First International Trip Since March 2020 ✈️

Hello guys, I just arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, and now waiting for my connecting flight to Gaziantep, a city in Southeastern Turkey, and well-known for its delicious pistachios and rich gastronomy. 🤩 I’ve visited Turkey like 8 or 9 trips already, and definitely one of my fave countries to visit in the world.

I was initially hesitant to go on an international trip this year, but when I got invited to go back to one of my favorite cities for FOOD and for WORK, aside from meeting a good old friend again, then I’ve decided to go while Jonathan stayed at home to look after our cats. ❤️

I’m not encouraging you to travel again unless it’s essential or for work, and you’re willing to follow protocols esp. NOT removing the masks in the airplane and the airport - I’m actually wearing a mask and a face shield! haha

I know more and more people are traveling with Turkish Airlines during this time because it has more available flight routes compared to other airlines, and I think they are taking the safety and cleanliness seriously, so sharing my experience today.

No COVID test was required, no swab test was needed upon arrival.

Flying to Turkey from Montenegro (Podgorica Airport) is only less than 2 hours, which is way shorter than driving from our house in Herceg Novi to go to the airport in the capital city.

I flew Business Class, so it’s really convenient but compared before, there are no more meals provided for short-haul flights like this, but they distributed a hygiene kit. They are also boarding the last seats in the Economy first, and the Business would go in later. They used an old airplane, so it’s the same for all the seats that the middle seats are vacant.

How is it traveling during this Covid Situation?

While on the plane, they’d provide a Passenger Locator form you’d need to fill up and to be submitted to the immigration officer (even for those transiting).

I have a Philippines passport, but with my UK Visa (also applicable for Schengen and USA visa), I arranged to get my e-visa prior to my arrival to enter Turkey. It’s only $21, and you get it within 10 minutes online. There are no questions asked entering Turkey; all I needed was my passport, e-visa, passenger locator form, and a valid UK visa. Ideally, you’d need to show your hotel reservation, onward flight ticket and “pocket money” of minimum 50 Euro per day.

I think Turkey is already open for most nationalities for tourism, and if you’re only transiting, then you don’t need a visa.

There are thermal scanners and hand sanitizers at the airport. It’s kinda weird feeling to be at the airport that used to be really busy and now with few people only. I had to walk from the International airport to the Domestic airport. The lines are short.

There are signs for social distancing from seats, elevator, escalator, and announcement on the speaker every 20 minutes, I think. Most of the restaurants and stores in the Domestic airport are open.

You can conveniently sit anywhere as it’s empty, but I went to the Business Class lounge, which surprisingly is operating and have free cold drinks, coffee, tea, and sandwiches. 😬

Let’s see how it goes this week, and since I’m a resident in Montenegro, they would allow me to enter back in the country (hopefully without any problem!). 🙏🏽

How about you guys who have traveled this September? How is your experience? Please share the airline/ airport details.✈️