Author Topic: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?  (Read 4049 times)

Offline loveddeals

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2014
  • Posts: 564
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: CA
5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« on: June 14, 2016, 04:01:28 PM »
Hello experts:

In the middle of our dream Europe vacation (not spending much time online, just enjoying it all), and completely forgot about asking this question earlier. Now, I only have 1-day before we fly via Istanbul to our final destination country on this trip. We have 5 hours layover in Istanbul, landing at 2 PM. Do we have enough time for anything in the city, or just take it easy and spend time in the airport? I understand we might also need visa (can be got at the airport).

I might not be able to reply as quickly as I would like to, but I appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

Offline lubaby

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 5335
  • Total likes: 736
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
    • View Profile
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2016, 04:05:25 PM »

Offline David Smith

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2015
  • Posts: 8075
  • Total likes: 212
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2016, 04:14:26 PM »
I don't know if you care, but Istanbul is not recommended safety wise at the moment. The attractions aren't too close to the airport anyways. The TK CIP biz lounge is pretty decent if you're OK with just killing time.
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

Offline zow

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 2943
  • Total likes: 135
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: LAX
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2016, 09:45:19 PM »
OP didn't mention flying in J. If not, any way to access the TK lounge?

Offline loveddeals

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2014
  • Posts: 564
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: CA
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2016, 12:21:16 AM »
Thanks for the replies everyone, so we will stay at the airport.

Zow nailed it when he mentioned about not flying in J. We are flying in economy class, but have United passes. Flights were booked on united using points. Can we access the lounge using United passes? Really hoping so.

Thanks.

Offline Der Deutsche Jude

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2016
  • Posts: 934
  • Total likes: 46
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
  • Programs: AA, CA, FAA, GA, NA, OA, WA
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2016, 12:26:12 AM »
Can we access the lounge using United passes? Really hoping so.

Thanks.
No.

Offline David Smith

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2015
  • Posts: 8075
  • Total likes: 212
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 13
    • View Profile
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2016, 12:53:42 AM »
OP didn't mention flying in J. If not, any way to access the TK lounge?
Star alliance gold (including united club card), or get guested in. Otherwise, if you have priority passes, the primeclass lounge isn't too bad either if you just want to kill time.
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

Offline loveddeals

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2014
  • Posts: 564
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: CA
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2016, 01:12:56 AM »
Thanks for the quick replies again. So looks like we will have to kill time in the airport or use primeclass lounge. Hope I can find the primeclass lounge easily. I don't mind just exploring the airport (if it is decent) and has good food. Any recommendations on a good place to eat (by airport standards).

Thanks.

Offline MeirS

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 2552
  • Total likes: 193
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2016, 01:23:53 AM »
Thanks for the quick replies again. So looks like we will have to kill time in the airport or use primeclass lounge. Hope I can find the primeclass lounge easily. I don't mind just exploring the airport (if it is decent) and has good food. Any recommendations on a good place to eat (by airport standards).

Thanks.
Most people on this forum keep a strictly kosher diet so they wouldn't be able to help you on that one but maybe someone here will know.

Offline loveddeals

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2014
  • Posts: 564
  • Total likes: 5
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: CA
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2016, 01:36:13 AM »
Most people on this forum keep a strictly kosher diet so they wouldn't be able to help you on that one but maybe someone here will know.

Thanks.

Offline zow

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 2943
  • Total likes: 135
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: LAX
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2016, 09:08:09 AM »
Star alliance gold (including united club card), or get guested in. Otherwise, if you have priority passes, the primeclass lounge isn't too bad either if you just want to kill time.
Thank you, Mr. Smith.

Offline shmoe joe

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Feb 2016
  • Posts: 1406
  • Total likes: 121
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: austin texas
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2016, 09:22:01 AM »
Hello experts:

In the middle of our dream Europe vacation (not spending much time online, just enjoying it all), and completely forgot about asking this question earlier. Now, I only have 1-day before we fly via Istanbul to our final destination country on this trip. We have 5 hours layover in Istanbul, landing at 2 PM. Do we have enough time for anything in the city, or just take it easy and spend time in the airport? I understand we might also need visa (can be got at the airport).

I might not be able to reply as quickly as I would like to, but I appreciate any advice.

Thanks.
you can always pledge allegiance to ISIS (or ISIL) to "kill" sometime
give some love (likes) to a brother!

Offline palm tights

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2014
  • Posts: 643
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #12 on: September 19, 2017, 02:25:24 AM »
Is there anyway to get in the tk lounge without anything?

Offline grodnoking

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 5847
  • Total likes: 767
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #13 on: September 19, 2017, 02:44:17 AM »
Is there anyway to get in the tk lounge without anything?
Get guested in.
I'm not who you think I am.

Offline palm tights

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2014
  • Posts: 643
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #14 on: September 19, 2017, 03:58:07 AM »

Offline shimino1

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2411
  • Total likes: 133
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #15 on: September 19, 2017, 04:12:05 AM »
Is there anyway to get in the tk lounge without anything?
They are very strict about people wearing clothing in the lounge.

Offline grodnoking

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 5847
  • Total likes: 767
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 17
    • View Profile
Re: 5 hours layover in Istanbul, time for anything?
« Reply #16 on: September 19, 2017, 06:01:16 AM »
Thanks
I think the last time I was there someone got a pass for $30 or something like that.
I'm not who you think I am.