Note: This post was published in March 2018. On April 6, 2019, Istanbul Ataturk Airport officially ceased operations. All commercial flights were transferred to Istanbul’s new airport [see post: The New Turkish Airlines Lounge].
With flights to over 110 countries from Istanbul, Turkish Airlines has been one of my go-to airlines for quite some time now. Over the past two years, I have transited through Istanbul several times a year. And, I must say, Istanbul Ataturk Airport makes for a great layover!
Touristanbul
Traveling internationally and have a long layover? Did you know that some airlines and airports offer free layover tours? Per Turkish Airlines, if you have a connecting international flight in Istanbul with a layover between 6-24 hours, you can make use of the free Touristanbul service to discover Istanbul.
After your Turkish Airlines connecting international flight, you can sign up for Touristanbul at the Hotel Desk in the International Arrivals Terminal of Istanbul Ataturk Airport. You will be picked up by a tour guide, taken to Istanbul’s noteworthy sights, and then brought back to the airport after the tour. As a guest, the food service and all museum entrances within the tour are free.
There are five tours scheduled per day: 08:30 – 11:00; 09:00 – 15:00; 12:00 – 18:00; 09:00 – 18:00; and 16:00 – 21:00. The tour details change based on the time and day of the week selected. Stops include: Sultan Ahmed Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque), Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower, Hagia Sophia, Taksim Square, and many other tourist attractions [see link: Touristanbul].
Note: Check visa regulations; some nationals require a visa to enter Turkey. Also note, you may not get both free accommodation service and Touristanbul on the same journey. If you prefer accommodations, you can contact the Turkish Airlines Hotel Desk, if eligible.
Lounge Istanbul
Don’t have enough time to leave the airport? Or, simply don’t feel like leaving the airport? Walk over to one of the world’s top ten private passenger lounges – Lounge Istanbul.
Lounge Istanbul offers a range of services and activities – store your belongings in the self-locking storage cubes and grab a plate. Or two. Lounge Istanbul offers a variety of food, from Turkish delicacies to stations of tea, coffee, pastries and other snacks.
Don’t want to stuff your face? Pop some popcorn while you watch a movie in the cinema.
Read a book in the library. Play a game of pool or golf. Yes, the lounge actually has a golf simulator.
Get competitive with a stranger on the video game consoles.
Afterwards, make yourself comfortable and enjoy a relaxing chair massage while surfing the Web. For free.
Or simply take a nap in the private resting area after taking a shower. Or not.
Per Turkish Airlines, Business Class passengers traveling with Turkish Airlines, Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus cardholders traveling in Comfort or Economy Class, Star Alliance Gold and Turkish Airlines Corporate Club members can use Lounge Istanbul and enjoy all its services.
Oh. And, make sure to grab some Turkish ice cream on the way to your gate – a perfect way to end your layover in Istanbul.
Get out there. Explore – See. Smell. Hear. Taste. Touch. Widen your world. – Turkish Airlines.
