Layover requirements for Turkish passport holders

Part 1:

Erhan, the plain truth is that Turkish citizens are allowed (are eligible) to perform 24 hour visa free transit. In other words, you are free to choose between the two options you have presented. Which one will you choose will be up to you. You really do not need a visa.

It is important to emphasize that if you choose an itinerary with shorter layover, you will just walk from one to the other gate and you will not be attempting to exit the airport based on the temporary entry permit, but will stay airside. In this case you will not be a subject of immigration and customs control, but you will just cross a short security check between the two gates.

So, you can choose between your two plans and you will be able to enjoy 24 hour visa free transit without any doubt.

Part 2:

Erhan, based on your presentation and the fact that there is no direct flight from Berlin to Shanghai, does your planned itinerary looks like this:

Berlin - Beijing - Shanghai - Bangkok

If this is the case, you should just count the number of hours beginning from your first landing, in your case in Beijing, until your final departure, in your case from Shanghai. If that period is shorter than 24 hours, you are good to go.

In this case, upon your landing in Beijing the first thing you will do is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit counter where you will apply for a temporary entry permit. This is not a visa, but a permit that allows you to exit the airside (transit) area in order to catch your flight to Shanghai because this one will be a domestic one. So, 24/144 hour visa free transit counter is your first stop upon landing. This is formal application, free of charge, where you will present your confirmed flights to Shanghai and Bangkok.

When your permit is granted, you will head to the immigration to formally enter China in order to catch your next flight to Shanghai. When you arrive in Shanghai, you will cross the exit immigration in order to get to the gate for your flight to Bangkok. Have a nice journey.

Thank you for the detailed answer.

I will probably stick to plan 1 and find a ticket with a single layover in China as you mentioned. There are some from my neighboring cities however I wasn’t sure about the Turkish passport restrictions.

Some sources say that Guangzhou, Xiamen etc. are not open for Turkish passport holders for a 24 hour visa free passage. I had the impression that some airports are specifically not visa free for us.

I will for sure stay under 24h and do a single transfer in China from the same airport without leaving then. Thank you for the answer.

Erhan, the only two airports in China that have restrictions on several citizenship, not only toward Turkish citizens, are Urumqi and Xiamen. All others are open and the Turkish citizens can use it normally for 24 hour visa free transit purposes. In any case, choose the option where you feel that you will be comfortable and enjoy your journey.