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Istanbul's Archaeological Museum is highly recommended for its excellent organization. The Museum of Frescoes, likely referring to the Chora Church, features impressive Byzantine mosaics. Visitors can also explore the Walls of Constantinople and reach Yedikule Fortress.

A flight connection in Istanbul with an overnight stay was chosen due to cheaper non-direct tickets. Plans include visiting the museum of frescoes and the archaeological museum. The Istanbul airport was reported as quiet, even on a Sunday, with crowds primarily at immigration upon arrival.

For visiting Izmir and Ephesus: Spend one day in Izmir (or on return). Stay overnight in Selçuk for a more thorough exploration. Dedicate one day to Ephesus and Şirince, and another to Selçuk town, its castle, and basilica. Ephesus requires sufficient time for proper exploration.

User describes layover experience in Istanbul, utilizing metro access for city exploration and mentioning business lounges at SAW airport. Notes that lounges can be crowded and purchasing access is time-limited. Mentions sleep capsules and relaxation zones at IST. Also notes a new Hilton hotel opening at Istanbul Airport. Discusses options for layovers, including metro, lounges, and paid sleep facilities, highlighting the convenience of metro access.

Turkish Airlines provides free transit tours for passengers with layovers between 6-24 hours on a single ticket (IST-IST). Luggage storage in Istanbul Airport (IST) for a large suitcase costs approximately 550 TRY. Check-in counters typically open 3 hours before departure.

Describes a strategy for a long overnight layover at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). The user stayed at a nearby hotel, accessed via a short metro ride. They emphasize that long layovers can be beneficial, especially in adverse weather conditions that can cause flight delays. Metro access at the new Istanbul Airport (IST) is also confirmed.

Turkish Airlines offers a 'Stepover' hotel service for passengers with long layovers. This service typically needs to be booked at least 72 hours before departure and may require a round-trip booking. If the 72-hour window is missed, obtaining a hotel at the airport may depend on specific airline policies and a direct request.

An entrance ticket to Ephesus typically allows for a single visit and is priced around 40 EUR. There are additional tickets for specific sites within Ephesus, such as the terrace houses with frescoes, which might cost an extra fee (e.g., 65 EUR for Ephesus and the Basilica combined). These internal sites usually need to be explored within a single entry.

The food chain Tavuk Dünyası, popular in Turkey, has a similar chain called Gagava in Russia. This is seen as an example of concept replication.

For travelers with T-Bank Premium subscription, access to business lounges in Istanbul (IST) may be available. Check the Every Lounge app (or its successor Phoenix Pass) for T-Bank integration. Also, explore lounge networks like persona.aero and phoenix pass for available lounges at IST. T-Bank's customer support might provide specific details.

The official Istanbul Airport mobile application provides real-time navigation and gate information for passengers, often updating earlier than physical terminal displays.

In Turkey, the tourism sector is experiencing significant disruptions. Numerous hotels have closed, leading to major issues at airports. Passengers on several Turkish Airlines flights have faced delays of up to 10 hours after check-in and baggage drop, with some instances of being deplaned and required to re-enter security. Additionally, Turkish Airlines has reportedly begun blacklisting passengers identified as 'problematic'.