[Wendy]

i am going over to Izmir on Wednesday, with a stop in Istanbul. I have been told that for domestic flights you only have to be at the airport about 30 minutes or an hour before the flight leaves. Is this true?
And has anyone ever done a transfer in istanbul? do i have to get my luggage again? i heard its a big airport, i hope i dont get lost

[ally]

Hi Wendy

I flew from Dublin to Izmir 2 weeks ago with a transfer in Istanbul. Our flight landed at 9.05pm and the Izmir flight was leaving at 10pm.
Passports are stamped/visa's bought at Istanbul airport, not Izmir.
I then had to go out of the International terminal and go to the Domestic terminal which is just across the road. There's quite a walk ahead of you before you reach the check-in desks.
I wasnt given my Boarding Pass for the Izmir flight in Dublin so had to go to the THY check-in desk and get my Pass. When I reached the gate everyone was starting to board. I had almost ran all the way from the International terminal as I was convinced I'd be late and miss the flight. AND I was weighed down with Duty Free! lol

Alison

[kay]

Wendy I've also done the 500 yards dash a few times. If the luggage comes off quickly at international its fine - but mine has developed a bad habit of being last!!!. Ally has described the situation perfectly. I have heard of some people who if they are travelling THY internationally and going onto domestic have had their luggage taken after customs etc to a transfer desk but have never managed to do that myself. I usually fly emirates and have to do the hard yards at a fast trot!.

good luck

[Wendy]

omg... you are making me scared now, i never been in istanbul before, i dont know my way...

[Maria G]

Wendy, don't worry about not finding your way around Istanbul airport. It is well signposted from the International to the Domestic so you will be fine. I know the 1st time I did the trip on my own I was like yourself worried that I would not find my way around but it was fine. Are you spending Christmas in Turkey....you lucky thing. Have a safe trip.

Maria

[Wendy]

no i'm just going over for 10 days, to visit my boyfriend and some mates of mine. It was too expensive to go for christmas.

[kay]

Its really well signposted. Not even I can get lost and Im one of the worlds worst navigators. Enjoy and don't worry.

[Tilli]

I was just about to start a new thread on this topic when I found this one.
We have booked our 1st trip to Kus this year for March, from Dublin to Izmir via Istanbul.
I'm starting to worry already as there is only an hour between landing in Istanbul and the last flight to Izmir leaving.
So, my question is.
We are flying with THY. Do we have to collect our luggage in Istanbul or is it automatically transfered to the Izmir flight?

(As an aside, I did this trip once before from London many many years ago on my own (first ever trip to Turkey) and got so lost and got into such a panic that I ended up with a Police Escort to the Izmir flight. It was like being a member of royalty. The police were ever so friendly and when they couldn't explain to me that I was not going to miss the flight, they ended up bringing me themselves.
I was laden with bags (God be with the days before they limited your luggage weight) and they called a porter to carry the bags for me and we all just trotted off after the Police.
The rest of the passengers thought I was some VIP!!
My Turkish friends (that I was going to visit in Izmir) were gobsmacked).

I somehow don't think this would work again or in these days so would like to be well prepared this time!!!

[**claire**]

Tiili,
if you are travelling with TK the whole way thru, your luggage should be checked all the way to Izmir.

you will need to go thru customs & get your visa in Istanbul tho

[Wendy]

hey i did the same in december. Your luggage goes through, so no worries there. Make sure you have enough time in istanbul, cause you have to get in line for your visa, and it's quite a walk to the domestic terminal.
When you go through passport controle, just follow the signs "domestic terminal" (they are everywhere). You have to cross a street, and just across from the international terminal you will see elevators. Take one, inside is also clearly marked on what floor the domestic terminal is. Don't go past the elevators, cause there are men there that will ask you money to bring you where you have to be. They take you around, but the end is the same.
After the elevator you will have to use about 3 stairs, and will pass 2 luggage checks.
It took me almost 50 minutes (visa, the walk, the checks...).
But it is not complicated as long as you stay calm.