Yotel Airside at IST few hours layover

What does a day pass at a lounge cost? ( or is that considered " the airport's shared showers/restroom/sleep pod options.")

Might be cheaper way to get a shower and some quiet time.

By the time you deplane and then have to get to and begin the boarding process for the next flight, you do not have 5.5 hours to kill.

If you feel this is worth the money, that is all that matters. I have a similar situation where I am 7 hours at Amsterdam after flying all night. I decided to give the Yotel there a try, but the price is 105 euros there. Reasons I went ahead and did this. 1. I can lay down and take a nap if I want without worrying about what is happening with my things, etc. 2. Having my own bathroom/shower is a plus. It is a pain to have to haul all your things off to the restroom with you. I have waited this long in lounges before and it worked ok, but when you are traveling solo there is still the idea of having to be alert enough to keep track of your things all the time. You are also at the mercy of those surrounding you. They can be great people minding their own business, which is the case most of the time. They can also be drunken louts who feel obligated to "get their money's worth" from the lounge bar. Very frustrating when this is the case.

Do what you think meets your budget and your needs.

Check carefully to see if your ticket gets you lounge access. The Turkish Airlines lounges are spec-frigging-tacular and a great place to spend hours. I've only been in their business class lounge, but I believe their other lounge (their "Miles & Smiles" lounge) is identical or nearly so, with tons of (good) food and drink, and plenty of comfy places to lay down and stretch out. You may have free access with your ticket (depends on the ticket and airline status) and/or you may need to sign up for their frequent flyer program (certainly well worth it if it gets you into the lounge). If that fails, I'm pretty sure you can simply pay for lounge access upon arrival and show your TK boarding passes - not sure how much it is, but I bet it's a lot cheaper than paying for one of those pods, and in addition to a comfy place to hang out, you get all the food and drink that you want, wifi, maybe a massage, and more.

The business class lounge has private sleeping rooms (with actual beds), but they are hard to score; there are also a handful of recliners in dim, quiet parts of the lounge (it's so big, you may need to hunt around for these - try just off the "tea room"). Great for napping or just quiet relaxation between trips to the dozens of food counters and sessions with the roving massage guy. I believe all the same amenities are available in the other lounge, but can't guarantee it.

The pods sound astronomically (and needlessly) expensive to me, and an uncomfortable option. I'd try for lounge access one way or another.

David, he specifically said he was not interested in pods. Yotel rooms, although quite small, are not a pod.

Not sure if you consider this "shared showers" but the Ambassador Spa charges 25 euro for a shower including all the stuff you need (towel, etc.). You could also get a mini hammam (a cultural experience!!). It is in the international transit area on Lounge Floor which is very close to the Turkish Airlines lounges. I personally would probably choose this option if only to feel human again and to get a good solid nap on the IST-Venice flight. http://www.ambassadorspa.com/blog-istanbul-airport-shower#:~:text=The%20Ambassador%20Spa%20%26%20Beauty%20Salon,and%20body%20lotion%20are%20available.

There's a huge difference between the business class lounge and the domestic lounge in Istanbul. The business class lounge is supposedly one of the best lounges in the world. The domestic lounge, not so much. (I have never done the international economy lounge.) I usually splurge for the domestic lounge en route from Atlanta to Antalya because it doesn't cost much, and it's a decent enough place to relax for an hour or two. Basically, you get a comfy chair, a place to recharge electronics, and some snacks.

I have done a couple of overnight stays at the airside Yotel. It's clean, comfortable and convenient. It's up to you whether it's worth the money.

Thank you all for your replies! It is much appreciated.

The Ambassador Spa offers some fantastic services and they get rave reviews. The foot massage would be a treat, pampering them before walking the heck out of them for two weeks.

I watched a video earlier today of the sleep pods, kind of like a coffin with luggage storage and phone charging capabilities. I don't want to sleep, as I think that will make me feel worse. I'll catnap on the flight to Venice.

I purchased an economy ticket, so I don't think the Turkish Air lounges are available for my ticketing status.

Most of all I'd like the option to take a shower, brush my teeth, freshen up my hair and makeup, and change my clothes.