I have a 12-hour layover in Istanbul. Will I be able to leave the airport to do some sightseeing in the city?
I'm flying to Barcelona from Israel via Istanbul. The layover in Istanbul is 12 hours, and I'm thinking about leaving the airport and entering the country for a couple of hours. Would that be possible? Are there any Border/Airline restrictions?
I'm Traveling with Turkish airlines, and hold a passport which does not require a visa to enter Turkey.
I've done this in the past, but only inside the Schengen area, so this question is Turkey-specific.
Best Answer
As you're traveling with Turkish Airlines and have a long layover, you can ask for a free tour of the city, hosted by Turkish Airlines. Here's some info:
http://www.istanbulinhours.com/tour-schedule
You should confirm this with the airline beforehand, as what's available depends on your schedule. Depending on the time and duration of your layover, you might be able to get a free hotel instead.
I've used this service in the past. It's a bit touristy, but also surprisingly decent.
When I got the tour, I did not have to book beforehand. I just presented myself at a Turkish Airlines desk at Ataturk International Airport.
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Can I exit Istanbul airport during layover?
A Few Hours Layover / Less Than 10-12 HoursIf you have less than 10 hours, you shouldn't leave the airport. You'll need to think about how to spend your time inside the New Istanbul Airport (IST) with this amount of time. There are many services and amenities that you can spend time inside the airport.Can you leave the airport during a 12 hour layover?
Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover, provided your passport allows you visa-free entry to the country you're in and you have enough time between flights. In fact, some people intentionally book flights with longer layovers (which are often cheaper) so they get to see a new city.Can I leave Istanbul airport during layover without visa?
Do I need to get transit visa? Answer: If you will not leave the transit lounge at the airport you are not required to have transit visa. Otherwise, you have to make visa application to the nearest Turkish Representation.Can you leave the airport during a layover?
Yes, you can leave airports during domestic layovers. For example, if you're a US citizen on a layover within the US, then you can leave the airport legally and safely.10-Hour Layover in Istanbul
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Answer 2
Just after leaving the airplane, there's passport control, which is long because they're understaffed.
It takes 45-60 minutes to get to taksim square, by either shuttle bus or metro. The bus because is easier, the metro is more dependable. A bus leaves every half hour. Hop in, the driver will walk and ask all passengers for money. In Turkey euros and dollars are commonly accepted.
Taksim square is pretty boring for a tourist. The nicest area is between Sultanahmet and Eminonu.
Your plan is totally doable. Have fun!
EDIT: The bus has "Havatas" written in large letters on the sides, you can't miss it. It costs 14 lirasi, around 5 euros. It's a direct bus to Taksim, if i recall correctly (in all other turkish cities i visited, it was not direct).
Alternatively, for the metro, you need to take the red line to the terminus, Aksaray, and from there take the tramway direction Kabatas, and it's 4 stops to Sultanahmet. There you'll find Hagia Sophia and delicious ice cream.
Answer 3
I had an eight hour layover on my way to Damascus so I got out and took the train to the center. I enjoyed a lively Friday evening on ?stiklal and then took a cab back to the airport at 01:00 or so.
So yes, very easily doable.
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