Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi Folks
I wonder if anyone has had recent experience of flying to Ercan from Edinburgh using Turkish airlines?
I note the flight stops with a change over at Istanbul. Recent flight costs were £247 return which is great as there is no need to fly to London Stansted in the first part of the journey from Scotland.
Any update would be great
many thanks

journey1 wrote:Hi Folks
I wonder if anyone has had recent experience of flying to Ercan from Edinburgh using Turkish airlines?
I note the flight stops with a change over at Istanbul. Recent flight costs were £247 return which is great as there is no need to fly to London Stansted in the first part of the journey from Scotland.
Any update would be great
many thanks

This may be a bit late for you, but I have a friend flying that route at the end of May for a week, so would be able to let you know then?

Moyra

Thanks for the offer Moyra but I too will be out by then.
However, I will post my experience just incase it is of any help to others. Fingers crossed it will be positive. Its years since the regular flights to Ercan were in place from Glasgow.

Hi,
My parents and also my brother have flown edinburgh-ercan with Turkish Airlines on more than one occassion - they all spoke very highly of the flight and the attentiveness of staff. Plus large baggage allowance and all meals/drinks/entertainment onboard flight. We now look at Turkish Airlines flights before other 'budget' options as often they work out cheaper, plus all 'extras' are included in the the ticket price!

Hope this helps! Have a good flight!

Been flying Turkish Airlines Dublin -Ercan for years, never a problem. Only minus is the 6 hour layover at Istanbul.

My other half travelled with Turkish Airline during the Easter Period. This was her first time with them, she flew into Birmingham to visit family in Nottinghamshire, trained it then upto Edinburgh and then flew from there to Ercan, via Istanbul. The only drawback was the flight time of getting in to Ercan and obviously the 5 hour stopover in Istanbul but what she did was took advantage of the HSBC Lounge. Her opinion of Turkish Airline is all good, their staff, food and comfort on the plane in her opinion far better than Pegasus, who she normally used and she had no worry of travelling with them on her own.

Thanks to everyone for the very helpful feedback.
Can anyone let me know if the luggage is booked in straight through to Ercan from Edinburgh or do you have to pick up at Istanbul and check in again.
Many thanks

yes your hold luggage is booked through to Ercan.

I've booked my daughter on this route next month. I'm just worried about the 5 hour stopover. Can anyone confirm that you can pay on the day to use the lounges (which ones?) and what the cost might be? We've got an HSBC card but she doesn't.

How long have you got to change planes at Istanbul? we had 1hr but that wasn't a problem as we arrived from Manchester 1/4hr early, on the return to Manchester we had 1.1/2 hrs to change but after 1hr and all passengers were on board it took off 1/2hr before time, it is pretty straight forward you just follow the transit signs.

To use an HSBC lounge you have to have a Premier card. Ordinary HSBC cards are not allowed in, even for a charge. Last time we were there a couple of months ago, they turned someone away because they only had an ordinary HSBC card. You can get in for a charge if you accompany a premier customer. I think the other airport lounge at Istanbul allows people in for a charge but not sure what the charge is as we always use HSBC. We always use Turkish Airlines to come and go to UK and have found them to be excellent, and luggage is always booked straight through.

Woodspeckie, Thanks for your reply. I'm not worried that she'll not have enough time - she will have 4-5 hours to kill.

We have used the HSBC lounge in the past and I thought I remembered that you could pay to get in but it must have been for accompanying a premier customer as Zarafet mentions. I had heard that you could pay on the day to get into some of the lounges, if not she'll just have to grab a coffee or two.

BTW I booked her return flight on same route for end of August for 376TL this morning! Bargain.

We are flying with them at the end of June and found this info on their website. Has anyone used an ordinary credit card and got in to the lounge.

Istanbul Atatürk Airport International Terminal Open 24/7. Located airside.

HSBC Premier branded 'HSBC Club Lounge' dedicated for HSBC credit card customers.

Show valid HSBC credit card. Free Internet Wi-Fi, printer, chairs, reception, food and drink, newspapers, on-line flight board, TV, fax, checkroom for baggage, ATM.

Not exclusive for HSBC Premier customers; available for HSBC credit card holders. HSBC Group Premier/Private Banking credit card customers may also benefit from the lounge services.

Free to use facility for HSBC Premier credit card holders.

Well this is marvellous getting all of this useful information. Many thanks to all.
Sadly I don't have an HSBC card but I will try to find out about any other lounge as I too on the way to Ercan have a 5 hour wait.

I tried to use the HSBC lounge a few weeks ago and was not admitted as I only had an ordinary HSBC credit card. Would have had to pay 50tl each to use it. For only about an hours wait it was way to pricey.

Have flown this route twice in the past 8 weeks
Turkish Airlines,the best for service,food,legroom,luggage allowance.
Outbound Istanbul to Edinburgh 2 hrs between flights,just right,no rush to get through transit which is often quite frantic.
Inbound,Istanbul to Ercan 4 & a half hrs between flights.Bit of a long haul but better than the one hour between. If your flight to Istanbul is late often your luggage won't come with you to Ercan.
Once through transit head for the departure gates at the other end of the airport (500's). Quieter,lots of seats to stretch out on for a snooze. Take a picnic sarnies & fruit,food allowed liquids not allowed.Istanbul quite pricey (Effes 20tl)
There are moving walkways for most of the way. Board 's there so you can keep an eye out for your dept gate then take a leisurely stroll back ready to board your flight.
Turkish airlines take care of your baggage from the beginning to the end of the flight,you just need to be responsible for your hand luggage.
Hope this helps Lyn.

.
Bonnie you wrote:-
'If your flight to Istanbul is late often your luggage won't come with you to Ercan.'

Thanks for your response Bonnie but perhaps you could clarify the above - where does it go and when would I see it?
cheers

Msg 17
Has happened to me, went to the office by the carousel, guy took my details , luggage delivered next day. Make sure your luggage is labelled.

I've had the luggage not make it to Ercan once there is an office by the new duty free they take your luggage receipts off you and address and deliver it to you next day not
My neighbours partner who is Turkish phoned the next day at 10:30 we had landed 00:30
Lost luggage said that my phone number did not work and the address was wrong
I drove from Ozankoy and collected the luggage as well as another passengers push chair
They also pointed out that the office was closed 12:00 till 14:00 you have to get the polis to let you in the luggage door
I then complained on line to Turkish airlines as I had no receipt for my journey the gave me 150TL for my expenses
when the luggage got lost on the way to Birmingham again fill in the form by the luggage carousel in Birmingham 24 hours latter a knock on the door at home in Wolverhampton and a man with our luggage
Who's cousin is making money on the deliveries from Ercan

Any flight to Edinburgh is a good flight!

Journey One,
This has only happened to us once when the flight from Birmingham was late landing. With only an hour between flights it's a bit tight,I assume the luggage is then loaded onto the next flight to Ercan,you phone to confirm your luggage has arrived then collect it the next day.
With the Edinburgh flight there's a four hr lay over between the Istanbul/Ercan flight this is very unlikely to happen even if the flight into Istanbul does run late.
Four years ago we flew from Manchester to Ercan that also only had a 1hour layover. Our dog flew with us in the hold. I was beside myself with anxiety. However the flight was on time and my dog arrived at Ercan with us. She came round on the carrousel with the luggage deeply delighted at all the people she assumed had come to greet her.
Turkish Airlines get my vote every time

HotHippo,Agree any flight to Edinbrough is a good flight.One to Aberdeen would be better!!

Yes we have used TA in 2012 from Heathrow, via Istanbul to Ercan and return.

The flight out was on time but the transfer between flights @ Istanbul was 50mins only - we managed to get on the flight but luggage did not. Mind you we were expecting this to happen and as we had booked the flights and knew the tight transfer time we took the risk. So not really to put out by it. Inconvenient yes, a disaster no. Filled in the paperwork at Ercan, told to call next morning as luggage likely to follow on next flight. Next day tried calling but engaged, maybe they would have delivered but decided to take a drive out to Ercan. On arrival had to ask a friendly policeman to let us back in - paperwork checked, luggage found and no problems. Flight home no problems...transfer time was 70mins so luggage made it.

Overall service from TA was very good and prices reasonable as we purchased well in advance. using them again in a few weeks - prepared for luggage not making it as transfer time is again just 60mins.

Thanks folks - all very helpful.
I have a long wait in Istanbul so hopefully my luggage will come out with me!
I have been trying to find any lounges available to book at Istanbul but without success so far.
cheers

Am I imagining it or did they used to put on a tour of Istanbul by coach especially for those with a long wait? I seem to recall this being advertised.
We have flown Manchester to Ercan on TA and nothing but praise. Manchester flight was delayed 20 minutes and only had 50 minutes but everything was fine including luggage.
Will definately be using them again.
Brend

oooh a tour! - now that would be just dandy!

Just found this, hope it might be of use.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic- ... anbul.html

Another web page reference Istanbul Airport Lounge.
https://www.pearlassist.com/en/lounges/Istanbul/

Thanks for the info re lounges. I had tried the link via trip advisor but received no response however the pearlassist seems to be more hopeful.
I will feedback how it goes tomorrow.
Cheers

Hi Journey1, All, Please let me/us know how you get on, as i will probably be flying from Edinburgh in a few weeks. The joys of living in Sunny Scotland, is finding flights, with the shortest travelling time ( I wish )

For the Turkish Airlines Istanbul site seeing I think you need to have a stop over of more than 6 hours. It does sound great though, if you have the right times, as they do it twice a day. You can find out about it on Turkish Airlines website.

Hi folks
so far I have found that you can book a trip in Istanbul during your flight transfer but you need to have a least 6 hours.
I have also spent considerable time trying to book and airport lounge for Ataturk airport with little success. The link to Pearlassist seemed very hopeful but it just does not allow you to finalise the booking! I have sent an email to them so watch this space for any update if it is of interest to you.
Cheers

Thanks journey1, I will be watching with interest. Any tips for the long stopover will be gratefully received.

I have received this for Primeclass re airport lounge at Istanbul - hope it helps I used email below.
We would like to thank you for your interest in Primeclass Services
You do not need to reserve for the lounge. You can do the payment upon your access to the lounge via credit card.Currently, we have a special offer for the passengers using the lounge between 07:00-19:00. The special fee is 18 € per person while the regular fee 35 € per person.The price includes food and internet access. Primeclass lounge located on the 2nd floor in the right side of the hall after .

Additionally, at the international departure terminal PRIMECLASS LOUNGE can be used and there is a shower inside.Our lounge is 24 hours open. Actually, you can use just 8 hours.If you need more than that time you should pay twice.
This is for your kind information.
Do not hesitate to ask anything you wonder about our services.

selin.erokay@tav.aero

Hi journey1, Thanks for the information. Sounds good.

Well that's me nearly ready for my wee adventure out to Ercan via Edinburgh - can't wait to feel the heat!
I will let you all know how I get on with the 'walk in' facilities of the Primeclass lounge.
Happy Days!

Hi journey1, Looking forward to hearing your experience

Hi Folks
I am delighted to say I am now in the lovely sunny domain of Cyprus enjoying the sun and garden.
The flights with Turkish airlines were super - service, food, drinks and in flight entertainment brill! My luggage even arrived with me at Ercan. I would absolutely recommend this service from Edinburgh.
My 5 hours stay at Istanbul was made very comfortable by using the Primeclass lounge , located under the foodhall after the transit security check. It was walk -in and pay as you go by your credit card. There are showers and wash facilities (all spotlessly clean) a good range of hot and cold food and any kind of drink - alcohol or otherwise supplied on demand. There are of course full IT facilities ,TV, newspapers etc and a play area for children. The actual seating areas was made up of a mixture of couches , comfy chairs, dining tables etc. The lounge is spacious and was never overcrowded whilst I was there. Coupled with charming and helpful girls at reception I would highly recommend this lounge. The cost was 35euros for 8 hours but there is a special deal on at present of 15 euros during day hours.I did have a look at the very chaotic food outlets in the wider airport and I think I got really good value for money in a very relaxing environment.
I do hope this info is of hep to others.
Cheers

Hi Journey1, Thanks for the information, sounds good, might book with them, the only problem is 4 suitcases plus 1 box between 2 of us, will have to look into booking extra baggage, and find out the cost, whether its per kilo or per bag.

Stevie-d
I hope you get help from them to suit you - they seemed a very sleek accommodating airline - best of luck and please let me know as I often would like to bring excess out with me. At least they do have a phone line you can call.
cheers

I fly from Dublin and Turkish seem to be easy going on luggage, within reason.

yes it was 23 kgs hold and 8 hand tho nobody weighed it - plus coat laptop etc - all round good experience

Hey Paddywhack

I will be doing the Dublin / Ercan trip shortly and will hopefully be using the lounges do you know if you can go into the walk-in lounges from Airside and by doing this avoid having to get a visa as we will only be transiting through the airport

Thanks

Naas 26

Unless you leave the airport you will not need a visa.

Just ensure you go through the 'transit security' thereby not leaving the airport and you will be able to access the lounges as I did.
Enjoy

Journey1,

Thanks for all the useful information - my daughter flies this weekend and this is the first time she has had to change planes on her own so the info about 'Transit security' is very useful.

Just follow the transit signs.

yes I did so but you have to be careful as you could be carried away by all the folks going to the normal exit so transit is really first on your left of the sign. I know cause I did the other !!! LOL! , so no worries .well it is live and learn! However everyone was very helpful so no worries!