

Turkey is open to international tourism
Turkey is open to all travelers, quarantine-free, regardless of their vaccination status. All travel restrictions have been lifted, however, a Form for Entry to Türkiye must be completed within 72 hours before departure and the copy must be presented prior to boarding.
Visitors from selected European countries, such as Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, or Poland, can enter Turkey without visa. Foreign tourists from other countries need to apply online for the Turkey eVisa – a digital version of the usual travel visa that allows a stay of 30 to 90 days, depending on nationality.
Transiting through Turkey is allowed if you remain in the transit area of the airport during the layover. Transit Visa is only required if you want to pass the Turkish Immigration.
Arriving in Istanbul
- If you are flying to Istanbul from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport — Istanbul Atatürk Airport
IST
and Sabiha Gökçen AirportSAW
. Istanbul Atatürk Airport, located on the European side of the city, is the larger of the two airports and the primary hub for the national carrier Turkish Airlines. It's well-connected to the city center by a variety of transportation options — including the metro, public bus, and taxis. Upon arrival, you'll find a range of dining options, shopping centers, currency exchange, ATMs, and luggage storage. There's a Wi-Fi network available for arriving passengers (free 1-hour free access, you must register first via SMS and using your passport number).Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, located on the Asian side of the city, is a smaller but more modern airport compared to IST, and it primarily serves low-cost airlines. It is also less crowded, which can be a big plus if you're looking for a smoother arrival experience. SAW is known for its impressive views of the city and the nearby sea — plan ahead and book a window seat! After arrival, you'll have some good options to get to the city via taxi or private transfer services. However, public transport is less convenient than at IST.
These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Istanbul. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result. - Once in Istanbul, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, AnadoluJet, Onur Air, and Corendon Airlines. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Istanbul can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirArabia, FlyDubai, Jazeera Airways, AirEuropa, EasyJet, Eurowings, Wizz Air. If you have a layover in Istanbul and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.
Airports of Istanbul
Airlines flying to Istanbul | Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Albania, Air Algerie, AirArabia, Air Astana, Air Canada, AirEuropa, Air France, AirMalta, AirMoldova, Air Monte Negro, Air Portugal, ANA, Air New Zealand, AirSerbia, Ariana Afgan Airlines, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Avianca, Azerbaijan Airlines, Azimuth, Badr Airlines, Belavia, Berniq Airways, British Airways, Buraq Air, Cathay Pacific, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EasyJet, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, EVA Air, Finnair, FlyBaghdad, FlyDubai, Fly Jordan, FlyOne, Fly OYA, Garuda Indonesia, Ghadames Air, Gulf Air, Hong Kong Airlines, IndiGo, IrAero, IranAir, Iran Aseman Airlines, Iraqi Airways, Japan Airlines, Jazeera Airways, JetBlue, Jordan Aviation, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Libyan Wings, LOT, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, MEA, Meraj Air, NouvelAir, Oman Air, Philippine Airlines, PIA, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Qeshm Air, Red Wings, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Brunei, Royal Jordanian, Rossiya Airlines, RwandAir, SAS, Saudia, SCAT Airlines, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Tarom, Thai Airways, TunisAir, Turkish Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines, UIA, United Airlines, Utair, Uzbekistan Airways, Wizz Air |
---|---|
Airlines of Turkey | Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, AnadoluJet, Onur Air, Corendon Airlines, Freebird Airlines, Tailwind Airlines |
Main airports in Istanbul | Istanbul International Airport (IST) — Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) — Istanbul |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €100 – €200 (from Europe) ✈ $650 – $900 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Airline promotions | See ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from March to May |
Turkish Airlines: long-haul planes on short-haul routes
Turkish Airlines has an enormous fleet of nearly 400 aircraft – from the small Airbus A319 (126 seats) up to the giant Boeing 777-300ER (249 seats). The good news is that the airline often operates long-haul configured aircraft on short and medium-haul routes.
So if you fly domestically from Istanbul or travel to one of the neighboring countries, choose Turkish Airlines – you may get lucky and be seated in a large cabin with generous seat legroom, even in economy class. Look for Airbus A330, Airbus A350, Boeing 787 and Boeing 777s when booking your ticket.
The cheapest time to fly to Istanbul
The low tourist season in Turkey typically occurs between November and April (excluding dates around Christmas and New Year) – it is also the cheapest time to fly to Istanbul. Airfares and hotel prices tend to be cheaper as the country is less crowded and there is less demand. However, the temperatures can be quite cold in some regions, and some attractions may be closed due to inclement weather.
Despite the cooler temperatures, the low season presents a great opportunity to experience Istanbul in a different light. You can still enjoy its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and delicious cuisine – with the added benefit of having many attractions to yourself.
Know your time zone
Turkey uses only one time zone across the country – Turkey Time (TRT) – which is UTC+3 (GMT+3). As a result, clocks in Istanbul are 3 hours ahead of London and 7 hours ahead of New York. The country shares the same time zone with Ethiopia, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine. It does not have an associated daylight saving time.
Ensure you know the local time zone when checking flights and airport transfer times. The departure time on your plane ticket is always listed based on the time zone of the departure airport. We suggest resetting your watch during the flight – it will help your brain adjust to the new time zone and to deal with jet lag.
Duty-free rules
Turkey is serious about the duty-free concession. There is a limit for bringing in certain items. Alcoholic drinks such as wine or spirits cannot exceed one liter per person, and you can carry only 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 200g of tobacco. In addition to personal items, you may also carry items such as gifts – up to a value of €430.
Anything above those limits must be declared – at the airport in Istanbul, head to the Red Lane to declare your goods.
Flights to Istanbul from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Istanbul. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Istanbul, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Currently, only Turkish Airlines (THY) offers year-round direct flights on routes from the US/Canada to Istanbul. It flies out from most biggest cities in North America: New York, Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Toronto and Vancouver. All scheduled flights arrive at the Istanbul International Airport. Expect to spend between 9 and 14 hours on a plane.
- Istanbul is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Istanbul with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL
, DallasDFW
, DenverDEN
, ChicagoORD
, Los AngelesLAX
, Las VegasDFW
, MiamiMIA
, SeattleSEA
, HoustonIAH
, New YorkJFK
, and San FranciscoSFO
in the United States and TorontoYYZ
, VancouverYVR
, CalgaryLAS
, and MontrealYUL
in Canada. - The best airlines to fly to Istanbul from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
- For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to Istanbul, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.
Istanbul from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24
Real-time economy class airfares to Istanbul from the US and Canada. Shown are the top three deals for flights departing in the coming months (March to November).
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Hacker faresto Istanbul
Superdeals airlines don't want you to see:
Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports
Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and the airports in Istanbul are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.
Plan ahead and exchange some money for the Turkish lira at home.
Download a VPN app
When it comes to media censorship, Turkey is one of the world leaders – it seems to have a problem with freedom of speech and certain online content. In the last few years, more than 250,000 websites have been banned temporarily or permanently – including Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, Wikipedia, IMDB, and Blogspot. You can use this website to check if a certain site currently works in Turkey.
If you want to keep access to your favorite websites while traveling to Istanbul, you should download a VPN app for your smartphone and laptop before you arrive. With the VPN app, you will be able to bypass government censorship and freely access all blocked content.
Uber has limited availability in Istanbul
Uber is available in Turkey but not everywhere in the country. The app will find you a ride easily in Istanbul, however, in most areas outside the city, it can be much more difficult to find a car (try BiTaksi and iTaksi apps there). If available, though, Uber is a good way for a cross-city journey: the cars are safe, usually air-conditioned, and there are fixed distance-based fees, so drivers can’t overcharge you for journeys.
Interestingly, Uber is easily accessible for airport transfers in Istanbul. So, instead of taking a bus or local taxi, you can simply use the Uber app at the airport to arrange a quick transfer to the city.
Long waiting times when calling the helpline?
Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and others).
When it comes to Twitter, there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@TurkishAirlines”). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.
Flights to Istanbul with stopover
Direct flights to Istanbul are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.
So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.
When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in Istanbul. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.
Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to Istanbul with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.
A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to Istanbul will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.
Flights to Istanbul from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Istanbul — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Istanbul are just few hours long (around 4 hours if you fly direct from London, and just below 2 hours from Athens). Most European hubs have a nonstop connection to Istanbul (as well to other Turkish cities). Among the airlines that operate those route you'll find both full-service carriers such as British Airways, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, SAS, SWISS, and Turkish Airlines, and low-budget companies by the likes of WizzAir, EasyJet, Ryanair, Eurowings, and Jet2.com.
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Istanbul include Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Finnair, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, SAS, and Turkish Airlines.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Istanbul from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.
We recommend checking prices for flights to Istanbul from these European airport hubs: LondonLHR
and ManchesterMAN
in the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRA
and MunichMUC
in Germany, ParisCDG
and NiceNCE
in France, AmsterdamAMS
in the Netherlands, MadridMAD
and BarcelonaBCN
in Spain, RomeFCO
and MilanoMXP
in Italy, BrusselsBRU
in Belgium, CopenhagenOSL
in Denmark, OsloOSL
in Norway, StockholmARN
in Sweden, ZurichZRH
in Switzerland, LisbonLIS
in Portugal, ViennaVIE
in Austria, WarsawWAW
in Poland, PraguePRG
in Czech Republic, and DublinDUB
in Ireland.
European airports with the cheapest flights to Istanbul
Find the lowest prices for flights to Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.
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Can't finda good deal?
Get 40% – 80% off airfares from Europe to Istanbul:
How to book SuperDeals?
At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Istanbul is Google Flights. Every time we send SuperDeals to our 110,000 members (see some examples), we include links to Google Flights so that each deal can be booked immediately.
Google Flights then showcases various options for booking the deal: you can almost always book directly with the airline (by cutting out the middleman) or – alternatively – with an OTA that offers the same flight at a similar price. Once you have chosen your booking option, you will be redirected to the external website where you can finalize your ticket purchase.
One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar that appears underneath the booking options. It provides a visual representation of the price in comparison to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline) – indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher.

If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”) don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly – 40% to 80% – cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:

If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Istanbul). Signup now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!
Last-minute flights to Istanbul. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Istanbul almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.

The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Istanbul is around 60-90 days before the departure date.
Domestic air travel from Istanbul
Most domestic routes in Turkey are operated by local airlines. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Antalya, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, Adana, Gaziantep, or Konya from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport, you’ll be flying with one of these domestic air transport companies: Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, AnadoluJet, Onur Air, and Corendon Airlines. In most cases, it is the best (the fastest, the most convenient, and the cheapest) way to travel around the country.
If you plan to fly domestically from Istanbul check the latest prices here, then book your flight ticket online.
Flights to Istanbul from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Istanbul. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
Direct flights and flights with one layover to Istanbul are available from all major airports in Australia – SydneySYD
, BrisbaneBNE
, MelbourneMEL
, PerthPER
, AdelaideADL
, CairnsCNS
, Gold CoastOOL
, CanberraCBR
, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL
, WellingtonWLG
, ChristchurchCHC
, QueenstownZQN
, DunedinDUD
. - In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in Istanbul with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Istanbul are AirArabia, FlyDubai, Jazeera Airways, AirEuropa, EasyJet, Eurowings, Wizz Air.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Istanbul. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
Prices of flights to Istanbul from Australia and New Zealand
Real-time economy class fares to Istanbul from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.
Prices in Australian Dollar.
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Curated dealsfrom flight experts
Fly half-price (or less!) from Australia and New Zealand to Istanbul:
Get cheaper business class by bidding on airline upgrades
A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Istanbul, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, visit the airline website and place a “blind” bid for an upgrade by providing your Booking Reference number.
There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed by email, and your seat will be upgraded.
Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp), Cathay Pacific (Upgrade Bid), Etihad Airways (Bid To Upgrade), Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Hawaiian Airlines (Bid Up), LATAM (Cabin Upgrade), Lufthansa (Bid Upgrade), Royal Jordanian (Go Crown), Qantas (Bid Now), SAS (SAS Upgrade), Singapore Airlines (mySQupgrade), SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).
Why should you book an early morning flight to Istanbul
It is a seemingly simple but often overlooked strategy: fly at dawn for smoother travel and cheaper tickets. Booking an early morning flight to Istanbul can pay off in numerous ways:
- Cheaper airfares. Early morning flights – between 4 am and 8 am – are usually cheaper than other day schedules. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early.
- Lower chance of delay. The thin traffic in the morning leads to fewer delays – all the flights from the night before have already landed, and there is no other air traffic to contend with. Air traffic and delays get worse throughout the day – starting around 8-10 am and reaching a peak at 4-6 pm. If you are flying to Istanbul with a connecting flight, arriving on time at your layover airport may be critical to catching your next flight!
- Fewer crowds at the airport. By heading to the airport before rush hour, you can at least halve the time spent in city traffic. With fewer travelers at the airport, there will be no long lines at the check-in and security, and waiting areas will be less crowded.
Taking an early morning flight is the best way to avoid crowds at the airport - Less turbulence. Early morning flights offer a smoother ride, with less turbulence. Thunderstorms and unstable air, which can cause turbulence (including its worst kind – convective turbulence) are more likely to occur in the afternoon.
- Fresher crew. You’ll be flying with a crew that has had a good night’s sleep and is mentally ready to provide better service and ensure a safer flight experience.
- Cleaner plane. On its first flight of the day, your aircraft will be as sanitary as possible. Airlines generally take extra care to thoroughly clean planes between flights, but boarding that morning flight gives you the greatest chance of a spotless plane.
Looking for the best deals for Istanbul? Check different departure airports.
Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Istanbul from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Istanbul, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.
For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Istanbul, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.
The same goes for long-haul flights to Istanbul from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!

Flights to Istanbul from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Many popular tourist destinations in Asia have convenient direct flights to/from Istanbul: Bangkok
BKK
, BaliDPS
, BeijingPEK
, Ho Chi MinhSGN
, Hong KongHKG
, JakartaCGK
, Kuala LumpurKUL
, ManilaMNL
, New DelhiDEL
, PhuketHKT
, SingaporeSIN
, TaipeiTPE
, and TokyoHND
. - Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Istanbul look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Istanbul will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Turkey and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
Flights from major Asian airports to Istanbul
Asia is home to some of the busiest and most connected airports in the world. All major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Istanbul — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
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Fly half-price(or less!)
Get curated deals to Istanbul from our flight experts:
Fly now, pay later
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.
The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).
When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Istanbul, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Turkey to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Turkey and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips
Every year, airlines handle millions of bags, and a small percentage of these bags never make it to their final destinations. Globally, airlines mishandle around 0.7% of bags checked in, which translates to seven bags out of every 1,000. Losing the luggage on your trip to Istanbul can be a frustrating and stressful experience, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of this happening to you.
- Use GPS-Trackers. A luggage tracking device such as Apple AirTag or Samsung Galaxy SmartTag comes with a smartphone app and is an excellent way to locate your bag if it goes missing.
Apple AirTag and Samsung SmartTag are small, trackable devices that can be attached to the check-in luggage - Label your luggage with your name, address, phone number and the name of your destination airport in Istanbul. Put these details inside the case as well.
- Remove old tags. Tags are printed with a barcode for identification and tracking, so the old tags from previous flights can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners.
- Avoid tight layovers. Give yourself and your luggage time to get aboard the next plane by picking a flight to Istanbul with a longer layover.
- Don’t overstuff your suitcase. Heavy bags are more likely to get damaged and stuck on the belts, causing the bag to be misdirected.
- Make your bag stand out. After arrival at Istanbul airport, most people just want to grab their luggage and get out of the airport as soon as possible. In their haste, a case of mistaken identity can sometimes occur.
- Take a picture of your bag and the contents, and keep it on your phone. This can be helpful if you need to make a claim for lost or damaged items.
- Use a TSA-approved luggage lock. This will secure your bags and will help deter theft.
- Keep your valuables in your hand luggage. The airline liability is notoriously low (around €1,000 in most cases) and it usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance. It can act as a safety net as it can often cover the full value of your luggage. Travel insurance may also reimburse you for any emergency purchases you need to make while you wait.
Hidden-city ticketing hack
Hidden-city ticketing is a less-known money-saving tactic where you buy a plane ticket with a layover, with the intention to get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be $600, but a similar flight from New York to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo might be only $350. Choosing the latter and ending the trip in Tokyo would save you $250.
It seems counterintuitive that a fare from A to C via B could possibly be cheaper than a simple fare on a shorter route from A to B. However, airlines use dynamic, computer-driven price models calculated with little human intervention, and such deals happen quite often.
Booking a hidden city ticket isn’t as easy as booking a standard itinerary. There are some things to be aware of: (1) don’t check baggage — bring only hand luggage that can fit under the seat or an overhead compartment; a large checked bag will end up in the final destination C; (2) don’t use it for return flights — airlines often void any subsequent tickets if any segment of the first ticket is missed; (3) Do not overuse this tactic with the same airline — hidden-city ticketing is legal but airlines don’t like it and may try to punish you; (4) Don’t associate your frequent flyer account — the airline might invalidate any miles you’ve accrued with them.
How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to Istanbul.

FAQ: Flying to Istanbul
Q: What is the cheapest time of year to fly to Istanbul?
A: The low tourist season in Turkey typically occurs between November and April (excluding dates around Christmas and New Year) – it is also the cheapest time to fly to Istanbul.
Q: Which airport is best to fly into in Istanbul?
A: Istanbul International Airport (IST) is the largest and cheapest airport to fly into Istanbul. Another good option is Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, located on the Asian side of the city - a smaller but more modern airport that primarily serves low-cost airlines.
Q: Can you fly direct from Canada to Istanbul?
A: Yes, there are direct (nonstop) flights from Canada to Istanbul operated by Turkish Airlines. All flights depart from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) or Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and arrive at Istanbul International Airport (IST).
Q: Why are flights to Istanbul so expensive?
A: The flight prices to Istanbul depend primarily on which part of the world you are flying from. For example, the cheapest tickets to Istanbul from North America are around $500-$800 one-way - not that expensive for more than 8,000 km / 5,000 miles route.
Time of travel and time of booking are also significant factors. High demand + low supply = higher fares. If you travel during the peak season (high demand) and book a last-minute flight (low supply - not many tickets left), your flight to Istanbul will be really expensive (expect to pay 2 or 3 times more than the average price!).
The number of carriers that fly to Istanbul from your region also plays a role. Neighboring countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Iran, Georgia) tend to have plenty of flights, not only with large, full-service airlines but also with regional low-cost carriers. Competition is fierce, so prices are low.
Finally, there are oil prices and the fact that airfares are pegged to the US dollar. These factors are passed on to travelers, making your flight ticket even more expensive.
Q: How much is the flight ticket from Europe to Istanbul?
A: The price of your ticket depends on your city of departure, the chosen airline, and the booking period, etc. If booked in advance with a low-cost airline, expect reasonable fares averaging €100 – €200 for one-way, and €200 – €300 for a return ticket from Central/West European airports (Budapest, Prague, Berlin, Vienna, Warsaw).
Q: How much does it usually cost to fly to Istanbul from the USA?
A: The prices of flights from the USA to Istanbul fluctuate and will likely increase closer to your departure date. Assuming you book well in advance, you can find return flights from the USA to Istanbul ranging from $900 to $1200 (departing from the West Coast) and $700 to $1000 (departing from the East Coast).
Q: What is the best airline to fly from the US to Istanbul?
A: Turkish Airlines, Air Canada, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines tend to be the best (most recommended by frequent flyers) among the airlines that operate routes between the US and Turkey.
Q: Which airlines fly directly from the US to Istanbul?
A: Currently, there is only one airline that operates direct/nonstop flights from the US to Istanbul: Turkish Airlines. It flies out from the biggest cities in the US: New York, Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Dallas, and arrives at the Istanbul International Airport.
Q: When is the best time to book flights to Istanbul?
A: Plane tickets usually don’t get cheaper closer to the departure date. Even these reasonably priced flights in the low season sell out quite far ahead of the date of travel. It pays to book your ticket well in advance, as it will give you a good range of flight times and seat selection choices.
The best time to book flights to Istanbul can vary among airlines but the golden time usually falls between 2 months and 6 months before the departure. So, January is the best time to book flights if you want to visit Istanbul during the summer.
User Review
4.77 (1449 votes)Flights to Istanbul
Whether on a vacation of a lifetime or a business trip, flying to Istanbul is not as easy as booking local travel.
Most likely you are looking at a long-haul trip — and every layover will add a few more hours if you choose not to take a direct flight. Choose your airline wisely, by reading the online reviews left by passengers who have already taken a similar route. Always look for their in-flight experience: seats (are they comfy and spacious?), menu (was it delicious with plenty of choices for different tastes and diets?), and the entertainment options available onboard (the quality of screens and headphones, the range of movie/music/tv channels on offer, etc).
If you have specific travel dates, it's worth booking as soon as possible. Leave it too late and you might have to pay almost double the price, especially if you want to fly during school holidays and popular times like New Year's Eve. If you're not yet an Air Traveler Club subscriber, sign up now — we'll send you lots of discounted offers for free. Our members often save $500 or more on flights to Istanbul!
Pros
- Plenty of airlines flying to Istanbul
- Cheap tickets available
- Flight hacks available
Cons
- Long-haul flights can be expensive