me also, in the future

Scoty


Joined: 23/05/2010
Posts: 846

Message Posted:
20/10/2010 15:53

A few months ago did a trip to uk and back.

Turkish to amsterdam via istanbul and then KLM to UK. Bags were booked straight through.

Did same route back and bags direct to ercan.

No passport control etc anywhere until arrival at final destination both ways.

Used millenium lounge in Istanbul - 50 TL but free drinks and snacks, internet etc. At 20 tl for a large draft efes and 12 for a bottle 33cl - well worth it if there a few hours.

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
20/10/2010 16:00

The free TA trips around Istanbul have to be a full day, I checked it on their website a couple of months ago. It shows how many hours before take off you need to back at Ataturk.

Scoty


Joined: 23/05/2010
Posts: 846

Message Posted:
20/10/2010 16:15

If I remember, there are various tours available on different days but most are from around 0900 1500 but not sure of time you nedd you to back prior to your flight departure.

ajaney


Joined: 24/12/2008
Posts: 199

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 09:26

I can now answer my own question. We landed at Istanbul ataturk at 11.35.

By 11.55 we had bought our visas, cleared customs and were at the Turkish airlines hotel desk for their free half day tour. Our hand luggage came with us and the checked luggage went straight through to London. We were a tiny group of 4 plus guide. We started off with lunch (we just had to pay for drinks) followed by a tour of the amazing Dolmabahce palace. We went downtown for coffee by the afterwards. We were returned to the airport by 6.30. We had a great time - it was a perfect way to finish our stay in North Cyprus

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 09:53

Sounds like you had a great day, thanks for the information.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
21/10/2010 10:13

'You're a star' TA, now sponsors of Manchester United. With the amount of money they are throwing at TV adverts, the quaint touch of Istanbul tours, the reported excellent in-flight service, lets hope they don't go the way of CTA!



Richard