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How I Planned a Free Mini-Vacation to Istanbul Using Turkish Airlines' Stopover Program

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Stopover programs are offerings made by airlines to make a layover more compelling. Sometimes, when travelers are booking a flight that stops in an airline's hub, they are given the option to stay for anywhere from a few hours to a few nights in that city, at no added cost; others offer discounts on hotel stays and excursions when flight routes require a stop one way or another. And who doesn't want to explore an additional destination on a trip—especially if you'll be passing through anyway?

With rising ticket prices this summer, the programs are seeing renewed interest from travelers as a way to make the most of their airfare . On a recent trip from Chicago to Singapore , my layover qualified for the Turkish Airlines' stopover program in  Istanbul , which recently started up again post-pandemic. 

The airline offers two options for travelers. The first, Stopover Istanbul, is designed for those who have a layover exceeding 20 hours, and the second, TourIstanbul, caters to passengers with a stopover of 6 to 24 hours. When booking, look for the “Stopover Istanbul” logo on the Turkish Airlines website which marks flights that are eligible for the program. Flights that are eligible for the free tour will have the logo “TourIstanbul.”

Because my layover was just over 20 hours, I could choose between a tour of the city or a hotel room (economy passengers get one free night at a four-star hotel, while business class passengers get two nights at a five-star hotel). I opted for the room because I already had scouted out my tours of choice through Airbnb Experiences. 

To actually get my hotel reservation, I reached out to the dedicated email address associated with my departure country to secure the offer. ( The airline's stopover page lists the email address for each country of departure.) Although Turkish Airlines suggests reaching out with at least a 72-hour notice, hotels are sometimes available even later. Luckily, within days of my email, my hotel reservation was confirmed in the form of a voucher.

There was a bit of work I had to do on my own: To visit Istanbul as an American citizen, I needed a visa. It's a  straightforward online process that allows for multiple entries (especially handy if you have layovers on both ends of your trip), though, and the cost was just $50 at the time of my visit.

Upon clearing customs at the Istanbul airport, I could have taken the hotel shuttle, but thanks to the availability of Uber in the city, I was in my hotel room under 30 minutes. I chose to stay at the  Pullman İstanbul Hotel and Convention Center , one of the partner hotels for the stopover program, and I was impressed at how nice the view of the city was from my room. As much as I wanted to enjoy the queen-sized bed, the pool, and the free breakfast, I was already running late for my tours. I had booked some Airbnb Experiences, which is my favorite way to experience cities on a short timeline—I’ve always found these tours to offer a quick dive into the culture, with local experts who are both laidback and knowledgeable. 

With only 20 hours, I chose to skip the classic attractions like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar, choosing instead to dive into the stomach of the city. I booked a highly rated street  food tour that spanned both the Asian and European sides of the city divided by the Bosphorus. 

Our group was intimate. At our first stop, crowding around breakfast, we eagerly passed fresh mounds of simit. The hot bread would then be smothered in clotted cream and honey, or menemen, the eggy Turkish breakfast staple. Later, we toasted with pickle juice from a shop at an outdoor produce market. 

The tastes of Turkish street foods —the steaming midye dolma and crisped-up kokoreç—were enhanced by the guide's colorful anecdotes from his childhood and the historical context he provided. Along the way, I heard about how cig kofte changed from a raw meat-based snack to a vegan dish catered to a more health-conscious crowd; and how midye dolma was best eaten in the early hours of the morning after a few rounds of drinks. 

Before the tour ended, we had inside jokes and shared stories. My new friends shook their heads incredulously as I told them I was only in town for 20 hours, pointing at coffee shops along the road for me to fuel up at. 

Just in time, too. I was starting to feel the slog of jetlag. My next experience was a  coffee history tour in the artistic neighborhood of Kadıköy, on the Asian side of Istanbul. We stopped at trendy third-wave coffee shops such as the Breaking Bad-themed Walter’s Coffee Roastery, and visited an old-school kahvehane where I learned how to play the tile-based Turkish game Okey. I crisscrossed the neighborhoods with my guide as he retold stories of the Ottoman Empire and shared general sentiments about the upcoming election. As the sun began to dip, we shared a ferry across the Bosphorus. It felt surreal that I had only stepped off an airplane earlier that day, and within a few hours, I’d be whisked off by another. 

Back at the hotel, with only four hours to spare until my flight, I wondered if the hotel room was really worth it—a hot shower quickly convinced me that it was. So did the power nap I (unexpectedly) had time for before heading back to the airport for my next flight. 

I'd previously viewed stopover programs as a pause in a journey—but clearly, even a short one, can become a meaningful opportunity to explore. It transformed what could have been a tiresome interlude into an opportunity to engage with the culture, history, and tastes of Istanbul. 

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• Stopover Programs
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How to get a Free Turkish Airlines Stopover in Istanbul

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Whats a Turkish Airlines Stopover

If you’re flying Turkish Airlines internationally from basically anywhere on their network, you’re pretty much guaranteed to be flying through Turkey en route to your final destination, and that probably means a stop at Turkish Airlines hub in Istanbul. It’s an awesome city and to encourage people to actually explore Turkey, rather than just flying through it, The flag carrier has implemented a free stopover service.

This is not a new concept and variants of this concept exist within the industry, take Singapore Airlines Stopover Program for instance.

An Important Distinction between Turkish Airlines Stopover & Layover

At this point, it is important to make the distinction between a stopover and layover as Turkish Airlines uses the phrase “stopover” interchangeably which causes confusion ( a quick Google about it shows that people have mashed the two concepts up passing them off as interchangeable ). Turkish Airlines has two different programs targeting transit passengers. One of the programs is aimed at passengers who have around 6-24 hours of layover in Istanbul. While the other is aimed at passengers, who wish to spend a day or two in Istanbul before continuing onto their journey. In short, they are two similar but different concepts and apply to two different groups of travellers depending on thier circumstances.

A stopover, as discussed in this article, focuses on what it says on the tin – a stopover in Istanbul. As will be explained, it allows you to visit Istanbul for up to 48 hours depending on travel class with a complimentary hotel so you can explore the city. This, of course, is heavily advertised as a key feature when flying with Turkish Airlines.

This works in many ways, for timid would-be adventurers who fear long-haul flights, the Turkish Airline Stopover in Istanbul program is the perfect way to break up the trip . For seasoned travellers, it offers a way to bolt-on an additional location while also boosting the local tourism economy.

Importantly, unlike a forced layover, aside from the hotel and with exception to the visa fees you bear the cost of travel around the city and the cost of travel between the airport and hotel.

A forced extended layover, which also technically known as a Stopover Paid-by Carrier (or STPC for short) is when you are forced to transit for an extended period of time due to an organic layover, as opposed to voluntary layover. In other words, what this effectively means is that you are forced to transit because of the airlines routing rather than because you have chosen to stay at the airport for an extended period.

In Turkish Airlines case, if you have an organic layover of more than 6 or 12 hours , the airline will provide either a city tour or a hotel and transit between free of charge – this, of course, is buried and never advertised. I discuss this in another article further.

Summary of Turkish Airlines Stopover

What is the Stopover In Istanbul?

Turkish Airlines offers a stopover program in Istanbul for free on almost every ticket fare class and city-pairs. So long as you meet the requirements, this package is perfect for travellers who like to be a little spontaneous in their journey and build in a day or two in Istanbul.

It is important to remember that while the hotel is complimentary, the visa is not and you will need to make sure you have a visa upon arrival.

How does a stopover work In İstanbul?

If you find great Turkish Airlines flight deals on Google Flights or Turkish Airlines, you can book a multi-city journey for the same price as a standard round trip, as long as Istanbul is the city in the middle.

Economy class passengers can avail a free one night stay at a four-star hotel whereas business class passengers can avail a free two nights stay at a five-star hotel.

Free accommodation

The catch is you can’t just rock up expecting to have it.

To make use of the program you have to send an email to the mail address designated according to your departure point stating your name & surname, reservation code (PNR) or ticket number, date range for the anticipated accommodation, preferred room type (single, double or triple), telephone and e-mail address at least 72 hours before your first flight .

Once You’ve Got A Booking

Email turkish airlines.

Once you’ve made a booking with Turkish, you simply email the local Turkish stopover office, no later than 72 hours prior to the flight . When you email, include your name, your record locator/confirmation number and which date(s) you’d like to stay in Istanbul. You can also note if you prefer double beds, etc. Add in your email and telephone number. Then they will get back to you with a list of hotels that you can choose from. You can even send an email or call them on the number provided if you have any doubts about the stopover program before and after booking your flights.

Turkey requires visas for citizens of many countries and to ensure the easiest entry process, it’s best to get one well in advance although some countries can get it on arrival. You can read up on everything you need to apply online at the Turkey e-visa website , from past experience it takes 5-10 mins tops.

Possible hotels with the Turkish Airlines Stopover

The FlyerTalk thread on this does highlight some common hotels and by the looks of things they aren’t your cheap budget-end hotels.

Turkish Airlines provides you with a 1-night stay in a 4-Star hotel for Economy Class and a 2-night stay in a 5-Star hotel for Business Class passengers.

Business Class Hotels

• Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel
• Hilton DoubleTree
• Wyndham İstanbul Petek

Economy Class Hotels

• Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul International Airport
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Radisson Blu Conference & Airport Hotel

How to get the Stopover

To be eligible for the Turkish Airlines Stopover Programme,

• City and Pair Criteria : only apply for the cities and countries pairs below – if a pair does not exist, then you cannot apply for the programme.
• No Complementary Hotel stopover when Travelling to another destination in Turkey – Naturally you cannot use the stopover programme to have a free hotel night stay before heading off to another city.
• You must have a round-trip ticket : One-way tickets are not eligible (and there are more rules to follow on this).
• You must be able to get into turkey : Visa fees, the cost of travel around the city, and the cost of travel between the airport and hotel are borne by the passenger.
• Award Tickets are eligible : traditionally with such programmes, they are only open to revenue ticket holders (ie. cash tickets) but while Turkish Airlines don’t make it clear anecdotal evidence on Flyertalk suggests it is open to award tickets.
• You must hold a Turkish Airlines Ticket : the programme is only open to passengers holding tickets issued on Turkish Airlines 235 stock (ie your ticket number says 235-xxxxxx)

Rules On The Round Trip Ticket

Turkish Airlines is strict on this point and there are tones of minor tweaks to this that you should know if you want to “gain” the system

• Free accommodation can be used on the outbound or return journey.
• In order to benefit from stopover free accommodation service, all outbound and inbound destinations of the flight must be included in the ‘Stopover Destinations’ list.
• The departure and return country of the round trip must be the same for a stopover to apply.

Turkish Airlines Stopover Terms and Conditions

These are the main rules that need to be adhered to for the stopover to apply – I have bolded the main ones for emphasis

• A stopover is only available for passengers transferring via Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) . Outbound and inbound flights should be through Istanbul
• Passengers wishing to benefit from stopover free accommodation service should prefer a transit duration between two flights lasting 20 hours or more.
• In order to benefit from stopover free accommodation service, the application must be sent to the relevant country’s e-mail address at least 72 hours before the first flight . You can obtain more information in  How does the stopover work?  section.
• Passengers using stopover free accommodation service cannot benefit from TourIstanbul service at the same time.
• Passengers without any hotel vouchers cannot benefit from free accommodation service.
• Boarding pass and hotel voucher must be presented during check-in to the hotel.
• After obtaining a hotel voucher for extra accommodation, you can benefit from the special fares of Turkish Airlines by directly contacting the hotel.
• The hotel options provided are subject to the availability of Turkish Airlines contracted hotels.
• Passengers that get an involuntary ticket reissue due to a flight cancellation for operational reasons, cannot benefit from the stopover accommodation service.
• Hotel vouchers are non-changeable after once the voucher is issued by the system .
• Free accommodation is subject to Hotel availability and Turkish Airlines has the right to change terms and conditions at any time.
• Passengers travelling with AnadoluJet cannot benefit from the Stopover Accommodation service.

Turkish Airlines Stopover Eligible City Pairs

City & country pairs, break down of regions.

Turkish Airlines likes to be a bit of an outlier when it comes to defining where countries are. for example, Tajikistan falls under the Middle East on the Star Alliances award chart , but Central Asia on Turkish Airlines award chart.

The source of the below list is here on Turkish Airline’s Website (in case it changes)

Adana, Adıyaman, Ağrı, Ankara, Antalya, Batman, Bingöl, Bodrum, Dalaman, Denizli, Diyarbakır, Edremit, Elazığ, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskişehir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Iğdır, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Konya, Kütahya, Malatya, Mardin, Merzifon, Muş, Nevşehir, Samsun, Şanlıurfa, Sinop, Sivas, Şırnak, Tekirdağ, Trabzon, Van

Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine

Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

North Africa

Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia

Central Africa

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Djibouti, Chad, Dem, Congo C, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea

Southern Africa

Republic of South Africa, Union of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Zambia

Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu

Middle East

Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

Central Asia

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

North America

Antilles Nether, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, United States, Honolulu

South America

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Islands, CHILE, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Maarten (Dutch Part), Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uruguay, Venezuela, Virgin Islands (US)

Brunei, Cambodia, China (except Hong Kong and Macao), China Taipei, Hong Kong – SAR of China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

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• Airline Stopover Programs

Article Comments

34 comments.

[…] amount of time.Just to make it absolutely clear, Turkish Airlines STPC is a separate program to the Visit Turkey Stopover programme – The latter offers a free layover in Istanbul to visit the […]

[…] and variants of this concept exist within the industry, take Singapore Airlines Stopover Program or Turkish Airlines Stopover Program for […]

[…] a new concept and variants of this concept exist within the industry, take Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Finnair’s Stopover Programs for […]

I am visit Canada in October month stopover Turkey,

It’s IMPOSSIBLE to get a hold of them. I have emailed them several times with ALL the information and they have not replied back. I have also tried to call them and they never answer their phones. 🙁

sorry to hear…

did you ensure you have emailed the correct email address of the city pair?

Does the Turkish Airlines Istanbul Stopover (free Hotel accomodation) apply if you are buying a one way ticket on TK or must it be an out and back ticket ? Anyone know?

unfortunately, due to the costs involved (ie the airline giving you a free hotel room), they require a return ticket to be booked. with that said, you can only make use of the free hotel room it in one direction

I want to go usa with turkish air what I should do first,I want to visit historic places in turkey during my journey with free layover.

The first thing I would do is look into the city pairs. as you need to find one to be able to make use of the stopover programme.

from there it’s pretty easy.

However, if you cannot make one work just do a standard stopover – you just have to pay for the hotel room

Will this work, if my final destination is within Turkey(Antalya) and I just want to spend the two nights in IST before heading to Antalya via Turkish ailrines as well? Flying ATL-ANT via IST.

Unfortunately not, because the two destinations must be outside of Turkey (in fact it must be on the “city pairs” for the stop over programme to take effect

I would like to fly from Switzerland to Georgia and back, do a stopover in Istanbul when flying outbound. Is that possible or does it not exist for Swiss passengers?

unfortunately not, the programme is not open to swiss passengers

Do award tickets get stopovers?

im not too sure, there is nothing on flyer talk and TK’s T&C’s don’t mention anything

Hi. Dear Dan, I kindly ask for your consultation on how to use our stopover (we have purchased tickets Tokyo-Istanbul-Dushanbe for business class). The time between flights is almost 18 hours, so we will have to you use this option. How can I choose hotel and book it in advance online? Thank you.

unfortunately, I have to tell you that you will not be eligible, Tajikistan is classed as Central Asia and not the Middle East meaning you won’t be able to benefit from the programme.

you can still build in a stopover (without the complementary hotel) or take part in Touristanbul

Hi, on what email address we can email to book stopover in Istanbul. Thanks

the email addresses change depending on the country you are looking to route to there is a list in my article or you can find them on TK’s website

Is it possible to extend the stopover to 7-10 days? Obviously, not expecting free hotels, I would just like more time in Istanbul. Thanks

I think you would need to buy a multi-city stopover, but I don’t think you would be entitled to even 1 free hotel if you did so. Another downside is that the flight ticket *may be* recalculated – ie instead of a stopover but 2 single tickets.

Leaving USA, final distination is Dubai, can i qualify ?

unfortunately not – the only city pairs that would work from USA include: Africa, Eastern Europe, Balkans, Southern Europe, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Jordan, Afghanistan, Nepal

would Houston – Istanbul -Singapore RT qualify?

no because it doesnt match the USA city pairs. you can only choose from below if you departed from USA.

Africa, Eastern Europe, Balkans, Southern Europe, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Jordan, Afghanistan, Nepal

I think IAH-IST-SIN RT qualifies. In fact ,all international destinations when exiting the US qualify.

https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/stopover/ Exit country Arrival points United States of America All international destinations

yes should do on that route

I have a flight for september from Chicago – IST – Ljubljana, and on the way back, Ljubljana – IST – Chicago. I assume this would qualify under Southern europe or balkans or eastern europe, correct? I tried to enter my flight information into the website and it says “your ticket is not eligible for a stop over accommodation.” But why? I seem to satisfy all criteria. The duration on my way home in IST is 9/19 around noon, and flying out to chicago on 9/21, so it is over 20 hours. I’ve read elsewhere that the tour program (which you note is separate) may only qualify if there is not a connecting flight that can get you to your final destination sooner than the option you have booked, but I don’t see that as a stipulation in the stop over program. It also seems like that would be an impossible stipulation, since if the whole point is to incentivize travels to spend a day or two in istanbul, there are always flight options that would provide shorter connections than 30+ hours. I’ve read through every fine print item and do not see why it would not be accepted. I did also email the [email protected] , but have not heard back yet. Any suggestions? I’d really like to take advantage of this if possible, it was a reason I booked in the first place.

I would give them a quick call to ask why – on the TK website it doesn’t give a number but if you cross-check other countries, its just their main city off number https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/any-questions/get-in-touch/ . here is the one for Chicago (+1 312 595 08 49 / +1 800 874 8875 (Call Center).

there can be a whole host of things. for example the rules state “At least 72 hours before their first flight, passengers can make a reservation by sending their name-surname,”. you are fine on this part if you are flying out in September.

i also don’t think the time is of significant importance, so long as “a connection period of at least 20 hours” is met, then you should be fine. worry about the transit time leads you into the STPC (Stopover Paid by Carrier) area which is something else entirely.

Hello. I would like to fly from the USA to Tbilisi, Georgia. This stopover process is confusing to me so I apologize if the answer to my question is obvious. Is Tbilisi, Georgia a match for the USA city pairs? Thank you.

looks possible, the rules state (but I am not 100% certain as i haven’t tried it)

United States of America All international destinations (Exclude Türkiye Domestic Destinations) [email protected] –

Hi, Before I buy the ticket, I would like to know whether a business class return ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Rovaniemi, Finland through Istanbul with Turkish Airlines is eligible for the Stopover Program.

while i can’t say for certain, it looks possible.

Requirements state: Malaysia Europe, Africa, Americas, Middle East [email protected] +60 3 2164 0849

Findland falls under “Europe 2”

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The Complete Guide to TourIstanbul with Turkish Airlines

Did you know that Turkish Airlines offers a free tour of Istanbul if your layover is longer than six hours? It’s called TourIstanbul, and you can book it directly at the airport! It is a great way to get out and see the city! I recently took a TourIstanbul tour when I had a 14-hour layover at the Istanbul airport. Keep reading for the complete guide to TourIstanbul!

What is TourIstanbul?

What does the tour include, is touristanbul really free, how to signup.

• Is There Luggage Storage Available?

Is TourIstanbul Worth it?

• Get a Free Hotel Room from Turkish Airlines

TourIstanbul is a free tour of Istanbul offered by Turkish Airlines. If your layover at the Istanbul Airport is longer than six hours and the times align, they will take you on a fully guided tour! Additionally, you must be flying on Turkish Airlines to be eligible for these tours.

They pick your tour based on your flight times, so some offer more than others. Either way, it’s a great way to fight that layover boredom!

If you are worried about returning to the airport on time, don’t stress! The TourIstanbul team has planned their schedules carefully to work with your flights. If something goes wrong with the timing, Turkish Airlines will book you on the next flight to your destination!

TourIstanbul provides a bus to the city, a meal, and entry fees into all museums/attractions. Tours range from a few hours to a full-day tour and have a variety of activities.

Unfortunately, my tour didn’t go into specific attractions due to timing. However, we saw iconic landmarks such as the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and many more. After sightseeing, we sat down and had a delicious multi-course meal where I got to try traditional Turkish food. They were even able to accommodate my dietary restrictions as a vegetarian.

Click here to check out the different tours that they offer!

It sounds too good to be true, but TourIstanbul is actually free! However, if you don’t have a visa to enter Turkey, you’ll need to pay for it. You can purchase it on-site at the airport or online in advance. I purchased my visa at the airport because I wanted to make sure that my flight to Turkey wasn’t delayed, and that I would have time to go on the tour.

I have a United States passport and paid around 50 USD for my visa. Click here to review visa information based on which passport you have.

Click here to learn about getting an e-visa in advance.

You can’t signup for TourIstanbul in advance. You have to visit the desk at the airport to register for a tour. Before heading to the tour desk, you must purchase your visa if you don’t have an e-visa. There are visa desks before passport control where you can buy one. Once you purchase it, follow the signs to exit the airport and proceed through passport control. The TourIstanbul desk is opposite of meeting point 4 by arrivals. Click here to view an interactive map to locate the TourIstanbul desk.

Once you locate the desk, you can speak with the agent to schedule your free tour! You will provide them with your ticket number so they can assign you to the tour that best fits your travel day. From there, you can hang out in that area until 30 minutes before your tour time. At that point, return to the desk to prepare for your tour! A guide will meet you and take it from there.

Is There Luggage Storage Avaliable?

If you are traveling with carry-on luggage, you can locate lockers next to the TourIstanbul desk. You can leave your luggage here for a small fee. As you will be walking around the city, I recommend storing your bags in the lockers where they will be safe. I left my backpack and suitcase here, and it was safely stored until I returned from my tour.

It is totally worth it! I love exploring new places, and there’s no better time to do that than when the only other option is sitting in the airport. I loved getting a taste of Istanbul and exploring some of its most iconic destinations. As a solo traveler, it was also a great way to meet others, as we sat together at large tables, and I met travelers from all over the world!

Get a Free Hotel Room From TurkishAir

Some passengers may also be eligible for a free hotel room from Turkish Airlines based on their layover time! You can not take advantage of the free TourIstanbul tour and the hotel room. Additionally, there are many more conditions to receive free accommodation. Check out the list below to see if you qualify!

• If you are economy class, your layover must be longer than 12 hours. For business class, it must be longer than 9 hours.
• If there was a shorter layover time offered, you are not eligible, even if that option is full! This means that you are only eligible if this was the best flight option offered by Turkish Airlines. For example, if you booked a flight that had a 12-hour layover, but there was also a flight with a 4-hour layover to your destination, you are not eligible.
• If you are under 18 you must be accompanied by an adult.

Click here for more information on the Turkish Airlines website! To claim this offer, you must visit the Hotel Desk at the Istanbul airport.

Next time you pass through Istanbul Airport, take advantage of these great opportunities offered by Turkish Airlines! I love finding ways to maximize my flights! Have you been on a TourIstanbul tour before? Leave a comment below about your experience!

If you are booking flights soon, check out my article: “How to Find Cheap Plane Tickets in 2o23!”

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How To Claim a Free Hotel and City Tour With the Turkish Airlines Stopover Program

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers .

The Turkish Airlines stopover program offers a free hotel for up to three nights or a complimentary “TourIstanbul” excursion on shorter layovers. The stopover and layover programs have several caveats, which you'll want to know about before making a reservation.

Here are all the freebies you can take advantage of during your next connection through Istanbul.

Page Contents

Stopover benefits for U.S. departures

Turkish airlines stopover restrictions, who is eligible for the turkish airlines free hotel stopover, free layover hotel for 9+ hour connections in istanbul, claim a free hotel stay with the turkish airlines stopover program.

Many airlines offer a free or nearly free stopover service for long-haul passengers who want to explore the airline's hub city. Qatar Airways offers a stopover package in Doha for as little as $14 per night , and Etihad gives one or two nights in Abu Dhabi for free  or up to four nights with a 40% discount.

Turkish Airlines also has a stopover program, and the full, extensive terms are available here . Travelers from numerous countries can get one or two nights free at a hotel in Istanbul, while those from the U.S. get a bonus night — meaning two or three free hotel nights. However, this program has many restrictions and caveats.

Note that Turkish Airlines' main hub is Istanbul Airport (IST), which is over 20 miles outside the city center. This is the only airport part of this promotion. Turkish Airlines flies out of another airport south of the city — Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) — but it's used for short-haul operations and isn't part of this promotion.

How many free nights you get depends on which class you are flying. Travelers departing from the U.S. get two free nights at a 4-star hotel with an economy ticket — or three free nights at a 5-star hotel with a business-class ticket. Departures from every other country get one free night with an economy ticket and two free nights when flying in business class.

Every departure country has restrictions for the final destination country, except the U.S. In other words, if you're departing from the U.S., your final destination can be any country served by Turkish Airlines — as long as it's not Türkiye itself. If you're departing from the U.K. or any other country, there are limitations on your final destination country.

While passengers departing from the U.S. have better benefits, they also have a longer negotiation process (though Turkish doesn't provide details on the additional steps). However, getting an eVisa for Türkiye is another step, as this is not included in the stopover package.

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage to the Turkish Airlines stopover program is the location of the free hotels. Currently, the closest hotel is over 30 miles from the airport, and ground transportation is not included in the package. Like many other countries, taxis at the Istanbul airport are not always the cheapest, so you might incur significant expenses to enjoy your “free” hotel.

But if you want to keep the stopover as close to “free” as possible, consider taking a bus or the subway (M11 line) from the airport. The subway or a taxi can take as little as 40 minutes, while traffic could drag that out to as much as two hours. Trust me.

The Turkish Airlines stopover program is only available for round-trip flights operated entirely by Turkish Airlines. Codeshare flights are ineligible, with the exception of IndiGo Airways and Pakistan International Airlines for specific routes. Free stays are not provided for “N” and “R” class tickets. Awards tickets are eligible for the stopover program, however.

To qualify for the Turkish Airlines stopover, you must have at least 20 hours in Istanbul between flights. For round-trip flights, passengers can only use the stopover service once on either the outbound or the inbound journey, not both.

All additional costs other than the free nights at the hotel are the passenger's responsibility. This includes ground transportation to and from the hotel, taxes, fees, surcharges, visa expenses, etc.

Only flights booked at least three days (72 hours) in advance are eligible for the stopover program. The stopover program can't be combined with any TourIstanbul offers.

Related: How To Search and Book Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Award Tickets

The Turkish Airlines stopover program shouldn't be confused with the layover service . Turkish Airlines business-class passengers with more than nine hours between flights in Istanbul can get a free night at a hotel. Economy passengers must have 12 hours between flights to qualify for a free night at a hotel.

Just like the stopover program, available hotels are in the city center, 25+ miles from the airport. Although it isn't mentioned on the website, this service apparently includes transportation.

Unlike the stopover program, codeshare flights are eligible for the layover service. However, if the traveler did not select the first available connecting flight, they are not eligible for the layover service.

For example, a passenger flies business class from London to Bangkok via Istanbul. Turkish Airlines has two departure flights scheduled 4 hours and 13 hours after landing. The passenger can't take advantage of the layover service by choosing the first option, as the first flight is not more than nine hours after arrival. And passengers can't intentionally select the later flight to get the layover service. If you want more time in Istanbul, choose the free stopover program instead and book your flights accordingly.

For the layover service, simply go to the Turkish Airlines hotel desk at Istanbul Airport to get your free hotel voucher. This is, of course, provided you meet the criteria.

Free TourIstanbul Excursion With a Layover of 6–24 Hours

A tour option also exists for passengers with layovers between six and 24 hours between connecting flights in Istanbul. You can't get the tour and a free hotel, though. It's one or the other. Of course, if your layover is more than six hours and less than 9 hours (or 12 hours for economy class fares), a tour is your only option.

Eligible passengers can take a tour of Istanbul with the TourIstanbul service . Each day, travelers can choose from eight tours:

• 3.5-hour sightseeing tour departing at 8 a.m.
• 6.5-hour half-day tour departing at 8:30 a.m.
• 9.5-hour full-day tour departing at 8:30 a.m.
• The new 6-hour Turkish Historical Series tour, departing at 10 a.m.
• 6-hour afternoon tour departing at noon
• 5.5-hour afternoon tour departing at 4 p.m.
• 4.5-hour Bosphorous tour departing at 6:30 p.m.
• 4.5-hour shopping tour departing at 6:30 p.m.

Tour lengths and departures are the same every day of the week, but the itineraries for the full-day and afternoon tours differ each day. All tours depart from Istanbul Airport. The tour is free and includes a meal (where applicable) and attraction entrance fees.

Visit the TourIstanbul desk to book your free tour. You must arrive at the desk at least half an hour before the tour starts. For example, arrive before 8 for the 8:30 a.m. tour. Additionally, leave at least an hour and a half after the tour to board your flight. If your connecting flight is at 5 p.m., do not choose a tour that finishes later than 3:30.

Turkish Airlines will take responsibility for any missed flights due to complications on the tour, at no expense to the passenger. However, if you need a visa to enter Türkiye, you are responsible for making arrangements for such.

Related: Layover vs Stopover: What is the Difference?

• Passengers under 18 must have an adult with them.
• Only one tour per passenger.
• Vegetarian meals are available on applicable tours.
• Baggage storage is available at the airport for a fee.
• N and R class (free ticket) tickets are eligible for the tours.

These are some interesting options for Turkish Airlines passengers looking to spend some time in Istanbul. The TourIstanbul offer might be the best option if you don't want extra fees (ground transportation, etc). Just keep in mind that there are limitations to who can choose each option. For all three options, passengers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

What do you think of the Turkish Airlines stopover and layover services?

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Thank you so much for the detailed information! I read about some of these offers on the Turkish Airline website; however, you provide much missing details.

It’s a cool program but also pretty complicated

Touristanbul: Free Istanbul Tour with Turkish Airlines

Touristanbul is a free layover service offered by Turkish Airlines for their international transfer passengers. Turkish Airlines passengers who fly via Istanbul and have a layover of 6-24 hours there are able to tour the largest city of Turkey for free.

You can book a flight with a stopover at Istanbul New Airport (IST) and go on the free Turkish Airlines tour of Istanbul.

You can get a really  good flight deal  for your trip on  Trip.com  or  Kiwi.com . We would recommend checking both flight search systems and compare prices as for different flights any of them can offer better price. 

Free Istanbul Tour Schedule & Itineraries

There are 6 free tours offered by Turkish Airlines. All the tours depart daily from Istanbul New Airport (IST).

Free Istanbul Tour Schedule

The schedule of free Istanbul tours is:

• T01: 08:00 to 11:30 Sightseeing tour
• T02: 08:30 to 15:00 tour
• T03: 08:30 to 16:00 tour
• T04: 12:00 to 18:00 tour
• T05: 16:00 to 21:30 walk tour
• T06: 18:00 to 23:00 Bosphorus tour

T01: 08:00 to 11:30 Sightseeing Tour Itinerary

• Departure from Istanbul Airport
• Following the Coastal Road
• Sightseeing tour (outer visit & sightseeing tour)
• Yedikule Fortress
• Old Samatya Armanian District
• Yeni Kapı Harbour
• Walls of Constantine
• Eminonu District
• Photo break on Galata Bridge for 10 mins
• Dolmabahçe Palace
• Free time at Dolmabahçe Palace for 20 mins
• Departs from Dolmabahçe Palace
• Taksim Square
• Galata Tower
• Golden Horn
• Aqueduct of Valens
• Returns to Istanbul Airport  

T02: 08:30 to 15:00 Tour Itinerary

• Blue Mosque
• Hippodrome: German Fountain
• Serpentine Column
• Obelisk of Thedosius
• Hagia Sophia Museum
• Returns to Istanbul Airport 

T03: 08:30 to 16:00 Tour Itinerary

• Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
• Topkapı Palace
• Grand Covered Bazaar

T04: 12:00 to 18:00 Tour Itinerary

• Pierre Loti Hill & Coffee House
• Eyüp Sultan Mosque & Square
• Byzantine City Walls
• Ayvansaray Sahaba Tombs
• Church of St. Mary (Panagia - Blachernae)
• Balat (a walk through the streets with ancient houses)
• Bulgarian St. Stephen Church (from outside)
• Ahrida Synagogue (from outside)
• Fener Greek Orthodox College (from outside)
• Patriarchate of Istanbul
• Return to Istanbul Airport 

T05: 16:00 to 21:30 Walk Tour Itinerary

• Beyazit Square
• Istanbul University (outer visit)
• Beyazit Tower
• Old Book Market
• Grand Bazaar
• Çorlulu Ali Pasha Mosque
• Tomb of Mahmud the 2nd
• Column of Constantine
• Hippodrome Square
• German Fountain
• Egyptian Obelisk
• Obelisk of Theodosius
• Blue Mosque (outer visit)
• Hagia Sophia (outer visit)

T06: 18:00 to 23:00 Bosphorus Tour Itinerary

• Bosphorus cruise 

How to join a free tour?

You just need to find the Hotel Desk to apply for Touristanbul. The Hotel Desk can be found after passing the passport control and customs at Istanbul Airport. There is no need to book in advance to join the free tour.

Free Istanbul Tour Review

Our review of free tour in Istanbul with Turkish Airlines can be found here: Review of Touristanbul - Free Istanbul Tour with Turkish Airlines .

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Istanbul: A Bridge Between Two Continents

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A Complete Guide To Istanbul With TourIstanbul

Several years ago I visited Istanbul – twice in the span of two weeks. I took advantage of a program that Turkish Airlines still has in operation called TourIstanbul. If you are flying with Turkish Airlines and have a layover between 6-24 hours, you can use two options: book a free hotel for the night or day, or book a free tour of the city.

Please note that this post is not sponsored by TourIstanbul or Turkish Airlines. I enjoyed my tour enough that I thought I would share this valuable piece of information on my own.

I was flying to Japan and had a 12 hour layover in Istanbul on both ends of my trip. The first layover involved a bit of an interesting story, which you can read about here .

I was traveling solo and was arriving in Istanbul late in the evening. The tours only operate from 8:30am – 9pm, so I decided to opt out of the tour and rest in a hotel. Everything was provided for free, from the shuttle bus, to the hotel stay. In the morning, the hotel provided my transportation back to the airport, and I flew to Japan.

On my way back, I had a layover during the day in Istanbul. There are several different options for the length of the tour, and I was able to choose one that started shortly after my flight arrived, included lunch, and transportation to and from the airport.

Visas To Istanbul

Before signing up for the tour, make sure you can get a multiple entry visa to enter Turkey if you need one. As an American I had to buy a visa to leave the airport. At the time, they only accepted exact change in dollars or euros. I saw a few people turned away because they did not have exact change. Currently, visitors from some countries are allowed to obtain their visa on arrival, but there is also a multiple entry visa available as an e-visa where you can purchase it ahead of time online. Multiple entry e-visas currently cost anywhere from $78.95 to $61.50 depending on your nationality, a considerable amount higher than in 2019 when they were $20.

If you have a large suitcase or backpack and don’t want to carry it with you on the tour, there is a luggage storage space in the airport where you can leave your bags. You can find the luggage storage on the Arrivals Floor of the International and Domestic Terminals. It is available 24 hours a day. You might pay anywhere from €2-5 for each bag per day, depending on their size and how many you have that you want to leave in the storage.

Touristanbul

After your arrival at the airport, you can sign up for Touristanbul at the Hotel Desk in the International Arrivals Terminal. You cannot sign up for the tour beforehand and your connecting international flights must be with Turkish Airlines. There are plenty of signs to help you out. I found the Touristanbul helpline very useful when I had questions beforehand. You can also look online to see the various options you have for tours. There are short and long tours, and you can pick and choose according to what you want to see or which times work best for you. My experience five years ago was slightly different from what is published on Turkish Airlines’ website now, but generally, the tour has stayed the same. They always offer transport to and from the airport, and if you choose a long tour then a meal is included.

Istanbul City Recommendations

The blue mosque.

The Blue Mosque was built in 1609 and is known by this name because of the beautiful blue tiles adorning the walls and ceilings inside. The mosque is still used as a place of worship, but tourists are also allowed inside during the day. Note that you are not allowed to wear shoes inside, so if that bothers you make sure to wear socks!

Hagia Sofia

The Hagia Sofia is very close to the Blue Mosque. Also known as the Aya Sofya, its name means “Holy Wisdom.” It used to be a Christian basilica (from 360-1453), then was turned into a mosque (1453-1931) and is now a museum (from 1935). There is an eclectic mix of Islam and Christianity inside. The beauty of the Byzantine interior definitely rivals that of the Blue Mosque.

You might find a line of tourists somewhere within the building. There is a special column called the “sweating column” or “crying column”, made of white marble brought from the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. A bronze belt encircles the lower part of this column and there is a hole big enough to insert a finger. There are many legends and stories about the column. Because of some drops of water coming out from the hole, people believed that this column was “crying” or “sweating.” Many people believe if you stick your thumb in this hole and rotate it clockwise it will bring you luck – hence the line of tourists hoping for some good luck!

In another area you might find some Viking graffiti. Long ago, a Viking scratched his name (Halvdan) in runes on a banister in the Hagia Sophia.

If you are able to get high enough, you will have some very nice views from the top of the Hagia Sofia. The architecture of the roof is beautiful. On a nice day you will be able to see some parts of the city as well.

The Basilica Cistern (the “Sunken Palace”)

These gigantic, underground cisterns were originally built in the 3rd century and reconstructed after a fire in 476. It is said that 7,000 slaves were used to build these cisterns! One of the columns underground was engraved with raised pictures of a hen’s eye, slanted branches, and tears, from the 4th century. Ancient texts suggest that the tears on the column pay tribute to the hundreds of slaves who died during the construction of the Basilica Cistern. The Romans also recycled old columns from buildings in the city to help build the cisterns.

If you can find Medusa’s head, note that it is not right-side up. Tradition says that this head was placed upside down to negate the power of her gaze, which used to turn men into stone. There is another head that was placed sideways, but this was probably to accommodate the height of the column it is supporting!

The German Fountain

The German Fountain is outside in the northern end of the Hippodrome. It was constructed to commemorate the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II’s visit to Istanbul in 1898. It was built in Germany, then transported piece by piece and assembled in Istanbul in 1900. When I went, it did not seem to be attracting that much attention from tourists!

Obelisk of Thutmose III

This obelisk was built in 1490 BC and moved to Constantinople by Theodosius the Great in 390 AD. It survived 3,500 years in pretty good condition! Again, it did not seem to be attracting much attention from tourists.

Istanbul Spice Bazaar

Of course, no trip to Istanbul is complete without a visit to the famous Spice Bazaar. It is here that your tour guide hopes you will spend some money! You might be offered apple or pomegranate tea while you walk through. It is free, but be prepared for the shop owner to want you to look at his wares! I really can’t say enough about the wonderful smells, sights, and sounds of the bazaar. It truly was incredible, and I definitely walked away with some apple tea and Turkish coffee!

Leather Factory

Interestingly, my tour included a trip to the leather factory. Apparently, leather and fashion are quite a thing in Istanbul. we were treated to a surprise fashion show and a browse through the leather shop. We were told since we were using Turkish Airlines we could have a 50% discount off of anything in the store. What they didn’t tell you was the average price of the purses in the room was $800 …

If you choose a longer tour, lunch or some other meal is usually included. We finished off our tour with a traditional Turkish lunch which included cauliflower soup, a cheesy quiche, mashed potatoes, rice, beef, and of course, Turkish coffee. It wasn’t the tastiest meal, and there is a lot better Turkish food out there, but hey – it was free!

On your way out, make sure to check out the duty free shops in the airport. They have great prices for some of the things you might have missed in the bazaar. I managed to score more Turkish coffee and Turkish delight for a great price as gifts for family. There are also Turkish delight samples everywhere if you are hungry!

Final Thoughts On Istanbul

Overall, I would highly recommend taking advantage of Touristanbul’s offer, especially if you have a layover with Turkish Airlines. Being able to visit another amazing city while on a long layover for free was a no-brainer.

Istanbul itself is a remarkable city, bridging the continents of Europe and Asia, with a distinctly Middle Eastern flavor. Although many say that Istanbul is a European city, I would argue otherwise. Its eclectic flavor, style, and people make it unique in the world. Many say it is one of the most romantic, comparable with Paris . Regardless of how romantic one thinks it is, be prepared for an entirely different culture and way of living here.

Have you been to Istanbul or taken advantage of Turkish Airlines’ free tour of the city offer? What was your experience and would you go back? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Karis | Don't Dream, Just Travel

19 comments.

I haven’t been to Istanbul yet, but I’m keen to visit. It seems like such an interesting city 🙂

It’s a really beautiful city, but I’d suggest not going in the spring when I did (although there are less tourists). The weather is so much better later in the year!

is this service still available in December 2021?

Due to pandemic restrictions it’s a good idea to always check the official website. Good luck!

I have been going at least 5 or 6 times a year since early 2000’s for the business. My last trip was 2020 February. I’m going next month and planning to take friends in July for the lifetime experience. I love everything about Istanbul. I know most parts of it and have visited Asian side, Bursa and many Turkey villages.

I heard this program is suspended due to Covid restrictions? Also do US citizens need Visa for this trip?

I’m sure it was suspended but look into it again as things are opening back up and slowly returning to normal again. US citizens do not currently need a visa to visit Türkiye.

Thanks for the information provided in this. Well informed for my layover coming up next month, and even more excited for this service.

Happy to be of help!

It’s interesting article, and I have plan to visit Istanbul.

Great! I hope you enjoy your visit and happy to help!

It sounds so amazing! However, my layover is 20hrs, if I check in for the hotel for the night, what about the daytime? can I just leave my bags at the airport and have a tour by myself?

Yes! I did this on one return trip as well. You can take the day tour with TourIstanbul if it fits with your timing or just do your own thing.

What was the name of the hotel you stayed in and how much was it? Did you say the hotel was free?

I’m sorry, I don’t remember the name of the hotel! It was provided by the airline so it was free.

Thank you for sharing your experience!

You are very welcome! I hope that you are able to visit!

how many hours was your tour. my layover is 7hr 55min. is that enough?

I think my layover was about that long as well. TourIstanbul will arrange your transport to and from the airport so they should be able to tell you if you can make it back in time.

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Roaming With Ren

Blog / Hotels & Accommodation / Travel Abroad / Turkey

24 hours in Istanbul- Taking advantage of the Turkish Airlines Stopover Programme

by · Published · Updated

The Turkish Airlines Stopover Program

I’ll start off the content of our trip to Egypt with a short post regarding taking advantage of the Turkish Airlines S topover Program . The Turkish Airlines Stopover Program offers passengers transiting through Istanbul the opportunity to spend some time in the city on the way to their final destination.  Economy Class passengers may be booked for a FREE one night stay in a 4-star hotel. Business Class passengers may stay two nights in a 5-star hotel. in fact, for flights originating from the US, the allotment is up to 2/3 nights in economy/business class.

From Jamaica, we took the route Kingston-NYC-Istanbul-Cairo >>>> Cairo-NYC- Kingston. We booked KIN-NYC one return ticket (with JetBlue), then NYC to Cairo and back (Turkish Airlines) as a separate ticket. The NYC to Cairo leg included a layover stop in Istanbul, the hub for Turkish Airlines. So we decided to take advantage of this and stay in Istanbul for one night. Once I realised that we could qualify for the offer from the airline and I couldn’t resist trying it out.

Booking through the Stopover Program was relatively simple. I sent an email with my info to the address given for my region (as per their website ). They responded shortly thereafter with vouchers for the hotel. Then I didn’t have to do anything else. I double checked with the hotel to ensure that they received the reservation details, and found that everything was in order.

I really like Istanbul, and I would take the opportunity to stopover again if it presents itself. If you really can’t spare a whole night, but you have a layover of between 6-18 hours, they also offer some shortened city tours as part the program. So there’s still a way for you to see something. Go for it! I don’t think you’ll regret it.

The Hotel- Armada Hotel Istanbul

We organised roundtrip airport transfers to our hotels beforehand with Istanbul Shuttle Port . I’m always a proponent of doing this advance; you know exactly what the cost is up front, there’s no haggling, and it’s one less thing to think of. If things go as they should, you walkout the airport and meet the associate/vehicle waiting for you.

The rest of our party stayed at the Walton Galata in the Karakoy area. Since we had stayed in Sultanhamet the last time we were in Istanbul, they wanted to try something different. Karakoy is closer to more modern parts of the city, meanwhile Sultanhamet is the heart of old Istanbul. For a first time visitor to the city, I would definitely recommend staying in Sultanhamet, especially if the visit is a short one. Many of the major sites are concentrated within or nearby this district. These include, among others; The Blue Mosque, The Hagia Sofia, The Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern etc

The airline booked us into the Armada Hotel Istanbu l which is located in the Sultanhamet neighborhood. As I mentioned before, Sultanhamet is home to many major sights of Istanbul. I was very pleased with the hotel. The room while not large, was quite comfortable with decent amenities. The receptionist also upgraded us to a room with a view of the sea, so that was a pleasant surprise. They have a lovely terrace that I had forgetten to check out, but below is a picture from their website. We left too early the next morning to sample the breakfast offering, but based on the rest of the experience we had I’m sure it was good.

Hammam Visit

The last time we were in Istanbul , I had wanted to visit a hammam, however it just didn’t happen based on the other activities we chose to do. So I decided that I would partake this time around. I figured it that would be a nice way to spend part of the day following a transatlantic flight. As it turns out, I wasnt wrong! I had been in some conversation with the concierge at the hotel in the weeks before our arrival, and they arranged the appointment at a hammam that had a car service. So shortly after checking in and settling in a little, we were shuttled the branch of the Sultan Suleyam Hammams located at the Sultan Suleyam Palace Hotel.

There are several levels of offerings on the spa menu, however I chose the traditional hammam ritual.

We were first shown into a locker room area to change. They provide some generic disposable garments, however they’re one size fits all, so they might not actually fit. In that case you can remain in your own underwear if preferable. Bear in mind that they will be thoroughly sokaed during the process.

At this hammam the attendants were exclusively female. However there are others where the attendants are exclusively male, or there is an option for male or female. You would just have to let your preference be known/ do your research before booking.

We were then taken to start in the sauna, then moved to the steam room. Next we were administered the traditional scrub, foam bath and massage atop a marble slab paltform. After we finished up there, we were lead to a room where we were offered the tea and snacks. They even gave us an add-on upgrade of a face mask while we sat and decompressed.

I definitely felt refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the day. It’s an activity I would recommend if you have the time. There are hammams all over the city with opening hours ranging from the crack of dawn to near midnight.

How we spent the rest of the day

By this time the rest our group were making their way up to the Sultanhamet Park area, which is where the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia are located. After shedding whatever we didn’t need for the rest of the day back at the hotel, we struck out on foot to meet them. We stopped for a quick kebab on our way up and then soon were in view of our destination.

By the time we met up with the others they had mostly taken in the sights, and so we decided to move on. We took the tram down to Eminonou, and then a taxi up to Nişantaşı. This section of the city houses many retail shops and luxury/designer brands, and we spent some time milling about there. In my experience Istanbul is a good option for shopping; a sentiment that has been reiterated by my luxury brand shopping friends especially.

Later that evening, we had dinner reservations at Tershane restaurant , which is located on the 8th floor of Hotel Momento. Tershane has a Michelin guide Bib Gourmand designation, and offers mostly Turkish fare, specialising in grilled meats. The restaurant had lovely views of the Bosphorous and the old part of the city.

We then retired to our respective hotels very much ready to start the “real’ trip the next day in Egypt. I know that’s the content much of my audience is waiting for, but bear with me, life is life-ing right now! I won’t leave you hanging. However I wanted to let everyone know that the Turkish Airlines Stopover Program is well worth exploring.

General Tips

• Book you transfers beforehand
• Jamaican/CARICOM passport holders can apply for an e-visa valid for 90 days. It’s a simple process and the cost is USD $20.
• Turkish Lira/Euros are preferred currencies
• Definitely pencil in some shopping time. Whether it is in the more traditional markets, streetside stores, or global brands, there are lots of deals to be had in Istanbul. Money stretches far!
• Stay in the Sultanhamet area.
• The light rail system is one of the best ways to get around.

Stay tuned for the next ppost with an overview of the whole trip including logistics and tips!

Tags: Turkish Airlines Stopover Program

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[…] I decided to take advantage of the Turkish Airlines stopover programme. The programme offers passengers transiting through Istanbul the opportunity to spend some time in the city on the way to their final destination.  Economy Class passengers may be booked for one night stay in a 4-star hotel, Business Class passengers may stay two nights in a 5-star hotel free of charge. Flights originating in the USA have the benefit of up to two or three nights as economy/business class passengers. We were booked into the Armada Hotel Istanbul. I speak more about this in this post. […]

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All about Turkish Airlines’ Free Istanbul Tour for Transit Passengers Flying between USA and India

We do mostly purchase itineraries with a short layover (2-3 hours) for long-haul international flights between USA and India. If our connecting flight happens to be delayed at a transit airport, we feel out of breath. How would it be if you are offered a complimentary tour of the transit city during a long layover? Amazing! Isn’t it? If you get good deals for Turkish Airlines’ USA to India flights with a minimum 6-hour layover at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, just grab it. Turkish Airlines offers Touristanbul, a guided Istanbul City tour for free to its international passengers in transit.

Turkish Airlines’ Free Istanbul Tour for Transit Passengers

If you are flying Turkish Airlines from USA to India, and if your itinerary has a layover of 6 hours or more at Istanbul International Airport, you should not miss the free Istanbul sightseeing tour. Why not make your layover at Istanbul a travel diary full of ‘selfie’ moments at some of the historical landmarks in the city, rather than waiting for the connecting flight?

Visa Requirement for Touristanbul Program

Do I need a Turkish visa to get on a (free) tour of Istanbul while in transit? Getting on a city tour, though during a layover, means exiting Istanbul airport and entering the country; hence, it requires a Turkish visa. Indians having a valid US visa or Green Card (lawful residence permit), a UK or Ireland visa, or a Schengen visa, are eligible for a single-entry e-visa to Turkey. You can obtain an e-visa from Turkey Government’s e-visa portal or Turkish Airlines’ counter or desk at the departure airport.

Turkey is a visa-free destination for US citizens

US citizens are exempt from the visa requirement to visit Turkey as the country granted visa-free travel access to the United States. If you are a US passport holder, you are eligible for visa-free stay in Turkey for up to 90 days in a period of six months. Not just for Americans, Turkey is now a visa-free destination and transit stopover for Canadians as well. So, as a transit passenger with a US/Canadian passport, you can take advantage of the visa-free entry to Turkey and embark on a sightseeing tour during your long layover.

Suitable for family travelers, backpackers and solo trippers;  the Touristanbul program covers all expenses for meals, transportation, tourist site entry fees and museum tickets. It is focused on Istanbul’s historical places, heritage sites, natural tourist attractions and beautiful restaurants. No advance registration for the program is required. You can sign up for Touristanbul at the Hotel Desk in Istanbul Airport’s International Arrivals Terminal. If you check in your baggage for the connecting flight, you can keep the bags at the airport’s baggage storage facility for a nominal fee.

Turkish Airlines’ unaccompanied passengers under 18 years of age are not eligible for the free Istanbul City tour, Touristanbul. There is something more exclusive for passengers of Turkish Airlines’ business class flights.

Bosphorus Experience for Turkish Airlines’ Business Class Travelers

It will definitely be a cherry on the cake for Turkish Airlines’ passengers who have got cheap business class flight tickets to India or other destination via Istanbul. Yes, your itinerary must include at least 7-hour wait time at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. As part of the Bosphorus Experience in the city of Istanbul, you can have an exclusive, luxury motorboat ride on the Bosphorus River and drink to breathtaking views of the historical landmarks such as Dolmabahce Palace, the Maiden’s Tower, Galata Tower and Topkapi Palace. Turkish Airlines’ business class travelers in transit can have an unforgettable tryst with the city’s unmatched grandeur and magnificence while dining at any of the waterfront restaurants of Çırağan Palace Kempinski.

Turkish Airlines’ Overnight Stopover Program for Transit Passengers     

What to do if your Turkish Airlines flight to India or USA includes connection time of 20 hours or more in Istanbul? You can sign up for Turkish airlines’ free Stopover Program for international transit passengers , regardless of your travel class. Passengers of Turkish Airlines’ economy flights to India or USA are eligible for complimentary one-night accommodation at a 4-star hotel. Those traveling on Turkish Airlines’ business class flights between USA and India will get complimentary stay for two nights in a 5-star hotel.

How to apply for free hotel accommodation under the Istanbul Stopover Program?

Once you have booked a US-India round-trip itinerary of Turkish Airlines through Indian Eagle , a most trusted travel-booking partner of Indian Diaspora, you are needed to follow a process detailed here . The airline will issue a hotel voucher to you after you provide your PNR/ticket number, valid email ID, phone number and your preferred room type (single or double) at least 72 hours prior to your departure from the country of travel origin. The stopover program can be availed for either onward or return trip.

What are the best tourist places to visit in Istanbul during a stopover?

Unique in geography and rich in history, Istanbul is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with an unmistakable old-world charm to it. The city is a treasure trove of historical, cultural and architectural wonders. Two of the unmissable tourist attractions you must visit during a Istanbul stopover are the iconic Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque – the masterpieces of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture respectively. Also, Topkapi Palace, Sultanahmet Square, Galata Tower, Basilica Cistern, and Kariye Museum are havens for history and architecture enthusiasts. The colorful Grand Bazaar is the ultimate hunting ground for shopaholics whereas the Bosphorus Cruise immerses you in the beauty of Istanbul skyline on laidback evenings.

I have a long layover at Istanbul Airport both during my onward travel from US to India and return trip. If I apply for Touristanbul, will I still be eligible for Free Istanbul Stopover while returning?

No. You can only avail one of the two free programs offered by Turkish Airlines. No passenger can apply for both Touristanbul and Free Istanbul Stopover for the same itinerary.

My flight got canceled due to operational reasons and I had to reschedule my travel. Should I rebook Turkish Airlines’ stopover program? 

Yes, you need to rebook the stopover program and free hotel accommodation service. Your current booking of Turkish Airlines’ free stopover program will be automatically cancelled in case your flight is cancelled due to operational reasons.

My US-India itinerary involves Turkish Airlines’ codeshare flights with IndiGo. Can I apply for the Free Istanbul Stopover Accommodation service?

Yes, Turkish Airlines’ US-India itineraries involving flights operated by its codeshare partner, IndiGo, qualify for the Free Istanbul Stopover Accommodation service. You can avail the free stopover program either during your onward trip to India or return journey to the USA.

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4 thoughts on “ all about turkish airlines’ free istanbul tour for transit passengers flying between usa and india ”.

I am travelling with family during May 2019 to England. Can we avail the free Istanbul city tour if we book Turkish Airlines flight? What is the minimun criteria to avail the city tour?

Don’t waste your time in this airlines sponsored tour. The tour operator/guide will take you to the merchants who give him kickbacks. We sat in the bus for more than an hour each at from airport to the city and back and all that we were shown was the big bazar. Even a pathetic dinner is included. If you really really want to see Istanbul, get a cab/bus. Otherwise chill in the beautiful airlines lounge if you travel business.

Please explain about this tour

Please do not waste your time on this “free” cin this free city tour. First off, the city is at least 1 1/2 hr ride away from the airport even in best of time. Secondly the guide will take you to his favorite shops and park you there for almost the entire time.

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Turkish Airlines launches four-times-weekly service to Sydney

Business aviation.

This marks Turkey’s second destination in Australia after Melbourne

Dubai: Turkish Airlines, Turkey’s national carrier, has announced plans to launch flights to Sydney, Australia’s largest city, marking its second destination after Melbourne. Starting December 4, the airline will operate four weekly flights between Istanbul and Sydney, with a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. The route will be serviced by Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the airline announced on Monday.

“This new route not only strengthens Turkish Airlines’ presence in the continent within its network but also continues to bolster ties between Türkiye and Australia, driving growth in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange,” the airline said.

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Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, said, “This new route not only enhances our flight network but also reaffirms our commitment to our presence in Australia as we connect our guests to new opportunities and experiences with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, stated that the NSW government has worked closely with Sydney.

Commenting on the new development, the Australian Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, said that the NSW government has worked closely with the Sydney Airport and Turkish Airlines to secure the new service. “I am thrilled that Turkish Airlines is touching down in Sydney for the first time, providing European travellers with direct access to our state’s world-class visitor experiences. Sydney is the gateway to Australia, and supporting this new route holds enormous potential for the growth of the state’s visitor economy,” said Graham.

Meanwhile, Scott Charlton, CEO of Sydney Airport, said, “This announcement of direct flights marks a significant milestone for travel to Europe, offering passengers seamless access to hundreds of destinations from Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub.”

“With more than 15,000 Turkish-born Australians in New South Wales and Türkiye consistently rated as one of the top destinations for Australian travellers, we’re confident this service will be strongly supported,” he added.

The airline said passengers from the MENA region can enhance their journey through Istanbul with services such as ‘Stopover Istanbul’—which offers a free hotel stay for layovers of 20 hours or more—or “TourIstanbul,” which provides free guided tours of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks for layovers between 6 and 24 hours.

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Introducing Mersin

Over the centuries, Mersin has been ruled by the Hittites, the Persians, the Macedonians, the Romans, the Seljuks and the Ottomans, among others. The city’s importance as a settlement since prehistoric times makes it a historical region in itself. The highlights of Mersin include the Mersin Archaeology Museum, an ideal place to learn about the area’s history, as well as the Kız Kalesi ( Maiden Castle ), Mamure Castle and Anemurium Ancient City. Mersin’s natural beauty is evident in sites such as Aynalıgöl (Gilindire) Cave, Mut Yerköprü Waterfall and Sunturas Waterfall, all of which are popular destinations for nature tourism. Visitors seeking a relaxing and enjoyable summer vacation come for the area’s clean, lively beaches. There are numerous swimming spots along the Mediterranean coast, including Tisan Peninsula, Boğsak Bay, Akçakıl Beach and Kızkalesi Public Beach. For more information, check out our list of Mersin attractions . Book a flight to Mersin today and prepare for a new adventure!

For a brand-new story: Book a flight to Mersin now

Turkish Airlines operates direct flights between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Mersin’s Çukurova International Airport (COV). Flights between Istanbul and Mersin take about an hour and forty minutes. Flights departing from other cities connect through Istanbul Airport (IST), with flight times varying according to the connection. Check Mersin flight ticket fares to take advantage of the benefits and convenience of online booking.

About Çukurova International Airport (COV)

Çukurova International Airport (COV), in Mersin's Tarsus district, serves the Mersin and Adana regions; in addition, it serves as an alternative airport for several cities, particularly Niğde. The airport covers an area of eight million square meters, with the terminal building taking up 110,000 square meters of that, and serves as the region's international gateway, with an annual passenger capacity of nine million and a parking lot for 1,500 vehicles. Check the Mersin flight ticket fares to plan a comfortable trip!

Mersin is known for:

Quick information, nearby cities, country code, electric power, avg. price of a coffee, avg. price of a meal (2 people), average temperature, çukurova international airport (cov) transport information, public transport:.

Çukurova International Airport (COV), located in Mersin's Tarsus district, has various transportation options. HAVAMAŞ buses provide public transportation from the airport to Mersin. The Sayapark Shopping Mall, Forum Mersin Shopping Mall, and Tarsus Cleopatra City Square are all part of the transportation network connecting the airport and the city.

Average time from airport: N/A

Distance from airport: N/A

HAVAMAŞ taxis are available 24/7 on the domestic and international arrivals and departure floors of Çukurova International Airport (COV). VIP vehicles are also available to provide a private and luxurious travel experience.

Average taxi price: N/A

CAR RENTAL:

Get on the road with some extra rewards. Book an Avis car and you can earn up to 4000 bonus Miles, depending on how long you rent. With Budget, there’s 35% off Turkey rentals and up to 2500 in bonus Miles.

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Earn 2 Miles for EUR 1 at our accommodations

Thanks to our partnership with Booking.com and Jolly, you can earn 2 Miles for EUR 1, which you can spend anywhere from friendly family lodgings, 5-star hotels, hostels to villas.

Frequently asked questions about flights to Mersin

Which airports serve turkish airlines’ mersin flights learn more.

Çukurova International Airport (COV), in the Tarsus district of Mersin, serves Mersin, Adana and neighboring provinces. Çukurova International Airport replaced Adana Airport (ADA).

How do I find the best fares for Mersin flights? Learn more

What are the advantages of buying plane tickets to mersin via the turkish airlines website learn more.

You can enjoy numerous advantages by booking your flight to Mersin via the Turkish Airlines mobile application or at turkishairlines.com. Purchasing through our online channels is efficient and convenient; you can also take advantage of campaigns and opportunities, price protection, online check-in and mobile boarding pass creation. In addition, you can conduct transactions in 16 different languages on our website and in eight languages on the mobile application. And, in case of possible disruptions, you can perform transactions quickly through our online channels or call center.

What is the baggage allowance on flights to Mersin? Learn more

On flights to and from Mersin, your baggage allowance will vary according to the type of ticket you have purchased. You can select the amount of baggage allowance suitable for your needs during the ticket creation steps, and you can benefit from our  extra baggage service if necessary.

Can I rent a car at Çukurova International Airport (COV)? Learn more

Car rental services are available at Çukurova International Airport (COV). Visit our car rental page to earn Miles and discounts while driving your rental vehicle.

Is there food and beverage service on flights to Mersin? Learn more

We offer delicious catering on both domestic and international flights to Mersin. You can visit the link for more information about our in-flight catering.

Can I bring my pet on Mersin flights? Learn more

We also transport pets on Mersin flights, according to availability and within certain rules. For more information, please check the traveling with pets page.

Can I use my Miles when booking flights to Mersin? Learn more

When booking a flight ticket to Mersin, you can create an award ticket using Miles depending on the availability of the aircraft.