kazioahid said:
Hi seniors
can anyone plz share with us ISTANBUL transit experience through TURKISH AIRLINE ?
Hi Bro, I just want to share my experience about Istanbul Transit while I was traveling from UK to BD in 2012. My experience was not too good at the Airport. Actually it depends on your transit time. If you have a shorter transit time, you can enjoy inside the Airport. But if you have a longer transit time you must need some place to take rest. Airlines should provide you hotel if you have a longer transit and if there is no other flight in between the transit time. I have traveled with Turkish airlines twice. Once I had the bitter experience and the next one was sweeter.
When I traveled for the 1st time with Turkish Airlines, there was 10 hours transit in the middle. When I went to the help desk to ask for hotel facilities, they denied to provide any. Just because there was another flight available which has 2 hours transit. They were asking why I choose the longer transit rather then shorter one. But who is going to explain them that there is a huge price difference. The staffs are not very good in English. Basically they do not want to understand the passengers rather then just give order. They are very rough in talking and just keep talking and talking without listening. So I had to find a place in the Airport to spend the night and I was very lucky that I found a lounge inside the Airport which is OK to spend night if you are alone. They provide free drinks thats all. My suggestion is if you have nothing to do, just find the lounge to take rest which is better then nothing. They have sleeping arrangements.
And when I traveled for the 2nd time with my Wife, the plane delayed to land in the airport. There were lot of passengers and the airline company provided us 5 star hotel facilities. It was very nice to spend one day in Istanbul. The city is very clean and nice. Hotel provided free buffet (best part of transit). We had free transportation from airport to hotel and return. But make sure you keep at least $20 for each to stump transit visa in your passport. Other wise you wont be able to go through the immigration.
I hope this might help you to understand the airport environment.
Thanks