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Introducing Istanbul


Connecting Europe and Asia, Istanbul is an ancient city with a beauty and spirit that transcends continents. As one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, Istanbul welcomes millions of visitors each year, who come to enjoy the city’s historic architecture, vibrant urban life, gastronomic offerings and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The metropolis, which embodies the full spectrum of modern life, also defies time with its rich stories. Among the many historical sites to visit in Istanbul are the monumental Hagia Sophia, with its thousands of years of history; Topkapi Palace, one of the Ottoman Empire's landmarks; the Suleymaniye Mosque, a masterpiece of Mimar Sinan; and the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest markets. Discover Istanbul's contemporary face in neighborhoods like Beyoğlu, Nişantaşı, Kadıköy and Karaköy. Sample Istanbul's delicious street flavors, from bagels to kokoreç, chestnuts to corn, and discover new dishes at sophisticated Michelin-starred restaurants. In Istanbul, you can find places to suit everyone's tastes. The Istanbul Travel Guide page presents the attractions and activities available in this one-of-a-kind city – check it out and book a flight to Istanbul for a new adventure.

Discover Istanbul with us

A flight to Istanbul signals the prospects of new, exciting experiences. Iconic Istiklal Street and the splendid Dolmabahce Palace, a symbol of the Ottoman Empire's modernization, the magical Bosphorus, the mystical Basilica Cistern, and the heartwarming Emirgan Park and the Rumeli and Anatolian Fortresses facing each other across the Bosphorus. These and more… Balat's historic streets, Kuzguncuk's cozy ambiance, the Maiden's Tower on a Bosphorus isle, and Kadıköy's vibrant nightlife present a wildly diverse menu for different expectations. All these places, and more, where you can fully experience the spirit of Istanbul, await you in the heart of the world.

For a brand new story, book a flight to Istanbul now.

Headquartered in Istanbul, the heart of the world, Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Istanbul to almost everywhere in Türkiye and numerous cities around the world. This page contains all the information you need regarding Istanbul flights and ticket fares.

1-İstanbul Airport

İstanbul Airport (IST) is in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of the city. Officially opened on October 29, 2018, İstanbul Airport stands out with its wide range of restaurants, cafés and shops, as well as its flagship Turkish Airlines Lounges and other high-end facilities. With its 1.4 million-square-meter main terminal building, İstanbul Airport is the seventh largest airport in the world and the Turkish Airlines hub.

2-Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Opened on January 8, 2001, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) is in the Pendik district on the Asian side of Istanbul. AJet, a Turkish Airlines brand, operates its Istanbul flights from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. Named after Sabiha Gökçen, one of the first female pilots of Türkiye, the airport is one of the busiest in Türkiye. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport offers a variety of food and beverage outlets and shopping opportunities for passengers, as well as facilities such as places of worship and hotels.

Istanbul is known for:


Culinary Wellness History and Art Romantic Entertainment and Shopping Swimming Seaside Urban

Quick information

NEARBY CITIES
Kocaeli (115 km)
Tekirdağ (180 km)
Sakarya (154 km)
CURRENCY
Turkish Lira (TRY)

COUNTRY CODE
+90

ELECTRIC POWER
C, E, F

TIME ZONE
GMT +3

AVG. PRICE OF A COFFEE
3 €

AVG. PRICE OF A MEAL (2 PEOPLE)
45 €

Average Temperature

January
6.7 °C
February
6.9 °C
March
8.4 °C
April
12.8 °C
May
17.6 °C
June
22.2 °C
July
24.6 °C
August
24.7 °C
September
21.2 °C
October
16.7 °C
November
12.6 °C
December
8.9 °C

Istanbul airports transportation information

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:

A. Transportation from Istanbul International Airport to the city center

Istanbul International Airport is located on the European side of the Istanbul, between, neighborhoods on the Black Sea coast, Tayakadın and Akpınar villages. 

Istanbul Airport is 42 km from the city center. Havaist buses go to many central, easy-to-reach spots, such as Taksim, Beşiktaş, Yenikapı, Bahçeşehir and Kadıköy. 

You can also reach the city center from the airport with İETT buses. More information can be found on Istanbul Airport transportation page. 

B. Transportation from Sabiha Gokcen İnternational Airport to the city center 

Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport is 46 km from the city center Sultanahmet. You can reach there by Havabus shuttles, metro, and tram. Another city center, Taksim Square, is 48 km from the city center. You can also reach there by Havabus shuttles or metro. 

From Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, it would take around 2.5 hours to reach Sultanahmet, 1.5 hours to Taksim Square.

Average time from airport: A: 120 minutes | B: 150 minutes

Distance from airport: A: 42 km | B: 46 km

TAXI:

A. Istanbul International Airport 

To reach from Istanbul International Airport to the city center, you can take one of the taxis waiting in front of the domestic and international terminals and reach Taksim Square in about one hour. 

B. Sabiha Gokcen International Airport 

You can take a taxi from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to Sultanahmet on a 24/7 basis. You can get to Sultanahmet by taxi in about one and a half hours from the airport. You can travel from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Taksim Square in about one hour and 20 minutes.

Average taxi price: N/A

CAR RENTAL:

Get on the road with some extra rewards. Book an Avis car and you can earn up to 4000 bonus Miles, depending on how long you rent. With Budget, there’s 35% off Turkey rentals and up to 2500 in bonus Miles.

Average car rental price: N/A

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Earn 2 Miles for EUR 1 at our accommodations

Thanks to our partnership with Booking.com and Jolly, you can earn 2 Miles for EUR 1, which you can spend anywhere from friendly family lodgings, 5-star hotels, hostels to villas.

Select hotel

Earn 2 Miles for EUR 1 at our accommodations

Thanks to our partnership with Booking.com and Jolly, you can earn 2 Miles for EUR 1, which you can spend anywhere from friendly family lodgings, 5-star hotels, hostels to villas.

Select hotel

Frequently asked questions about istanbul flights

How to buy an İstanbul plane ticket at the best price? Learn more

We recommend that you choose the autumn and winter months, apart from special holidays, to get a plane ticket to İstanbul at the best prices. Moreover, you can buy your İstanbul flight ticket in a much better way by following the flight ticket campaigns offered by Turkish Airlines.

What is the arrival airport when travelling to Istanbul? Learn more

Turkish Airlines flights to Istanbul are operated from Istanbul Airport, the city's main airport, while AJet, a Turkish Airlines brand, operates flights to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

How to book flights to Istanbul? Learn more

You can book flight tickets to Istanbul from the top section of the Istanbul flight ticket page you are in, via the flight ticket page or by using the Turkish Airlines mobile application

What is the baggage allowance on flights to Istanbul? Learn more

The baggage allowance on an Istanbul flight will vary depending on the ticket category. You can select or add to your baggage allowance during the ticket creation steps, and you can benefit from our extra baggage service when necessary.

Can miles be used to buy flight ticket to Istanbul? Learn more

When purchasing a flight to Istanbul, you can create an award ticket using miles depending on the availability in the aircraft.

Are there food and beverage services on Istanbul flights? Learn more

We offer delicious catering on both domestic and international flights to Istanbul. You can visit the link for more information regarding dining onboard.

Can pets be carried on flights to Istanbul? Learn more

You can bring your pet on our Istanbul flights, subject to availability on the aircraft and within certain rules. For more information, please see the Traveling with pets page.

Is it more advantageous to book a round-trip flight to Istanbul? Learn more

When visiting Istanbul, booking a round-trip flight ticket may be more cost effective and offer additional advantages.


Places to see in Istanbul