I have a 12-hour layover in Istanbul. Will I be able to leave the airport to do some sightseeing in the city?

score:6

Accepted answer

The other answers are really awesome. To me it looks a bit like all your asking is are you allowed to leave the airport on this layover?

Given that you

hold a passport which does not require a visa to enter Turkey

You are basically a free person in Turkey, you are not being held in the airport etc, you can go where you like. There are no border restrictions against you going into the country, though it's possible there may be restrictions about what you can bring in with you, scans, bag checks whatever, which you should be informed about as you pass through on your way out of the terminal.

There are also no airline restrictions. As long as they let you off the plane, and have given you the time of the connecting flight, they do not require to you remain in the terminal, except, of course, that you should be there in time to catch the connecting flight. You can leave the terminal and go where you like in the meantime.

Upvote:0

I had an eight hour layover on my way to Damascus so I got out and took the train to the center. I enjoyed a lively Friday evening on Δ°stiklal and then took a cab back to the airport at 01:00 or so.

So yes, very easily doable.

Upvote:3

Just after leaving the airplane, there's passport control, which is long because they're understaffed.

It takes 45-60 minutes to get to taksim square, by either shuttle bus or metro. The bus because is easier, the metro is more dependable. A bus leaves every half hour. Hop in, the driver will walk and ask all passengers for money. In Turkey euros and dollars are commonly accepted.

Taksim square is pretty boring for a tourist. The nicest area is between Sultanahmet and Eminonu.

Your plan is totally doable. Have fun!

EDIT: The bus has "Havatas" written in large letters on the sides, you can't miss it. It costs 14 lirasi, around 5 euros. It's a direct bus to Taksim, if i recall correctly (in all other turkish cities i visited, it was not direct).

Alternatively, for the metro, you need to take the red line to the terminus, Aksaray, and from there take the tramway direction Kabatas, and it's 4 stops to Sultanahmet. There you'll find Hagia Sophia and delicious ice cream.

Upvote:19

As you're traveling with Turkish Airlines and have a long layover, you can ask for a free tour of the city, hosted by Turkish Airlines. Here's some info:

http://www.istanbulinhours.com/tour-schedule

You should confirm this with the airline beforehand, as what's available depends on your schedule. Depending on the time and duration of your layover, you might be able to get a free hotel instead.

I've used this service in the past. It's a bit touristy, but also surprisingly decent.

When I got the tour, I did not have to book beforehand. I just presented myself at a Turkish Airlines desk at Ataturk International Airport.

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