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I have been to Turkey several times. They (Turkish Airlines) are somehow able to consistently be one of the lowest cost and decent airlines.
It is a shame that the country under Erdogan (current leader) does not have better relations with Israel.
I do NOT wear a kippa in Public in Turkey. (I wear a hat/cap)
Even with a hotel for a few nights Turkish Airlines can beat many airlines in terms of price.
I stayed at a decent hotel in Istanbul for about 50$/night.
They have fares to Israel for about 704$ in May of 2015.
Ukraine / Russian airlines are cheaper sometimes but I don't think they are great ..
How does Turkish airlines do it?
The only things I can think of : lower fuel costs? Lower wages? govt subsidies?
The airline is quite ok and Turkey is one of the few Muslim countries that flies to Israel with four or more flights per day on average...
This is not meant to be an Ad for Turk Air....but it is in interesting ::) phenomena....

If you have any questions regarding kosher food or shuls contact Rabbi Mendy Chitrik at mchitrik@gmail.com.
« Last edited by jedderai on July 01, 2015, 10:53:51 PM »

Author Topic: Türkiye Master Thread  (Read 57544 times)

Offline moish

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #60 on: March 18, 2011, 03:29:00 AM »
never a good idea to put tefillin in your luggage, whether jold, gold or hold

Offline Cbs

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #61 on: April 03, 2013, 04:29:45 AM »
Im thinking of making a stopover in IST for a full day including some hours in night . (land at night) i see on the turkish site that i would qualify for a free hotel..
How safe is the whole situation nowadays?
-hotel
-traveling around - 2 guys - for a full day (obviously will wear a baseball cap etc)


Offline chff

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #62 on: April 03, 2013, 05:27:15 AM »
Im thinking of making a stopover in IST for a full day including some hours in night . (land at night) i see on the turkish site that i would qualify for a free hotel..
How safe is the whole situation nowadays?
-hotel
-traveling around - 2 guys - for a full day (obviously will wear a baseball cap etc)

May I ask your date? I plan on flying via IST in the next week or so

Offline Cbs

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #63 on: April 03, 2013, 05:29:40 AM »
May I ask your date? I plan on flying via IST in the next week or so
availability keeps on opening and closing so nothing final yet but I want to be there the 9th

Offline chuchem

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #64 on: April 03, 2013, 08:57:07 AM »
u only qualify if there is no faster connection, so if you fly jfk-ist-tlv and build in a 24 hour stay they will not pay, as you could have taken a faster connection

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #65 on: April 04, 2013, 12:32:47 AM »
Anyone check out the CIP lounge in IST? I may have a 6-7 hour stop with kids, is the play area nice? Can I make it work?

Offline moish

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #66 on: April 05, 2013, 12:54:22 AM »
if you can get into the turkish lounge in ist, make an effort. probably the nicest biz class lounge

Offline Cbs

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #67 on: April 06, 2013, 02:21:46 PM »
availability keeps on opening and closing so nothing final yet but I want to be there the 9th
confirmed - will be on the 9th IYH for  a full day

Anyone have recommendations what to do ? how to get around etc?

Offline moish

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #68 on: April 07, 2013, 05:43:09 AM »
confirmed - will be on the 9th IYH for  a full day

Anyone have recommendations what to do ? how to get around etc?
the achrida shul is interesting

Offline Dan

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #69 on: May 14, 2013, 10:03:21 AM »
confirmed - will be on the 9th IYH for  a full day

Anyone have recommendations what to do ? how to get around etc?
TR?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Cbs

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #70 on: May 14, 2013, 10:34:33 AM »
TR?
I've been busy lately, but I'm in middle of my whole Asia TR.
But if you want to know in short, I spent a full day touring in IST and I did get a bit nervous at times but thank g-d everything worked out.!
But the airport feels safe unless u walk outside to arrivals there's a bunch of locals there. And the lounge is amazing

Offline U-no-me!

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #71 on: May 22, 2013, 12:18:15 PM »
I'm probably going to Turkey for a few days. Sites to see? Is there anything out of Isatanbul that's worth going to?

Vote U-no-me '14!

Offline Alexsei

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #72 on: May 22, 2013, 12:43:36 PM »
You can now get a turkish e-via online at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Jews ≠ Zionists
Palestinians ≠ Hamas
Satmar ≠ SatmarHQ

Offline moish

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #73 on: May 22, 2013, 01:50:20 PM »
You can now get a turkish e-via online at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
its pretty straightforward to get one at the airport as well

Offline Cbs

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #74 on: May 22, 2013, 03:15:51 PM »
I'm probably going to Turkey for a few days. Sites to see? Is there anything out of Isatanbul that's worth going to?
Forsure! Istanbul is really cool, and plenty to see.
when are you going? i hope to be done my TR soon, its just taking longer then i thought

its pretty straightforward to get one at the airport as well
+1 - right before border control there is a place and u pay $20 USD Cash if ur US Citizen and get a small visa sticker in ur passport.


Offline Feivish

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #75 on: May 28, 2013, 11:34:17 PM »
I'm probably going to Turkey for a few days. Sites to see? Is there anything out of Isatanbul that's worth going to?

Was there a few years ago for a day time stopover with two friends. In the main arrival hall they had a luggage storage that was not expensive, where we left our carry on luggage. Outside of the arrival hall I asked the guy in charge at the taxi stand for a English speaking driver, that was available within a couple of minutes. I told the taxi driver we got to be back at the airport in 7 hours for my connection flight and we would like him to shows us around the city but to start off I told him that I would like him to take us to the old jewish cemetery where Rabbi Naftali Katz, author of the Sefer Smichas Chachamim is buried. He knew exactly where it was. At cemetery they asked us for ID and asked us to empty our pockets, and was told that taking pictures is forbidden (no idea why). From there we went to Cevahir Mall that is one of the largest malls in Europe. At the mall they where many nice shops and some fun attractions, like a roller coaster that rolls down through the balconys of the first few floors. From there we went to the Neve Shalom Synagogue. We were not permitted to go inside. Police told is that since the 2003 bombing you need to reserve in advance to go inside. From there we stopped for some pictures at the Blue Mosque and headed back to the airport. Seven hours is a very short time to cover the city but you should be able to see most of it in a few days.
 

Offline moish

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #76 on: May 29, 2013, 09:26:39 AM »
with all due respect, i would definitely NOT recommend that itinerary to anyone

Offline TWA33

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #77 on: May 31, 2013, 01:12:57 AM »
the chabad rabbi officiates at the 'ashkenazi' synagogue. contact him at mchitrik@gmail.com

The message above was posted in 2011. Does anyone know if this info is still current?

My husband and I will be in Istanbul on Yom Kippor and we want to attend shul. Ideally we'd like to attend Kol Nidre at the Sephardic shul Neveh Shalom, and the Yom Kippor day services at the Ashkenaz shul. I know we need permission of the Rabbinate to do so. I would also like to contact the rabbis of these shuls, if possible, so they are aware that we want to attend.

Any names, contact info and general advice would be helpful. It is our first trip and we'll be there for a week, en route home after 3 weeks in Israel.

Also, can anyone recommend a decent, not-too-expensive hotel in Sultanahmet, Galata and/or Taksim?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Offline moish

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Offline rots5

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Re: Turkey Master Thread
« Reply #79 on: July 16, 2013, 05:07:14 AM »
i cant seem to find a number or location to the chabad. can anyone please help
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.