Hey everyone! After laying low for a while due to work, I’m finally back to share some deets on my recent spontaneous trip back to Vietnam. In this post, I’ll be sharing my experience with booking tickets and flying with Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines—hope this helps those of you planning your next getaway or scouting for flight deals!
1. Gotogate: Should you book through them?
When you use flight aggregators like Skyscanner, you’ll often get redirected to third-party travel agents or the airline’s own site. For my recent trip, I booked my Oslo – Saigon (Qatar Airways) and Saigon – Oslo (Turkish Airlines) flights via Gotogate. Here’s my honest take on using these intermediaries:
- Gotogate: Both my bookings went super smoothly. The process was straightforward, and the email updates were consistent. Overall, I found them to be pretty reliable.
- Vayama: They often show very attractive prices, but I noticed a lot of detailed 1-2 star reviews. Meanwhile, the 5-star reviews were way too short for my liking, which made me feel a bit uneasy, so I decided to skip them. That said, it could still be an option if you’re looking to save some extra cash.
Pro-tip: Always double-check your personal details—especially your full name (don't forget your middle name!), date of birth, and passport number—before confirming payment. It saves you from a massive headache and extra fees if you have to change things later.
2. Flying to Northern Europe with Qatar Airways
If you're heading to Northern Europe, Qatar Airways is a solid choice. The flight time is split nicely into two 7-8 hour legs, which really helps in keeping the jet lag at bay.
Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha is absolutely massive and stunning, but be prepared for a lot of walking. One important heads-up: departure gates can change at the drop of a hat (like what happened on my Doha – Saigon leg), so don’t just rely on the automated screens. It’s always safer to check the information boards or ask at the desk.
3. Turkish Airlines & Istanbul Airport Experience
Turkish Airlines is a massive hit with Vietnamese travellers, and for good reason—the service is top-notch. They even have Vietnamese menus on board, which is super convenient if you're travelling with family or the elderly. Their network is extensive, making it a great choice for transit flights to Europe, whether you're heading to Paris or Northern Europe.
Istanbul Airport (IST) is super modern, with plenty of shops and local Turkish treats to explore. However, there are two minor downsides to keep in mind:
- Pricing: Most shops and cafes list prices in Turkish Lira (TRY) rather than EUR/USD, which can be a bit tricky when you're trying to do a quick mental conversion.
- Airport Wi-Fi: The connection is quite restrictive. You get a very small free allowance (only 7MB), and the SMS OTP verification system can be a bit hit-or-miss.
On the food front, I personally found the meals on Turkish Airlines tastier than Qatar Airways. If you ever fly with them, you definitely have to try their sour cherry juice—it's a must!
Source: https://blog.dulichdau.com/review-ve-may-bay-gotogate-qatar-airways-turkish-airlines/
