Comments on: How To Plan A Layover In Istanbul (and Get a Free Hotel)

By: Beth Gorrill

Beth Gorrill — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 01:42:00 +0000

I don’t mind paying for a decent hotel, as it is our wedding anniversary:) It’s our only alternative for using United FF miles back to California. We have a 13 hour layover from midnight until 1 PM. What hotel would you recommend? Do they have a shuttle at that time? How long ahead of time should we be back at the airport? I remember Dublin being a 3+ hour series of lines. Thanks!

By: Marek

Marek — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 15:19:17 +0000

In reply to Evelyn. That's a good cautionary tale Evelyn. For what it's worth, I prebooked my free hotel using the contact info here. I'm not sure what the situation is without this type of reservation.

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 15:48:43 +0000

Hello, I travelled with Turkish airlines in 2016 and had a 13 hour layover in Istanbul. During that trip, it is true I did receive a free hotel night and free airport shuttle to and from the hotel. I was just there a week ago (October 2018) again with a 14 hour layover in Istanbul thinking I would get another free hotel night stay as it had happened before. The man at the hotel desk was very rude, spoke very little English that I could not really understand and basically told me I did not qualify for a free hotel stay. He wasn’t able to give me a good explanation and I was not able to understand him. So I called Turkish Airlines customer service and the lady on the phone basically told me NO ONE is guaranteed a free hotel night no matter what the circumstances are and many times it is only based on availability. I ended up paying a $30 VISA to enter the country and $70 dollar hotel night with transportation I found randomly offered by a travel agency at the airport at 2am that night. It was very stressful and I don’t recommend anyone flying with Turkish Airlines if you don’t want to pay at least $100 or more for that unnecessary night in Istanbul. I just don’t want everyone to think they may be eligible for the free hotel night like I did. It is a coin toss! Good luck fellow travelers!

By: Marek

Marek — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 13:52:04 +0000

In reply to Jean. It's a great place to go and with the weak Lira it's quite cheap too. Definitely one to keep on the travel list :)

By: Jean

Jean — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 15:15:38 +0000

Wow. After sending that message privately I started browsing your latest posts and saw Istanbul! You won’t believe how excited I was as Turkey is also on top of my list. It’s always fascinated me with its East-West culture, but why I never went whilst in London I have no idea. Reading your article makes me want to go soon. (So many places to go, argh!) Lovely article. Thank you!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 13:16:04 +0000

The view across that river is gorgeous. Some great photos here… I think Turkey is added to my bucket list now 🙂