21 Hours in Istanbul, Turkey: Is a FREE Turkish Airlines Layover Worth It?

[@EatSeeRV]

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[@andremathews1823]

LOVE ISTANBUL!!!!! One of my favorites cities in the world that I've visited!!! Great video!!!! I stayed 4 days on my layover without affecting my ticket price. But that was around 10 years ago.

[@EatSeeRV]

Wow that's amazing. I would LOVE a 4 day layover here. I think that'd be enough time to really enjoy the city without the hassle and jet lag. What a wonderful experience you must have had!

[@alpagan5486]

@@EatSeeRV Hey girl, why didn't you go to the Istanbul Archeology Museum?

[@theodoresmith5272]

Yes. It's 13 and a half hours from miami. That's a long day. Spend a day or 2. It's really cool. Coffee can raise the dead. Food is very good and it's got lots of sites to see and relax in.

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes, I want to return in the future for sure!

[@armandovera2304]

I would like to visit Instanbul one day. Like video. Look forward to your trip to Spain. Saludos 🇲🇽

[@EatSeeRV]

Gracias amigo!

[@TheRVWingman]

What a cool place!!! Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheUrbanHarvest]

I loved walking around at night with all the lights and shops. Very lively city!

[@EatSeeRV]

It was indeed. And when the call to prayer happens at night it's very romantic and magical.

[@trotamundo76]

But it was your mistake to reserve for 1 person instead of 2, not the airline. I’ve read they are very strict. On top of that, you chose to take a taxi instead of the Havaist airport bus for $6 each way, so right there you splurged in $160 you could have saved. So if you do your research l, it’s absolutely a great opportunity and almost for free. The visa fee isn’t for every country, some are exempt.

[@EatSeeRV]

The cost wasn't the only reason we didn't like the experience. We wanted more time to experience Istanbul and our arrival and departure times a lot of places were closed when we could explore. Plus, the bus was 2x the drive time! We looked into it before arriving. Also it's just not our way of traveling. We prefer more time in places than trying to see it all quickly.

[@searlearnold2867]

Only one day in Istanbul... Need an entire travel season there. On to Spain !

[@EatSeeRV]

Agreed!! It's such a massive and diverse place.

[@yuliyayakubova5954]

Hi..I understand this already happened, but it might be suitable for somebody who is planning a lay over in Istanbul. I saw you were getting into taxi to/ from the hotel and it is not free, obviously. One can reserve hotel through TK web site when you have at least 20 hours of layover, and also they will transport you there for free. Also, one can request and book TourIstanbul and it is also free. There are different time slots available. I'd say it can be worth is if hotel+transportation+city tour are all free and hussle-free as well. I love Istanbul and have been there numerous times, and I hope you can have a better experience next time!

[@mikenowak2360]

We watched your traverse city michigan video and went on the bike kayak and brew tour. Thanks for the recommendations.

[@EatSeeRV]

Wohoo that's awesome! Hope you had a blast ☺️

[@andresdnq]

Great video! Thank you. I will have a layover there for 23 h 20 m, and I expect to visit at least the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia before my next flight at 4:15 pm. I realized it is a very tight itinerary 🫤

[@EatSeeRV]

Depends on when you arrive. Should be do able if your layover is during mostly business hours!

[@xdrive300011]

I love your white blouse!! 11:47 says $50 for visa, but google says US citizen does not need a vista to turkey. can you please clarify?

[@EatSeeRV]

They changed it like 6 months after we visited! US citizens don't need a visa anymore.

[@betheladmasu197]

excellent video, footage, and commentary. exactly what I'm looking for as someone considering a stopover in Istanbul. thanks. well done. although I agree with your conclusion, all those kitties are pulling me in the opposite direction!

[@EatSeeRV]

Haha enjoy it if you've booked it! But stay more time if you can smile 😁

[@JCrozier1]

looks overwhelming. totally understandable that you would want more time. the food looks killer. ps. love that white shirt.

[@EatSeeRV]

The food was killer!

[@TheBudgetTraveller786]

Biggest issue with Turkish Airlines is customer service, any issue from their end and they just gaslight the customer. I do feel like the hotel staff could have allowed some grace but their currency is really weak so any possibility of them getting USD, EUR, GBP, are usually not passed up. This is why IST airport does not accept their own currency and prices everything in EUR. A huge shame as Istanbul is such a fascinating city.

[@garretlewis4103]

Probably a good deal if you only want to do or see one thing during the layover. Safe journeys guys.

[@EatSeeRV]

Yeah Looking back we should have taken the tour instead of the hotel room. Oh well, next time. -D

[@SandorLau]

Love going off the RV path for something new.

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes, the RV can't take us across the pond 😅

[@Can-f5b]

My humble opinion: staying at a large hotel in Bakırköy yesilkoy district and going to the main historic places by train in 30mins is a better option. Anda also ,there are many good and local restaurants on the anatolia side of istanbul . Anda tank you for this great video.

[@roxanae5785]

OMG, I wish I was there! I enjoy seeing you eating, thank you for sharing all the tips, and best of all , where to eat an out of this world meal! 😋👏👏👏

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks for watching

[@emporiumguy]

1:57 what backpacks do you guys have? Great layover!!

[@EatSeeRV]

These are the Wandr Provoke Backpacks partner.shopmoment.com/PyRjgQ

[@WorldTrotterHereandBeyond]

Great video!

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it!

[@Bo-tz4nw]

Great tourist selfies.

[@bobsmith9938]

Hi, thanks for the video. Can you tell us more about transportation around their Uber Lyft taxis? Or to avoid.. also, Turkish Airlines overnight layover program. How was that?

[@EatSeeRV]

We had to take a taxi. Uber is new there and not well connected. It said we could get an Uber but it was the same as a taxi and we would have had to wait a long time. I recommend taxis.

[@EatSeeRV]

Also did you watch the video? It's literally a review of our Turkish airlines layover and if we think it's worth it...

[@bobsmith9938]

Thanks yes I did watch the video, must’ve missed it.. good to know about the taxis and Uber as I’ve seen and heard it’s all very bad for scams. Them dropping you off stranded, charging double cash on top of what you’ve already paid, etc. Also viewed some public transportation videos and those seem to make more sense than dealing or taking a chance on taxis or Uber there. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks again.

[@BlueSky78683]

Hi, if you select the stop over option, do they provide transporation from the airport and to the hotel? And do you need a visa?! Thank you

[@EatSeeRV]

If you do the tour option they can. If not they do not. Visa is no longer required for US citizens.

[@annalarson2914]

Confused 😮 what happened to the house you bought in Florida?

[@EatSeeRV]

It's there waiting on us to return. We had these trips booked before we bought it.

[@chefjosey]

wow sorry yo hear about your hotel experience that’s terrible of them

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes it was disappointing.

[@veganduo27]

you said it wasnt a free experience but it is if you take the tour bus route.

[@EatSeeRV]

Not really. You still need to purchase your visa. And if you do the bus route I don't believe you got the hotel.

[@kaitemarie5404]

I’m going to Istanbul soon. What’s the visa you need?

[@EatSeeRV]

Good visa requirements for Turkey before arriving. It depends on your passport country and the rules change frequently. 😁

[@israeliruoghene]

​@@EatSeeRV Hello, care to share more on the Bus tour?

[@gvpino]

how did you get your visa? I keep seeing for less than 24 hours you are exempt?

[@EatSeeRV]

The website says if you stay in the airport you are fine. Less than 24 hours on a cruise you are fine. But if you're flying and leave the airport even for a few hours you need the visa. I have heard they're changing the visa in 2024. So maybe that's the change? Just check the site and the airlines site!

[@billang7318]

i'm travelling with my wife next March 2025 with a layover in Istanbul for 19 hours to Italy, what can i get join the tour or Hotel or both?

[@EatSeeRV]

When we went you had to choose one, the hotel OR tour. Look on Turkish airlines website to see their current offerings.

[@kpasa6377]

Visa you can get it at the airport once you arrive for $30. Online is $50 ❤

[@EatSeeRV]

We've been told the canceled the visa at the airport option since covid.

[@SpookyDarling]

.....so you're telling me you intentionally went out of your way to go to a Muslim country and DIDN'T wear proper clothes to go inside two of the most culturally significant buildings on earth? Get out of here with that nonsense.

[@trikynguyen3680]

My son will have a layover there for 23 hours and 50 minutes but they say he's not eligible for having a hotel room

[@EatSeeRV]

Odd? Maybe they changed the program. Did he check on Turkish Airline sites?

[@HadrysL]

Ahhh but you didn't took the touristambul that the airline offer?

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes, that's literally what the video is about. Haha. We used their hotel voucher, instead of the tour. You cannot have both.

[@tomassanesson902]

Awesome

[@indie-travel-stories]

Mm yeah, I was there 6 days. That wasn’t enough

[@EatSeeRV]

For sure!

[@Loveoflearning941]

Dorothy You are not in Kansas anymore Threatening to talk with manager will not work They don’t recognize Karen’s

[@EatSeeRV]

Is every woman that stands up for herself or speaks assertively a Karen to you?

[@jimsherry7050]

No offense, but the flat brim cap is not that flattering. Drop it!

[@EatSeeRV]

Thanks for commenting on our style choices with your unsolicited advice. We'll definitely take your opinion into consideration about what we enjoy wearing everyday. 🙃

[@RH_my]

The city is great but the price is expensive more than Vienna, Dubai or KL. It isn't worth it.

[@bazerra854]

Nice video!! What there is $50 USD Visa fee ? To get out of the Airport?

[@EatSeeRV]

The visa fee is no longer required if you're from the USA

[@behictiryakioglu9518]

Trader Joe sells decent Künefe.

[@GlobalAdventurer]

Stopovers are best on your return flight. And you can stay 2 nights for free with business class, and pay for up to 4 additional days. The stopover program is definitely worth it if you preplan your stay and don't assume everything like you guys did.

[@EatSeeRV]

Business class tickets are notably more expensive. And I'm not sure we'd personally like a stop over program no matter when it was. This trip helped us discover we like more time in places. Although, I agree the trip back means no jet lag and would have helped with that issue a lot!

[@GlobalAdventurer]

@@EatSeeRV I've use stopover in Dubai and Qatar and will be doing one in Istanbul. They aren't designed for you to see the entire city, just to be able to go into the city like a cruise ship excursion. Besides that, that's why Turkish airlines offers 6 nights to stopover on all their flights. But YOU have to pay for the4 additional nights like you would if you visited there anyway. They can't make all 6 days free of charge, no more than Dubai and Doha will. I've been to all those cities numerous times and would accept any of their stopover offers.

[@wassoncrane]

US Citizens can now visit Turkey visa free :)

[@EatSeeRV]

Yes! So nice 🙂