2 part question. I am looking at a flight that arrives at IST at 2:10pm and will have an 11 hour layover. It looks like the last TourIstanbul tour leaves at 4:00pm. I've also read that you must be there 30 min before. With going through customs will there be enough time? I don't want to spend money on an e-visa if there is a high probability that I wouldn't make the tour. Or maybe should I still get the e-visa and just take a taxi into the tourist area? If yes to the taxi, approximately how much will that cost?
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1629 posts
Yes, that should be ample time.
Not sure why you would need an Evisa unless you are traveling on a foreign passport (I.e. non-US passport) and from a country that needs to get a visa
Posted by
OP
10 posts
I read somewhere that if you leave the airport this was necessary.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Thank you so much for this information. Very thorough and much appreciated!
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2866 posts
David covered it, but I'd like to emphasize this point:
That's especially true for long-haul Turkish Airlines flights, some of
which may be chronically late
Use a flight tracker (like FlightAware) to look at historical patterns for your flight. It won't be a predictor but it will help identify those chronic tardy routes (Seattle is one of them).
I'd want to check the details, but using the airline's tour may be helpful in that they know you need to be back at the airport at a promised time. Since you'll be on an evening tour the traffic shouldn't be as bad (though it is awful all the time so that may be wishful thinking on my part). If you have checked luggage it should be checked through to your final destination, so make sure you have a plan for your carry on bag (there are luggage storage facilities at airport) and make sure you keep anything valuable with you and not on whatever shuttle they provide.
As for a plan B if you do have a delayed flight, there are airline lounges and an airside Yotel if you need to freshen up while you wait.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
21241 posts
I have flown Houston to Istanbul maybe 12 times (at least). None were so late that I remember one being late. I made 1 hour connections in Istanbul .... but I moved quickly.
I wont do a taxi in Istanbul. Just me. Private transfers are easy to arrange. The taxi stand is chaos and even the private driver arrangment is not something to look forward to. Transportation out of the airport for me on the three times I visited was not enjoyable.
From the airport into town I would budget 90 minutes. Counting getting off the plane and getting through passport control (very well done at IST by the way) I would add a solid hour more. I dont know about TourIstanbul but it fhey meet you at the airport, thats the way to go.
Coming back to the airport I would count on 90 minutes. Then you will have to go through secuirty just to enter the airport. Have your passport and boarding pass ready. Didnt take long but I would budget 30 minutes plus 90 more for security and getting to the gate.
So, using a taxi, 2.5 hours at the front and another 3.5 hours ..... naaa, lets say 3 hours each way....means 6 of your 11 hours are gone.
I imagine this is where people will tell me my numbers are too long. But I said, this is what I would do.
On a couple of long layovers I just checked into the security side hotel and slept. Woke up for my flight to europe and arrived feeling good, but I see your flight will be at 1am?? So I guess that doesnt work for you.