Will be curious to know how Istanbul works out for you. Smarter choice than Cairo, but there have been issues there too. Good luck regardless and keep us posted.
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Finally made it quite easily. Better that i expected.
Arrived from Athens at around 09.45. Having my cabin baggage with me. I stayed at the central hall were i have to learn the departure gate for my flight at 13,30.
At Istanbul airport the gates are announced no earlier than 2 hours before departure. At 11,35 walked (quite a lot) to the gate. No other security checks except boarding control at the gate. Transfer to plane by bus again, connected gates to planes are mostly for Turkish Airline planes.
On the way back, Silkair at KLIA offered to check in my baggage up to my final destination, Athens and not just to Istanbul, although from IST to ATH i booked separate ticket and airline. That was really convinient.
Landed on time, 7,45 at IST, had 8 hours waiting time. I passed passport control and headed to Taksim Square for eat and shop some souvenirs. Back to the airport was a crowd at passport control, needed 35 minutes to get clearance. 2nd baggage security scan (already one at airport entrance, like Ninoy Aquino)
and headed to the gate.
Overall the airport is big, messy, wi fi sucks and expensive. However didnt have any great issues