Transit In Istanbul Ataturk Airport

[Bigfellah]

I am travelling with Turkish Airlines from London to South Africa via Istanbul. There is a gap of about 7 hours between landing and onward flight - enough to go into Istanbul for a few hours. I'd like to check whether this is permitted (obtaining a £10 Visa) or whether I need to stay at the airport all the time.
Thank you.

[VHG]

There may be a 7 hour gap but by the time you are out of customs from the flight IN, then have to be there 2 hours before to check in for the next flight OUT all of a sudden it is down to 4 about hours.

Too risky to leave the airport.

[murraymints]

I'm with vhg....not enough time to venture out....Eat ...peek n airport shops..check in and have a bit shut eye in departure lounge.....by your gate of course....

[jd_1984]

Im with VHG on this one.
7 hours sounds a long time but depending on how busy the airport is, clearing customs etc.. you may be risking it to leave and do a quick tour of Istanbul. You tend to arrive 3hr prior to departure for international flights, so take that off the 7hrs and then from touch down on the runway (the arrival time) to clearing customs could be anything from 45mins - 2hrs. Take that off as well. The city centre is 20km away from the airport and roads can be busy.

Ultimately I am looking at worse case scenario balanced against how much of the city you could actually see anyway, your choice of course.

[jno]

it appears there's now a train to town

http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/media/8540/erisim_2200px_1546px-01.jpg

My own advice would be wait and see just how much time you do have once you've landed and picked up your luggage (if for instance you were able to check in online for the second leg, that would save you an hour or so).

[237SJ]

If your luggage is in direct transit (you won`t have to pick it up) and you will presumably be already checked in for the second flight, and assuming you are on time, you should have a bit of time to maybe nip to the Grand Bazaar or a quck visit to somewhere. Make allowances for the traffic as well.

[Bigfellah]

Many thanks for all your replies - all very helpful.

[jno]

looks as though you could take a train to the end of the line at Aksaray, then switch to a tram at ground level to Beyazit (for the grand bazaar) or Sultanahmet (for the Blue Mosque/Santa Sofia/Topkapi).