Turkish Airlines has a massive global route network through its Istanbul hub, as the airline flies to more countries than any other airline in the world.
Given the carrier’s complex network, in some cases, passengers might find themselves with an extended layover in Istanbul. The good news is that if your layover is long enough, you may be entitled to a free hotel room, which can make your travel experience much more pleasant.
In this post I wanted to take a closer look at how exactly the program works. I’ve written in the past about similar programs offered by Emirates in Dubai and by Qatar Airways in Doha.
In this post:
Basics of Turkish Airlines’ transit hotel program
Turkish Airlines offers passengers with extended transit periods a complimentary hotel stay. Keep in mind that in addition to this, passenger can also take advantage of a free Istanbul city tour, which is a great way to explore one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
As you’d expect, there are some terms to be aware of when it comes to the free hotel program, so let’s go over all of those details.
How long does your connection have to be?
In order to get a free transit hotel, economy passengers need a connection time of at least 12 hours in Istanbul, while business class passengers need a connection time of at least nine hours in Istanbul. You can receive a stopover hotel for a maximum of two days.
This program only applies if you take the next available connecting flight to your destination. In other words, you can’t intentionally book a connection for a later flight and still receive the free stopover hotel.
Who is eligible for a free transit hotel?
Turkish Airlines has fairly few restrictions beyond the above regarding who is eligible for a transit hotel. It doesn’t matter if your ticket was issued by Turkish Airlines or a partner airline. Furthermore, award tickets qualify, regardless of whether you book through the Turkish Miles&Smiles program, or a partner frequent flyer program.
You must be connecting internationally. Codeshare flights also qualify, as long as Turkish Airlines is operating the flight. Furthermore, all of your segments must be on a single ticket, so you couldn’t take advantage of this if your flights to and from Istanbul are on separate tickets.
How do you book your free transit hotel?
With Turkish Airlines, there’s no need to reserve your transit hotel in advance. When you land in Istanbul, instead follow the signage to Turkish Airlines’ hotel desk, and your reservation can be made on the spot. I haven’t heard of any availability issues, so you shouldn’t get rejected once there.
Note that Turkish Airlines uses hotels outside of the airport for this service, so you won’t be accommodated airside. Therefore you can expect that you’ll be put on a (free) shuttle to get to your hotel. In some cases these hotels can be quite a distance from the airport, given that there aren’t many hotels around Istanbul’s new airport.
Do you need a visa for entering Türkiye?
Expect that if you take advantage of Turkish Airlines’ transit hotel program, you will need to meet the requirements to enter Türkiye. For many nationalities, this requires getting a visa, which you can either get at the airport, or apply for in advance. You can learn more about Türkiye visa requirements at this link.
Turkish Airlines’ business lounge nap rooms
The Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul is excellent, and is among the best business lounges in the world. Separate from the layover hotel program offered by the airline, it’s worth noting that the lounge offers proper nap rooms that select passengers on shorter layovers can take advantage of.
This is specifically available to Turkish Airlines business class passengers (including those on award tickets) who have a layover of between four and nine hours, where they’re taking the next available flight. Furthermore, either your arriving or departing flight needs to be at least eight hours, so this excludes those connecting between short haul flights.
If those requirements are met, you can take advantage of this perk, which offers you a comfortable private room with a bed where you can sleep. Note that the bathrooms and showers are down the hallway and separate from the rooms, so it’s not quite as good as a proper hotel room. However, for a shorter layover, this is a fantastic way to get some rest.
Bottom line
Turkish Airlines offers an excellent complimentary hotel program for those with long layovers in Istanbul. You can take advantage of this with a layover of nine or more hours in business class, or a layover of 12 or more hours in economy class. This can be a great way to get some rest between flights.
If you’re traveling in business class with a shorter layover, you can get a complimentary nap room with a proper bed if you have a layover of between four and nine hours. This is in my opinion the best in-lounge nap setup you’ll find in any business class lounge in the world.
If you’ve used Turkish Airlines’ free transit hotel program, what was your experience like?
Took a free hotel offer on my way to Thailand last Nov'23. I got the hotel voucher before landing since I wasn't sure if TA would honor my 24 hours layover. At 1st, the agent at Hotel desk said I wasn't qualified since there were other flights available, then I showed him my voucher which caused him to change his tone. Still I had to get my own transportation from and back to the airport.
i believe you are WRONG about the hotel/tour combo. you can get EITHER one free night at a hotel, OR a free tour.
Do and if, how can someone reserve the nap room as business class traveller.
Thanks
Ralph
Hi! I have question about free hotell. I have ordered flight from Finland to Dominic Republic. It Will go through Turkey Istanbul airport and stay ovet 12 hours and also second night in Madrid? All trip with turkish airlines. Hotels provided by turkishairlines on Istanbul and Madrid? I have ordered tickets through Supersaver website. Economy class. Does this free hotel offer going and coming back tickets in Instanbul and Madrid If need to stay More than 12 hours?
We'd be travelling Business Class with 3 nights stayover at Istanbul. Can anyone mention names of a few other hotels that Turkish Airlines Business Class partners with in Stopover Istanbul. Thanks a bunch
It is full of shit service, I had a layover for more than 12 hours, but they said your flights must be on one ticket. The airline puts you on the separate ticket on purpose if you have long layovers, and reception at the airport just finishes its purpose.
You must learn what is connecting flight...
Can Business class get 2 nights 2 days free hotel if connecting flight has a gap of 5 hours? (NYK IST Bom)
please elaborate. 2 nights and 2 days is 48 hours but your layover is only 5 hours.
My son and I had a 15 hour layover at the airport in Istanbul. I asked about the day tour at the customer care department and they were absolutely unhelpful. It was the worst experience as the staff of Turkish airlines were the most unhelpful. Nobody could show me where the Touristanbul desk was and they asked me if I had a Schengen visa yet I was in Istanbul for a week in January and...
My son and I had a 15 hour layover at the airport in Istanbul. I asked about the day tour at the customer care department and they were absolutely unhelpful. It was the worst experience as the staff of Turkish airlines were the most unhelpful. Nobody could show me where the Touristanbul desk was and they asked me if I had a Schengen visa yet I was in Istanbul for a week in January and obtained a visa online. I used Jazeera airways which is a small airline but their customer service was immaculate. I would definitely not recommend Turkish Airlines. Even the staff of Ethiopian airlines are better to deal with.
"This program only applies if you take the next available connecting flight to your destination. In other words, you can’t intentionally book a connection for a later flight and still receive the free stopover hotel." - How about booking an earlier flight in? Would that work as I'm still taking the next available connecting flight, even though it was possible to book a shorter connection time?
Yes, that's what I did!
Thanks for your comments guys it was indeed helpful.. and you’re right free isn’t always what it’s worked up to be !
Our trip to Turkey was a mixed bag. We opted for the bosphorous tour which was a pitiful cheese sandwich(vegetarian) and stopping at overpriced brand name mall. On the way back we stayed at the Grand Yavuz Hotel. We actually stayed there for 3 nights (including the free one from TA). The breakfast buffet was decent, but situated in the tourist portion of the city, lots of people hawking their wares. Shuttle to the hotel...
Our trip to Turkey was a mixed bag. We opted for the bosphorous tour which was a pitiful cheese sandwich(vegetarian) and stopping at overpriced brand name mall. On the way back we stayed at the Grand Yavuz Hotel. We actually stayed there for 3 nights (including the free one from TA). The breakfast buffet was decent, but situated in the tourist portion of the city, lots of people hawking their wares. Shuttle to the hotel cost 50 Euros.
Nice place to visit, not sure I'd want to return. Stay away from the Turkish Bath Cemberlitas Hamami, total rip off.
We had a complimentary rooms for party of 5. We can tell you that the hotel was worth it. We had a nice time.
What hoted was it; is it for Business only or Economy also?
I think it is important to mention that there are two TK Lounges.
the Business one and the Elite one. Not many differences between them. "Movie" theater in the Elite, Museum in the Business.
Both lounges have nap rooms & showers.
There are no requirements for the showers only sometimes a long waiting list. You may need to wait over an hour before they call you.
Oh, and the business one is quieter because less crowded :)
What a bunch of moaners. Didn't tell me I needed a visa, no hotel room.
I've used TA numerous times Dublin to Bangkok. Used the nap rooms, showers and twice got the free overnight hotel ( Was the Ritz Carlton) bit crowded but it was free.
Guys get a bit of perspective.
I am travelling from London to Ghana by Turkish Airline. There is a stop over of 14 hours at Lisben.Do they offer hotel forcovernight stay?
yes
Also I've noticed TA don't offer prices if you only need to take hand luggage only it's usually with checked in Luggage but I didn't need checked in luggage.
You are not required to take checked luggage just because it's included in the fare ;) Also, TK (sadly) does offer HBO fares on shorthaul itineraries.
Not sure what "TK" means. Turkish Airlines? Should be "TA" if you want to abbreviate it. HBO is movies on the airplane? Ok, that's fine as long as they're free. And, what is a shorthaul itinerary? You mean a short layovers? Thanks for the information!
I'm happy to see this news on Turkish Airlines offering free accomodation and also somewhere they announce free city tour too.
Very promising offer but it's a pure scam.
What they don't tell is after you land up in Istanbul Airport, the customer desk staff hardly understands a thing. They will send you in all the wrong directions and finally tell you that you need an evisa. If that's the case they shld...
I'm happy to see this news on Turkish Airlines offering free accomodation and also somewhere they announce free city tour too.
Very promising offer but it's a pure scam.
What they don't tell is after you land up in Istanbul Airport, the customer desk staff hardly understands a thing. They will send you in all the wrong directions and finally tell you that you need an evisa. If that's the case they shld contact when we buy their tickets. I and my family had 23 hrs layover. We thought they would take care of the offer and contact. Not only they stay silent but the people had no clue to help us.
We spent the whole night and day in the airport for my huge mistake of booking TA tickets.
Sorry that happened to you. Thanks for taking the time to let us other travelers know about it. We're all taking TA because it's the most affordable at this time.
Turkish Airlines!
I'll must say it's just Robbing the people. All their staff no humanity. No professionalism,no customer care at all
This is their another technique to trapp the people.
They don't accommodate people with flight cancellation. They don't offer you hotel or accommodation leave you on airport helpless if you ask them for help or the right to get us new flight they gave threat to kid's that we will call...
Turkish Airlines!
I'll must say it's just Robbing the people. All their staff no humanity. No professionalism,no customer care at all
This is their another technique to trapp the people.
They don't accommodate people with flight cancellation. They don't offer you hotel or accommodation leave you on airport helpless if you ask them for help or the right to get us new flight they gave threat to kid's that we will call police and deport you. I'll must say Fucking cunt don't know how to deal with customer.
I spend £4000 to bring my family from Istanbul to UK very bad experience.
Their food is full of insect had video and every proof. Soon I'll publish in media. I'm willing to provide the full details with proof
I'll request all to not spend even Fucking £1 for this Turkish airline
One-way flights don't qualify. We had a flight BOS-VIE, with an overnight layover in Türkiye. During the booking process, it offered us a stopover in Türkiye option, to take a later flight. We did ... then found out upon trying to reserve the room that "one-way flights don't qualify".
And this was after THEY were the ones who presented the option to us, and we booked the later flight bc of it
We did...
One-way flights don't qualify. We had a flight BOS-VIE, with an overnight layover in Türkiye. During the booking process, it offered us a stopover in Türkiye option, to take a later flight. We did ... then found out upon trying to reserve the room that "one-way flights don't qualify".
And this was after THEY were the ones who presented the option to us, and we booked the later flight bc of it
We did take advantage of a free evening Bosphorous Cruise, with complimentary takeaway dinner (box lunch type - köfte sandwich), which was sort of nice. Although they did combine the Galataport shopping and the Bosphotus cruise into one, which made it longer than anticipated.
This is why your layover is 11 hours or less. I had to get a hotel room for $300 dollars a night . Also, you are lucky if you find someone that speaks decent English.
This is BS. They had the same advertisement back in March when I traveled from SFO to Dubai via Istanbul on turkish airlines which I purchased from their website. When i landed from dubai to istanbul they denied the free hotel one night stay and asked us to pay for visa. My ticket showed that i have a free hotel but the moron on the counter was an ass and did not want to honor...
This is BS. They had the same advertisement back in March when I traveled from SFO to Dubai via Istanbul on turkish airlines which I purchased from their website. When i landed from dubai to istanbul they denied the free hotel one night stay and asked us to pay for visa. My ticket showed that i have a free hotel but the moron on the counter was an ass and did not want to honor the free hotel and visa. I wouldn’t trust this if you do make sure save this article in your phone.
Free visa is not a benefit TK offer (or advertise). They provide the hotel, but it's up to you to fulfil conditions to enter Turkey.
I had a 22 hour transit and I was denied the so called, free hotel. I was offered a new flight wich I had to pay myself (500 euros).
By the way, no one at the counter spoke proper English.
Recently we travel with Turkish Airlines from Karachi to U.S.A. my stop over was at Istanbul Airport was 20 hours they didn't give any type accommodation which was too much tiring and annoying where I couldn't get the bed type or anything where I can get rest proper for long hours stop over at Istanbul International Aiport nobody cooperate also this should be noted down and some compensation should be given sitting at one place...
Recently we travel with Turkish Airlines from Karachi to U.S.A. my stop over was at Istanbul Airport was 20 hours they didn't give any type accommodation which was too much tiring and annoying where I couldn't get the bed type or anything where I can get rest proper for long hours stop over at Istanbul International Aiport nobody cooperate also this should be noted down and some compensation should be given sitting at one place for so much long hours this should noted down
I have stayed at their complimentary hotel for their business class passengers. It is not worth the compliment. Get your own hotel. Pay for your own transportation. Free is not worth the hassle. Free cost me hours of precious sleep and got me a smokey room.
Unusual that this perk applies to award tickets as well. Good.
Seems that the bed you end up with is not as nice as that depicted at the head of this article though!
Considering the time and hassle involved in getting to and from the TK -supplied hotel, as outlined by others here, I wonder if it's worth it.
Maybe the airport sleep pod is the best option (get your bathroom requirements out of the way first though!).
Good news to hear because 22 hours transit at Istanbul two consecutive times isn't easy without food nor accommodation !!!
Hmmmm.....!!!
My connection in business is 10 hours. What options would I have? I’d prefer not to do the hotel off-airport…would they really deny me a nap room?
For the hotel, can I choose when to get picked up?
There is usually a wait list for nap rooms. When the airport is crowded more than likely you won't get one.
However, there are very comfortable leather sofas that you can sleep on, in the business lounge
Were you denied a nap room since your layover is over 9 hours?
We had a free stopover for 3 days in Istanbul for biz class passengers at Sheraton Atakoy but we had to pay for the shuttle that was $50. Hotel was far but great hotel and service.
I'll be travelling Business with 3 nights stay at Istanbul. This is the first time someone has actually specifically mentioned the name of one of the hotels. So thank you Shazia. Anyone else mention names of a few other hotels that Turkish Airlines Business Class partners with in Stopover Istanbul. Thanks a bunch.
We're booked into the Pullman Hotel and Convention Centre this coming Sunday and Monday. The location is hardly convenient but, hey, it's a free room!
The hotels they assign to business class passengers are pretty shabby and rundown, and as others have said, very far from the new airport (easily over an hour away). They will require you to take their bus transport, which will pick you up at the hotel to bring you back to the airport many hours before your connecting flight.
My last experience with TK included a very delayed departure from Dubrovnik, and by the time...
The hotels they assign to business class passengers are pretty shabby and rundown, and as others have said, very far from the new airport (easily over an hour away). They will require you to take their bus transport, which will pick you up at the hotel to bring you back to the airport many hours before your connecting flight.
My last experience with TK included a very delayed departure from Dubrovnik, and by the time we arrived in IST, there were no connecting flights to the West Coast that same day. So they offered the hotel option. After requesting the information and name of the hotel from the person at the hotel desk, I looked it up online and said no thank you. I found something about 20 mins away from the airport, which was a decent 4 star business hotel, and just paid out of pocket, including transportation both ways. Yotel in the airport was very expensive that night for some reason.
Love TK when things go smoothly. But as others have said, they do not handle IRROPS well, and operate like an amateurish startup when presented with these situations.
Don’t fall for this transit hotel or Istanbul sight seeing offers from Turkish airlines. They are a waste of time. Hotel is too far from airport and kind of spooky. The sightseeing excursion is nothing but a visit to favorite shopping spots and a bad dinner.
I have an itinerary that qualifies for the nap room. Where do I go in the lounge to be assigned one?
Concierge
Thank you for the useful tips.
On the Turkish layover hotel, I have a question on eligibility:
I reserve a trip with IST connection. The IST outbound flight is below the 12/9 hrs but it’s full and I managed to book the next flight that is above 12/9 threshold. Am I eligible for the hotel?
unfortunately not. this is written in their terms.
https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/hotel-service
What cities does Turkish only fly once a day to, or not even every day like 3 times a week. Does anyone know? Knowing this would help build itineraries where this hotel provision can taken advantage of.
My understanding is that there are two types of free hotel that TK offers. One is for unavoidable layovers due to schedule (https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/hotel-service), and another is one that you can voluntarily choose, but it's only valid for certain routes depending on your departure country.
(https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/flights/stopover)
Thanks, this is helpful. Looks like stopover program is valid for all itineraries originating in the US.
PC (Pre Covid) I took advantage of a complimentary hotel stay from Ethiopian at Addis. Was not offered at checkin, only due to being tipped off by a friend. Taken by bus to hotel, bit chaotic, hotel OK.
Sorry, but I have to pick you up on two points here.
You say that you have to catch the next available flight but that isn't true. Indeed, TK advised me to extend my layover in IST by booking a multi-city itinerary, which I did. So, I arrive into IST of the evening of 12/11 and we're not taking our flight to CAI until the early hours of 14/11. TK has plenty of flights to...
Sorry, but I have to pick you up on two points here.
You say that you have to catch the next available flight but that isn't true. Indeed, TK advised me to extend my layover in IST by booking a multi-city itinerary, which I did. So, I arrive into IST of the evening of 12/11 and we're not taking our flight to CAI until the early hours of 14/11. TK has plenty of flights to CAI before then.
Second, I would seriously advise against waiting until arrival at IST to book the hotel. The hotel office can be utter mayhem and you will waste a good deal of time. In fact, I'm not sure I was even given a choice in the matter; as I recall, we were assigned a hotel by TK so we're all set for November.
Well lucky you! My experience was that you must be on the next available flight to benefit from that, intentionally booking a flight the next day doesn't cut it. Maybe rules differ by country...I've got a Nigerian passport
It's not luck. I just read the T&C of the offer.
Well as someone explained above there appears to be 2 kinds: Transit and Stopover. You probably used the stopover program. The transit program alluded to in this article is dependent on the transit time and next available flight. They even gave an example on their website with London to Dubai flight. If you choose the one with a 12hr transit as opposed to the 6hr transit, you will not benefit from the program
The hotel given to economy passengers was horrendous- shabby, small, drab, poorly located.
We're flying Business and we're being put up at the Pullman, which may be billed as 5* but is pretty remote. Having said that, given what we're paying for rooms, i.e. zero, I don't mind spending a bit on public transport or Ubers to make getting around a little easier.
If I am flying business class to Istanbul and want to spend a couple of days prior to a cruise ship departure can I use this program ?
I thought I was going to be taking advantage of this in 2021 but Spain had a CoVID restriction where they wouldn’t let you enter if coming from a third country at the time. I stayed in the lounge for over ten hours and napped on the couch overnight, got a shower, and had one Ty to eat and drink. I tried to get into the sleep room but they are strict about the four...
I thought I was going to be taking advantage of this in 2021 but Spain had a CoVID restriction where they wouldn’t let you enter if coming from a third country at the time. I stayed in the lounge for over ten hours and napped on the couch overnight, got a shower, and had one Ty to eat and drink. I tried to get into the sleep room but they are strict about the four to nine hour requirement. There are worse ways to spend a long layover than in the Turkish airlines lounge though . I also chose not to stay and pay for a room at the airside hotel sense I was by myself.
*plenty to eat and drink
Sounds like a great offer. However if you want to refer to the country as Türkiye, then it’s Brasil, España, Italia, Misr ( Egypt) and so forth.
Turkey officially changed its English name to Türkiye. The countries you mention did not.
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states/turkiye
Let's appreciate, rather than criticize, the writer for referring to the country by its original name
Turkey officially changed its English name to Türkiye , the countries you mention did not.
There is no letter "ü" in the English alphabet. Did Turkish official change the English alphabet, too?
Do you seriously believe everyone is going to suddenly write and say Türkiye?
It didn’t change, that’s the Turkish nom de plume. That’s how they say it in their country.
Moreover the other countries didn’t change, they are Brasil, España, Italia and Misr. Do you believe Spanish people go around saying Spain? Or Japanese say Japan ( Nihon) ? These are the anglicised names.
I had booked an itinerary with a shorter connection at IST in business class, but I was informed a few weeks before departure that the connecting flight was canceled and I was automatically rebooked on the next flight which was many hours later. I should have qualified for the nap room based on that, but when I went to try it they said I wasn't booked on the next available flight which had departed earlier....
I had booked an itinerary with a shorter connection at IST in business class, but I was informed a few weeks before departure that the connecting flight was canceled and I was automatically rebooked on the next flight which was many hours later. I should have qualified for the nap room based on that, but when I went to try it they said I wasn't booked on the next available flight which had departed earlier. Either they reinstated that flight or had put a different on the schedule. I wasn't too frustrated about not getting the nap room, but was super annoyed I could have arrived at my final destination hours earlier.
As I was saying.....
The rules for business class seem almost intentionally to deny people into the lounge sleeping rooms. If the stopover is less than 10 hours, going all the way to their hotels near old airport and then with the times they make you return means you tend to only end up with a few hours at the hotel. I don't bother unless the layover is more than about 15 hours, which, is not exceedingly common for the shortest possible connection...
Careful it's Turkish Airlines. They'll screw you in a heartbeat and there's little you can. I speak from experience. Twice.
Explain, please
The nap rooms are fantastic, as long as you qualify.
I find the fact that the hotel programs hotels are all near the old airport a turn off as there's a bit of a long trek to get there and they're pretty unwavering on when you're allowed to leave to head back to the airport.
This.
We enjoyed the complimentary tour, but because we had an early morning departure we opted for the Yotel at the airport.