Crete Flight Route: Istanbul Layover Babymoon Review
Heading to Crete for a dream babymoon? Here is why adding an Istanbul layover was the best decision for a relaxed, stress-free 27-week pregnancy trip.
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Heading to Crete for a dream babymoon? Here is why adding an Istanbul layover was the best decision for a relaxed, stress-free 27-week pregnancy trip.
27 Weeks Pregnant
Starting Our European Babymoon
Traveling to Istanbul & Crete, Greece
DAY 1
Hello, Merhaba! :)
Sharing experiences and handy tips from everywhere I wander,
I'm travel influencer DoitEvery.
The ultimate destination for this trip
wasn't actually Istanbul, Türkiye.
I was heading to Greece's largest island,
Crete.
When looking for ways to get from Korea to Crete,
there were several routes available.
But considering the flight paths and travel time,
transiting through Istanbul turned out to be
the most time-efficient option.
And that's how this 18-day babymoon was born,
starting from Incheon Airport, heading through Istanbul,
and finally reaching the beautiful island of Crete.
Normally, I could have caught a late-night flight
to Crete on the very same day
we landed in Istanbul.
But this was a babymoon, and I was 27 weeks pregnant—
already in my 7th month.
Rather than pushing through a tight transfer and a packed schedule,
I decided to prioritize my physical well-being.
So, I chose an itinerary that allowed us to fully relax
and enjoy Istanbul for 4 days and 3 nights
before flying over to Crete.
Although our time in Crete became a bit shorter,
looking back, it was absolutely the right call.
Our first day in Istanbul was less about sightseeing
and more of an endless transit day.
We departed from Incheon Airport
and arrived in Istanbul after a long 12-hour flight,
and Saturday evening traffic was so brutal
it took us a solid two hours just to get to our hotel downtown.
It was a long, long day.
Still, the beginning of any journey is always thrilling.
Normally, I would have dropped my bags and headed straight
to find the best night view spots,
but this time, I promised myself to take things slow.
My goal for this trip to Türkiye
was to look after my body and create beautiful, lasting memories
at a gentle pace.
Words & Photos by @ DoitEvery
Today's Post | |
1. | ▶ Today's Travel Itinerary |
2. | ▶ Departing from Incheon Airport & Using Priority Lane Services |
3. | ▶ 12 Hours to Istanbul: Long-Haul Flight Essentials |
4. | ▶ Finally Arriving at Istanbul Airport |
5. | ▶ Getting Downtown: Klook Airport Pick-up Taxi |
6. | ▶ Checking into Burdock Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection |
Today's Travel Itinerary
Türkiye (Turkey) Trip Day 1
Incheon Airport → Asiana Airlines OZ551 →
Istanbul Airport → Klook Pick-up Taxi →
Burdock Hotel Istanbul,
Autograph Collection Hotel Check-in
📍 Location
📍 Istanbul Airport
Tayakadın, Terminal Caddesi No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Türkiye
📍 Burdock Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection
Hacımimi, Kemeraltı Cd. No.33, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
Departing from Incheon Airport & Using the Priority Lane—Such a Life Saver!
Since we had a long-haul flight ahead of us,
we headed to the airport a bit earlier and at a more leisurely pace.
Being 27 weeks pregnant,
walking too much around the airport could have been quite exhausting.
Fortunately, we were able to use the Priority Lane (Fast Track),
so even though we arrived only about 2 hours before departure,
the check-in and security processes were incredibly smooth and stress-free.
For this trip,
we flew with Asiana Airlines to Istanbul.
💡 For pregnant travelers under 32 weeks,
you can board without needing to submit a separate medical certificate.
This is a super helpful tip to keep in mind
if you're planning your own babymoon!
Before boarding,
we picked up a few baby essentials at the duty-free shop.
While looking for the priority lounge,
we stumbled upon a hidden gem of a spot.
It was the Incheon Airport Nap Zone.
They have super comfortable beds set up in a quiet space,
making it the perfect place to relax and unwind
before boarding a long-haul flight.
💡TIP 1: Asiana Airlines Pregnancy Benefits |
✔ Priority Boarding ✔ Priority Baggage Handling ✔ Access to Priority Seating |
✔ Access to Fast-Track Lanes ✔ Access to Priority Lounges (Incheon Airport benefits for expectant mothers) |
12 Hours to Istanbul: Long-Haul Flight Essentials
Long-Haul Flight Essentials for Expectant Mothers
Our flight this time was Asiana Airlines OZ551.
The flight time to Istanbul was about 12 hours.
It was an older Boeing 777-200 model.
To be honest, when I first sat down
and saw the monitor, I was a bit disappointed.
But once we were in the air, the selection of movies,
variety shows, and dramas was so diverse
that it wasn't boring at all!
The thing I focused on most during this long flight
was blood circulation.
During pregnancy,
the risk of leg swelling and blood clots can increase,
so I made sure to stand up and stretch
about once every hour.
Just doing some light stretches in the exit row area
near the restroom made me feel so much better.
💡TIP 2: Long-Haul Flight Essentials for Expectant Mothers |
The items that were absolute lifesavers on this flight: ✔ Compression socks ✔ Humidifying face mask ✔ Heated eye mask ✔ Kyusoku Jikan (cooling leg sheets) with acupressure dots |
Specifically, the compression socks were amazing
for keeping leg swelling to a minimum on the long flight.
Finally Arriving at Istanbul Airport!
The massive scale of Istanbul Airport
After that long flight, we finally touched down at Istanbul Airport.
Seeing the airport in person, rather than just in photos,
it was absolutely massive—way beyond my imagination.
The walk from immigration to the baggage claim area
was incredibly long.
It felt like we walked for at least 20 minutes.
But as I walked down the long corridor and looked out the window
at the scenery, it finally sank in:
"Wow, I'm finally in Istanbul, Türkiye!"
I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement.
💡TIP 3:
Istanbul Airport is incredibly large, so make sure to account for
the extra walking time to the baggage claim area after landing.
Getting to the City from Istanbul Airport: Klook Private Transfer
Klook private transfer review & discount code
To get from the airport to our hotel,
I booked a Klook private airport transfer.
I was a bit hesitant because there are so many
mixed reviews about taxis in Istanbul.
Buses don't drop you off right in front of your hotel,
and I'd heard stories about frequent scams with regular taxis.
I was also worried about price haggling and communication barriers.
Among all the transfer options,
Klook offered the best rates.
I even compared it to BiTaksi,
the Turkish taxi app similar to Grab or Bolt,
and Klook was actually about ~$6 to ~$13 cheaper!
A one-way trip from Istanbul Airport to the New City (European side)
was around ~$38
(for a 6-seater vehicle).
Even if there are only two of you, if you're on a babymoon,
traveling with parents, or in a group of 3 or 4,
it's highly recommended since you can reach your hotel comfortably
for a price that isn't much different from taking the airport bus.
▶Book with an exclusive Klook discount coupon here!
Book your private airport transfer on Klook.
Promo Code | Discount Amount | Terms of Use | Applicable Products | Applicable Regions | Expiration Date |
세시간전260001 | ~$1 discount | For purchases over ~$32 | All Klook products (excluding some items) | Worldwide | Until September 30, 2026 |
세시간전260002 | ~$2 discount | For purchases over ~$64 | |||
세시간전260003 | ~$4 discount | For purchases over ~$192 |
As soon as we landed at the airport,
our Usimsa eSIM connected instantly.
Thanks to that, we had absolutely no trouble staying in touch with the Klook pickup driver
or looking up maps.
👉Get 20% off your Usimsa eSIM here
However, we arrived just after 6:00 PM that day.
And with it being Saturday night in Istanbul,
the traffic was so bad that it took us about 2 hours
to get from the airport to the New District.
Over the course of our trip, flying in and out to Crete, Greece,
we used Klook's Istanbul Airport transfer service four times,
and it usually only takes about 50 minutes to an hour to reach the city center.
As we slowly made our way into the city,
we caught our very first glimpses of Istanbul
glowing through the car windows.
Checking into Burdock Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection
Burdock Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection
Our first stay was at the Burdock Hotel Istanbul, an Autograph Collection by Marriott Bonvoy,
located in the trendy Karaköy neighborhood of the European side's New District.
We stayed here for 3 nights and 4 days,
and the location alone made it worth every penny.
It was an easy walk to the Galata Bridge, Karaköy,
and the Galata Tower.
Plus, accessing public transit to head over to the European Old City
or the Asian side was incredibly convenient.
By the time we checked into the hotel, it was around 9:00 PM
and the night had fully settled in.
Even though our bodies were exhausted from the long flights and travel,
our hearts were light and full of excitement.
Starting tomorrow, we'd slowly explore the Blue Mosque and the Old City,
taste the authentic kaymak we'd been dreaming of for ages,
and wander through the charming alleys of Istanbul.
In just a few days, we'll head to Crete, Greece—
the ultimate destination of this trip.
So, we decided to take it easy on our very first night and get some solid rest.
For a babymoon, we believe a trip that leaves lasting memories
is far more precious than one crammed with a hectic sightseeing schedule.
And with that, our journey through Istanbul, Türkiye,
quietly began.
Hope this post helps anyone planning their next adventure! 😉
Teşekkürler for reading! 🤗
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Pregnant women under 32 weeks can board without submitting a separate medical certificate. In the article, the passenger also flew on Asiana flight OZ551 at 27 weeks pregnant without a certificate.
When flying with Asiana Airlines, the flight takes about 12 hours. For long-haul flights, it is helpful to prepare compression stockings to reduce leg swelling, a moisturizing mask, a heated eye mask, and Kyusoku Jikan acupressure cooling foot pads.
The one-way fare for a 6-seater Klook pickup taxi is ~$38. This is ~$6 to ~$13 cheaper compared to Bitaksi, a local Turkish taxi app.
It usually takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour from the airport to the city center. However, if there is heavy weekend traffic, such as on a Saturday evening, it can take up to 2 hours to reach the city.
The hotel is located in Karaköy, the new city district on the European side, making it convenient to walk to the Galata Bridge and Galata Tower. It also offers excellent public transportation access to the old city on the European side and the Asian side.
Dive into the heart of Istanbul on Day 2 of our journey! From the historic Galata Tower to the majestic Blue Mosque, experience the best of this captivating city.
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Planning a trip to Türkiye? Get an honest review of my Asiana Airlines economy flight experience to Istanbul, covering seats, meals, and baggage.
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