<p>Looking at tickets for college-student D, who will be traveling from China to Europe in August. The best two options price- and time-wise are flights that will connect either in Istanbul or Doha, Qatar. Having never been to either, I am wondering how to assess which is the better option. The connection time for both is slightly more than three hours. Anyone have any experience with either of these airports? Or is there a website that rates airports for connections (I am thinking of something like seatguru, but for airports)?</p>
<p>The international airport in Istanbul is modern, well organized and basically fantastic.(but then again, I live in a city with the worst airport in the world–LAX and in comparison everything seems fantastic) I have no experience with Doha…try Tripadvisor?</p>
<p>I’ve never been to Istanbul, but transitioning at Doha is quite nice. The airport there is also modern. It’s pretty amazing. Plus, the bathrooms are very clean haha :D</p>
<p>IMO, it won’t matter much either way, judging from the other post.</p>
<p>My vote would be Doha</p>
<p>check out flytertalk dot com; very knowledgeable worldwide travellers and you should get an almost immediate reply</p>
<p>For three hours it won’t make much difference either way. Last year my son was hoping to get a long layover in one of the gulf states so he could go in for a tour. (He was supposed to have 8 hours, but his plane ended up so late he just made his connections.) This summer he was hoping for a long Istanbul layover because he has a good friend who is Turkish and is there for the summer. Unfortunately he’s only got a few hours.</p>
<p>Have never been to Doha, but have gone thru the Istanbul airport numerous times and it is very easy. On the other hand, Doha may be a bit more modern. I think either would be fine.</p>
<p>can they change planes some place a little safer like Argentina or something?</p>
<p>Both of those nations are very safe, so don’t worry about that. If they were planning on maybe spending some time outside the airport, choose Istanbul, the city is gorgeous. Otherwise, Doha is a bit better airport.</p>
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<p>Ha! There is a third flight with a comparable price and schedule – it connects through Cairo, which H vetoed. </p>
<p>Thanks for the flyertalk recommendation. Since she is only there for a short time, the thing I am most concerned about is how easy the connection will be. (I ruled out a Paris connection because connecting there was a nightmare.) Since both the incoming and outgoing flights are international, I would assume that she would not need to collect her checked bag or go through security again at either airport, but if so, that would make a difference.</p>
<p>If it’s only one airline she should be able to check her luggage to her final destination. Make sure she checks the airport code when she checks in</p>
<p>We flew through Doha last week. Houston - India via Doha. Doha airport is going through a major construction . We had to get out of the aircraft , board a bus, had to go through busy security lines, barely making the flight. While coming back we had 2 hour layover - things were little better. It had basic facilities, sub par shopping . Since it is at a temporary facility, it is insanley crowded.The staff is not very helpful either.
If you have a layover more than 3 hours making connection flight may not be a problem.</p>
<p><<ha! there="" is="" a="" third="" flight="" with="" comparable="" price="" and="" schedule="" --="" it="" connects="" through="" cairo,="" which="" h="" vetoed.="">></ha!></p>
<p>I wouldn’t have any concerns going thru the Cairo airport, but while the airport is MUCH better than it was when I lived there - Istanbul is still much nicer.</p>