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You need to check the entry conditions to Turkey for Indian citizens.

I can't remember the name of it, but it was about one hour away from the airport.

There's not much to do inside the airport. There are plenty of places to eat and shop, but that's about it. The WiFi also only lasts for one hour unfortunately.

You can only choose one, the hotel or the tour :)

Hey, the hotel will let you know when the bus will come to pick you up. If your flight is at 3am, I assume you will get picked up at around 11pm.

It didn't have a name as far as I know. It's just the public camp :)

Hi Muhammad, have you purchased your ticket directly through Turkish Airlines all the way to Jakarta? If yes, then you should be eligible for the free hotel, as you will be flying onwards with Turkish Airlines partners.

Unfortunately I don't. I have no idea where the hotel was located in relation to the city centre. I arrived there quite late and didn't leave the hotel until I was picked up the next day.

Unfortunately, if there is a flight that has a shorter layover on the same route, you won't be eligible for the free hotel.

You can't book it in advance, you have to request it at the hostel desk when you arrive

no, the rule doesn't apply to tours. You can go on a free tour no matter long your layover is :)

In theory, you should still get the free hotel. But it's best to email them and ask.

You should definitely check if there is any other flight departing to your final destination earlier, as that's how they calculate the layover time. If there is none, then yes, for a 27 hours layover you are entitled to a free hotel both ways.

The free hotel is available for layovers over 24 hours as well, as long as there is no other earlier flight connecting the destinations you are flying to and from.

As long as there is no other earlier flight connecting the destinations you are flying to and from, yes, you will get the free hotel. However, you can't get the hotel and the tour, you have to pick one. I chose the tour on my outbound flight, and the hotel on my way back.

Do I need to take my checked in luggage during the layover?

Please don't share your booking code, someone can modify your reservation!!! Please watch the video to see what you need to do to get the free hotel, you can't apply for it before arriving at Istanbul Airport.

It is clearly mentioned in the terms and conditions that there must not be another earlier flight in order to get the free hotel. If you choose a later flight just to get a free hotel, you won't be able to take advantage of this scheme. I also mention this several times in the video.

@@JoannaNemes yes, I was aware of that; however, the earlier connection was impossible for even a smaller airport than IST. The flight combinations in question I booked, to this day have a banner on the left that says free hotel. They shouldn't be advertising it this way given the earlier impossible flight connections. It is blatant false advertising to get you to book with them. No doubt people have good experiences with the scheme.. My comments are just to make travellers aware that it may show up as a "free hotel" at the booking stage but even if there is an impossible 20 min connection between flights for an earlier one, they will deny the hotel.

It depends on your nationality. You should check the entry requirements into Turkey, as the hotels are in the city and you will need to clear immigration in order to get to the Hotel Desk.

For over 12 hours, and only if there is no other earlier flight towards your final destination.

@@JoannaNemes yes but how will you get documentation to prove that you are staying at that hotel. Will customer service organize everything.in this case will you have to go through security again

@@duaneowens7777 I am not sure I understand what you mean. To get the free hotel you have to go to the Hotel Desk, which is after the security, not before. There is no documentation needed, all you have to do is present your boarding pass to the hotel desk, they will check your layover and book the hotel for you. Then a shuttle will come to pick you up and take you to the hotel. They work with many hotels and you never know which one you will end up at.

Just opposite the Tour Desk there is a place where you can leave your luggage. I left mine there and I remember it was very cheap, something like the equivalent of 4 euros for the day.

@@JoannaNemes thank you!

I don't think you can't get the free hotel because of this technicality. They might argue that there is another flight that reduces your layover to 2.5 hours. But you should try anyway! However, you can still go on one of their free tours of Istanbul, as for those it doesn't matter. When I started my trip I chose to pay and stay at a hotel near the new airport, and go on a free tour. On my return, I picked the free hotel. If it doesn't work out, you can find very affordable hotels near the airport, that include a shuttle to and from as well.

@@JoannaNemes Thank you so much for the reply ❤️ I'll definitely try.

I travelled hand luggage only. Usually your luggage will be checked in all the way to your final destination.

Yes, if your nationality requires it. The hotels and the hotel desk are outside of the security area.

You first have to check that there are no other flights to your destination at an earlier time, the the flights were booked by someone else. Then you have to go to the Hotel desk once you land in Istanbul and request a hotel based on your long layover. I explained in the video where exactly the hotel desk is and how to reach it from when you exit the security zone.

@@JoannaNemes Do I need any type of transit visa or something?

​@@sonikadangol9552 You should check with your embassy, every country has its own visa agreements and requirements.

@@JoannaNemes Did you have visa or you just asked and got it?

@@sonikadangol9552 I don't need a visa to visit Turkey. I can't advise you on visa requirements because each nationality has different rules. You must check with the official sources in your country if you need a visa or not to enter Turkey.

It depends on your nationality. You should check with your embassy. I have a EU passport and didn't need a visa, I got a stamp on arrival which granted me 90 days in the country.

@@JoannaNemes ty sweety your a star ....lots of love and happiness to you .

@@mountainman9606 Thank you, the same to you :) I hope you'll enjoy Istanbul, I really liked it and would love to return.

You can only book the hotel once you land in Istanbul, at the Tour Istanbul office. If you watch the video, I tell you where it is and how to get there once you clear customs.

do we need to claim our buggage and recheck in tomorrow to our final destination?

No, you can either choose the tour or the hotel.

@@JoannaNemes oh got it Hote is much better if my layover is 22h lol

The company you go with pays the fees

No, you have to bring your own tent.

I booked my hotel through booking.com and they offered pick-up and drop off at the airport for an extra fee. The hotel was about 15 minutes away from the airport but I'm afraid I can't remember the name. On my way back, as my layover was very long, I asked for the free hotel at TourIstanbul because I flew with Turkish Airlines and was entitled to it.

Yes, you need a visa to enter Turkey.

@@JoannaNemes but In touristanbul service they provide visa on arrival

@@amanojha4186 They won't provide the visa for you, that is your responsibility. It also depends on your nationality, as some don't need a visa for up to 30 days for touristic purposes. I didn't need a visa for example.

You can get a free city tour. You must have a layover of over 12 hours in order to get a free hotel.

you will need a visa it you leave the airport

Camping in Serengeti is not dangerous at all. Yes, you do get animals coming in the camp grounds, but it's mostly antelopes and zebras at the early hours of the morning, and hyenas in the night because they smell the food in the kitchen. They are all harmless. Usually you will go to bed before the cooks do, and no animal comes in whilst there is still noise. Some camps have guards who stay up at night to scare the wild animals.

@@JoannaNemes Thank you so much for your helpful response! I feel a little more at ease now :)

You should be able to get the free hotel, as the layover must be 12 hours or over.

@@JoannaNemes Thank you

I can't advise on visa requirements, you should check the entry requirements to Turkey for Italian citizens. :)

Thank you 😊💗

Thank you for your notes and for taking the time to write this comment. As you surely noticed, I am not a videographer, I just created this video in order to help other people. If the sound bothers you, then don't watch. :)

Yes, everyone must check the visa requirements, as the hotels are after immigration

I think the minimum tour is 3-4 hours, so I would imagine you must have at least a 6 hours layover in order to go. It takes around one hour to travel to the city centre from the airport, depending on the traffic.

Yes, you need to clear customs before you get to the hotel desk, so you must check the entry requirements for your nationality.