Long layover at airport...suggestions?

The flight I'm considering booking would give DH and I a 12-hour layover at the Istanbul airport.

Normally, I would just head into the city for a few hours and return for my next flight...but as it turns out, we have plans to give ourselves a few days in Istanbul on the way BACK, so it's kind of like, why bother with rushing/dealing with luggage and whatnot.

So...has anyone been to the Istanbul Ataturk airport? I looked on their website and it doesn't really seem like there's much to do within the airport itself, but some parts of their website are under construction...I know airports are generally boring places, but is it unrealistic for me to think that DH and I could just chill out there for 12 hours without feeling like we're going to throw each other out the window? If it makes a difference, it would be a window from about 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. (which would feel like 11 p.m. - 11 a.m. to us)

Maybe we should just suck it up and head into the city for a few hours?

Re: Long layover at airport...suggestions?

MY DH has been there...though it was several years ago. He doesn't remember there being much beyond duty free shopping and a few restuarants...If i were you, I'd get a hotel room for a few hours and sleep! You'll be as fresh as a daisy when you arrive in Bangladesh!

Re: Long layover at airport...suggestions?

There's not a heck of a lot to do there (I was there last month) If you're flying Turkish Air they offer a free hotel or city tour to those with long layovers. If you take the hotel you can sleep for a bit then explore the city on your own. When I went I checked my luggage all the way through and just packed a change of clothes in my carryon so I didn't have to worry about carrying it.

If you don't want to leave the airport there is also an airside hotel. They charge in blocks of a couple of hours and I think it was like $200 for 12 hours. The benefit is that you don't have to go through customs and when it's time for your flight you can head straight to the gate - you're already through security and everything. Thy have a restaurant and room service if you want to eat. There's a reservation desk near the Turkish Airways transfer desk that I think opens at 7am or you could probably just head right to the hotel - after you arrive you would need to be rescreened through security and go upstairs to departures - the hotel is near the Turkish Airways business class lounge.

If you leave the airport make sure you leave yourself enough time to get back in through security - it's a very busy airport. There are also multiple extra security checks for people flying to the US so be on the lookout for that if you're flying home through Istanbul as well. Hope this helps

Re: Long layover at airport...suggestions?

Good info...I had thought about crashing at a hotel for a bit but didn't know how that would work since it's not an overnight thing. Had no idea that the nearby hotel would offer something like that!

Thank you both for the suggestions!

Re: Long layover at airport...suggestions?

Posted by BunnyWife

MY DH has been there...though it was several years ago. He doesn't remember there being much beyond duty free shopping and a few restuarants...If i were you, I'd get a hotel room for a few hours and sleep! You'll be as fresh as a daisy when you arrive in Bangladesh!

Re: Long layover at airport...suggestions?

I'd look into any club lounges they may have,. It might be worht paying for access since you will be there for so long.

Re: Long layover at airport...suggestions?

Thanks! I looked into both options of the hotel and the club access...good to know that there are options like that available (though nothing clear on the airport's website...glad you guys knew!)

Thanks!

Re: Long layover at airport...suggestions?

I know you said you plan to come back and stay for several days but I would still suggest maybe a 3 hour guided city tour. This way you can get a feel for the city and see if there is anything that really blows you away that you would like to make sure you hit when you come back on the way home. It would be a nice way to get out of the airport but not detract from your stay later. It is not fun to just spend the day at the airport - I have done it many times (not Istanbul but other European and Asian airports) and other than some restaurants or bars, and stores there is nothing exciting worth a 12 hour layover. They are better for 2-4 hour stops.

Eh I'm not sure I would bother with the hotel - unless you are looking for something more along the lines of a nap and shower and meal.