Would we need a visa

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 14:30

Can anyone tell me if we would need a visa if we flew in to Istanbul airport from Singapore in transit to Ercan, we would not be leaving the airport but unsure how the visa system works.



Thanks in advance.

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 14:44

Hattikins if you were flying with same airline i.e.TurkishAir or a member of Star Alliance, your bags would be checked through to Ercan - you can stay in transit and no need for visa. You should get boarding cards for both legs of the journey in Singapore if possible to avoid queuing at the transit desk. If you are travelling Turkish Air and have more than a 6 hour wait they offer a free morning or afternoon city tour! (then you would need to buy a visa which is 10gbp)



Maggie

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 14:47

We would be flying with Singapore airlines to Istanbul then Atlasjet on to Ercan so will have to collect luggage and the check it in again.

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 14:52

In that case you have to get a visa in order to collect your luggage - I flew from Doha with Qatar Air last month and the onward Ercan flight was with OnurAir. A combination of delayed flight and huge queue for visas meant I missed my Onur Air flight and had to pay again to get to Ercan with Atlasjet...nightmare! allow plenty of time!



Maggie

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 14:58

msg 4. Do you have to leave the airport to collect your luggage and get your flight with Onurair? I thought you only needed a visa if you left the airport and re-entered.

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 15:09

If the two airlines don't have a reciprocal arrangement (which OnurAir doesn't seem to have) you have to buy a visa, go through passport control, collect your luggage off the carousel, re-check-in and go back through! Madness I know but true!

MaggieAndBernie



Joined: 26/07/2008
Posts: 2012

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 15:11

Msg 5 Woodspeckie - you're not actually leaving the Airport but you are leaving the transit area therefore must buy a visa!



maggie

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 15:13

Thanks for the info may need it later this year.

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 15:19

Sounds a lot of hassle, may think about using Emirates from Larnaca.

Erkin


Joined: 15/06/2011
Posts: 339

Message Posted:
28/02/2012 21:34

Yes you would require to get a visa for Turkey on arrival but that depends on your nationality as not every country is required to have a visa, you are leaving the airport by going through passport control and entering Turkey and then leaving again.

why don't you just buy a ticket on turkish airline directly to Ercan then you would not need to get visa or go through passport control. by flying into Larnaca might be cheaper on emirates but then you have to consider the cost of the transfer from Larnaca to the north.