I will be ariving in Istanbul with only 1 hour and 45 min to catch a flight on to Kayseri. Is there anything I should know in order to clear customs and purchase a VISA as quickly as possible? I arrive in terminal B and leave from terminal A. I can't tell from the map how far apart they are. If anyone has advice for me I would love to hear from you.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Bring a $20 bill with you. That's the fee for your visa. You'll be directed to where you pay for it before you go through Passport Control, then an entry stamp will be put into your passport. Sorry, I don't know about getting from one terminal to the other.
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
417 posts
Lee is correct regarding the visas. Here is a link to a downloadable map of the airport that might help.
http://www.ataturkairport.com/eng/1.php
If this is what you have been looking at, then sorry!
When I was there, I recall that it is a sizable airport, so I think that your connection may be tight, but hey, you can always make a run for it!
Posted by
OP
Davis, ca, usa
3 posts
Thanks for the "bring $20" tip. I am sure I will figure it out and it won't be the first time I have had to "run for it". And then there is always antoher flight- -
Posted by
San Luis Obispo, CA
6 posts
We did this trip several years ago. The one thing that was repeated in the directions at the airport a number of times but that several people in the group we were meeting in Cappadocia didn't follow was that you have to pick up your bags, go through customs and after customs you have to take your bags to the Turkish airline and check them in-assuming you are checking bags. We did it and were fine but the people who didn't were without their luggage until day 4.
I don't remember the distance at the airport as being a problem. You walk outside to get from one terminal to the other.
Allow lots of time in Kayseri if you are flying out of there back to Istanbul. It was slow and crowded to get checked in for the flight.
Posted by
Seattle, USA
990 posts
The pedestrian walkway between terminals takes about fifteen minutes to walk. The baggage collection and re-stowage will be a much bigger factor, unless you are going the carry-on only route.
Posted by
Atascadero, California, USA
42 posts
Another tip for those enormous passport lines.
If like most people you DO need a visa, then team up with someone else in line. Wait in line for a visa with 2 passports while your friend holds a place in the passport control.
The visa line simply dispatches stickers in exchange for cash. There's no security questions and its OK to get a visa for somebody else.
Posted by
OP
Davis, ca, usa
3 posts
This is a great suggestion. This should save a lot of time when going through the passport line. Thank you for taking time to share this information.