
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.
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Arriving in Turkey
- If you are flying to Turkey from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airport — Istanbul
IST
/SWA
, AntalyaAYT
, AnkaraESB
, IzmirADB
, AdanaADA
, and TrabzonTZX
.
These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Turkey. 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 Turkey, take advantage of frequent flights between the major cities via domestic airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, AnadoluJet, Onur Air, and Corendon Airlines. To check flight schedules/prices and to book the tickets, visit their official websites — OTAs and flight search engines often don’t have access to the flight repository of smaller local airlines. They also often fail to update prices in the event of short-lived sales and promotions that airlines run from time to time. To not miss out on these great offers, visit Promo Radar which aggregates current promotions run by popular airlines.
- Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Turkey can be easily reached with low-cost regional airlines (LCCs) by the likes of AirArabia, AirEuropa, AirMalta, AirMoldova, AirSerbia, Croatia Airlines, FlyDubai, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, MEA, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, and UIA.
These budget carriers offer flights from Istanbul Airport, Antalya Airport, and Ankara Airport at lower prices than full-service airlines, and they often fly to smaller airports that big players do not cover. However, the “no-frills” airlines 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). With that in mind, they are a great option to save money if you have a stopover in Turkey and then fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries.

IST
/SWA
, Antalya AYT
, Ankara ESB
, Izmir ADB
, Adana ADA
, Trabzon TZX
, Dalaman DLM
, Bodrum BJV
, Gaziantep GZT
, Kayseri ASR
, Diyarbakir DIY
, Van VAN
, Erzurum ERZ
, Hatay HTY
, Konya KYA
, Ordu OGU
, and Samusn SZF
.
Airlines flying to Turkey | 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, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, 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 |
---|---|
Airlines of Turkey | Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, AnadoluJet, Onur Air, Corendon Airlines, Freebird Airlines, Tailwind Airlines |
Main airports in Turkey | Istanbul International Airport (IST) — Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) — Istanbul Antalya Airport (AYT) — Antalya Esenboğa International Airport (ESB) — Ankara Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) — Izmir Adana Şakirpaşa Airport (ADA) — Adana Trabzon Airport (TZX) — Trabzon Dalaman Airport (DLM) — Dalaman |
Regular price (roundtrip) | ✈ €100 – €200 (from Europe) ✈ $650 – $900 (from USA) |
Flight hacks | 40% — 80% off regular fare |
Official websites | Go Türkiye (official travel website) Visa Information For Foreigners (mfa.gov.tr) Turkey Travel Advice (UK citizens) Turkey Travel Advisory (US citizens) Turkey Travel Advisory (Australian citizens) Turkish Airlines (national airline of Turkey) |
Airline promotions | See ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from February to April |
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 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 Turkey
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 Turkey. 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 Turkey in a different light. You can still enjoy Turkey’s 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 Turkey 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, head to the Red Lane to declare your goods.
Flights to Turkey fromUnited States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Turkey. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Turkey, 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 Turkey. 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.
- Turkey is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Turkey 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 Turkey 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 Turkey, 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.
Turkey from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24
Real-time economy class airfares to Turkey from the US and Canada. Shown are the top three deals for flights departing in the coming months (February to October).
Flight hacking
Hacker faresto Turkey
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 Turkish airports 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 in Turkey, 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 Turkey
Uber is available in Turkey but not everywhere in the country. The app will find you a ride easily in Istanbul, Ankara, Bodrum, Marmaris and Çeşme, however, in most areas outside these cities, 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 the above-mentioned cities. 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 Turkey with stopover
Direct flights to Turkey 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 Turkey. 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 Turkey 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 Turkey 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 Turkey from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Turkey — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Turkey 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 and 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 Turkey 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 Turkey 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 Turkey 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 Turkey
Find the lowest prices for flights to Istanbul Airport, Antalya Airport, and Ankara Airport in Turkey from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.
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Get 40% – 80% off airfares from Europe to Turkey:
Check different departure airports
Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.
For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to Turkey will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.
Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.

Last-minute flights to Turkey. 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 Turkey 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 Turkey is around 60-90 days before the departure date.
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Turkey, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Lost baggage prevention
Avoid lost luggage nightmares by removing old tags on your suitcases. Tags are printed with a barcode for identification and tracking, so the old tags can confuse baggage handlers and the conveyor belt scanners. They are one of the reasons so many bags miss their flight or get misrouted.
Airlines of Turkey
Airlines in Turkey range from high-end carriers to no-frills budget airlines:
Turkish Airlines is Turkey’s flag carrier, certified by Skytrax as a 3-star airline. With its enormous fleet – nearly 400 aircraft – it flies to 120 countries (more than any other airline) and to 40 domestic locations. It is renowned across the airline industry for its high-quality catering (impressive wine selection!), and meals are always included in the price of your ticket. Travelers can take advantage of the airline’s generous free baggage allowance: 23 kg for Economy Class and 32 kg for Business Class.
Pegasus Airlines is a budget carrier. Travelers rate its onboard comfort as satisfactory for short flights. The hand baggage rules are strict, and there is no free baggage allowance even on international routes if you book the ticket in the lowest (Basic) fare class.
SunExpress is a Turkish budget carrier, jointly owned by Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. Frequent travelers give the airline an average rating of 6/10, pointing at the fact that the onboard facilities and service are minimal. On international flights, SunExpress customers are allocated a baggage allowance of 20 to 40 kg, depending on fare class.
When traveling domestically in Turkey, you may be flying with other, smaller local airlines, such as AnadoluJet, Onur Air, Corendon Airlines, Freebird Airlines, and Tailwind Airlines. They usually don’t have any free baggage allowance and serve only free snacks and drinks instead of full meals onboard.
Flights to Turkey from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Turkey. 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 Turkey 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 Turkey with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Turkey are AirArabia, AirEuropa, AirMalta, AirMoldova, AirSerbia, Croatia Airlines, FlyDubai, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, MEA, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, and UIA.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Turkey. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
Prices of flights to Turkey from Australia and New Zealand
Real-time economy class fares to Turkey 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 Turkey:
“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?
Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to Turkey now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Postpay, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.
BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans 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). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.
Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.
Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to Turkey can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.
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 Turkey.
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 Turkey, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed, and your seat will be upgraded.
How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat to Turkey, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.
The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights to Turkey – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.
Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp™), Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Qantas, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).

Fly early in the morning
Early morning flights (6 am or earlier) are usually cheaper than other day schedules. It’s because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Use it to your advantage.
Moreover, airports are also less crowded, and there tend to be fewer delays if you fly early in the morning. Due to increasing air traffic, delays get worse throughout the day – starting around 8-10 am and reaching a peak at 4-6 pm. If you are flying to Turkey with a connecting flight, arriving on time at your layover airport may be critical to catching your next flight!
Flights to Turkey from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- 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 Turkey 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 Turkey 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.
Asian airports with the cheapest flights to Turkey in 2023/24
Find the lowest prices for flights to Turkey from the largest airports in Asia — 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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Get curated deals to Turkey from our flight experts:
Take advantage of loyalty programs
Choose an airline that suits you the best, then stick to it. By becoming a ‘regular’, you will be able to use its loyalty program and earn “miles” (or points) – not only for flying but also for everyday expenses (if your card is affiliated with an airline).
Points earned this way often add up over time and are extremely helpful in flying at reduced fares. Airlines offer not only ticket discounts for their frequent flyers, but also special travel perks such as cabin class upgrades, increased checked baggage allowance, or access to their airport lounges so you can relax during long layovers.
If you often fly with Emirates, opt for Skywards, with Qantas – for Qantas Frequent Flyer, with Singapore Airlines – for KrisFlyer, etc.
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.

How to book a superdeal to Turkey?
Every superdeal you receive from Air Traveler Club includes a link you can use to book a flight. It always directs you to the website that offers the lowest price. Sometimes it’s an airline website; in other cases, Google Flights or a similar flight booking platform.
This video explains how to use Google Flights to book a plane ticket.

Dealing with the jet lag
Jet lag affects people differently depending on age, physical fitness, and genetics. The most accepted rule suggests that you should allow one full day to recover from jet lag for every time zone (hour gained) you traveled east and a number of days equal to half the time zones crossed when you traveled west.
The most effective natural jet lag remedy is to force your body into its new routine. You can begin before getting off the plane: set your watch to the time in Turkey, then do your best to sleep and eat based on the new time zone. Close the window shade when it’s time to simulate darkness. During your first day on the ground in Turkey, get outdoors, stay physically active during the day, and absorb sunlight.
FAQ: Flying to Turkey
Q: What is the cheapest time of year to fly to Turkey?
A: The cheapest time of the year to fly to Turkey tends to be during the low season - November until March. Cold winter weather sees fewer visitors and with low temperatures come low airfares and hotel prices.
Q: Which airport is best to fly into in Turkey?
A: Istanbul International Airport (IST) is the largest and cheapest airport to fly into Turkey. It has the most airlines flying there out of all the airports in the country. Competition between airlines is fierce, therefore you have more chance of getting a cheap flight. Another good option is flying to Esenboğa International Airport (ESB), located in Ankara - if you are planning to visit the capital city.
Q: Can you fly direct from Canada to Turkey?
A: Yes, there are direct (nonstop) flights from Canada to Turkey 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 Turkey so expensive?
A: The flight prices to Turkey 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 Turkey will be really expensive (expect to pay 2 or 3 times more than the average price!).
The number of carriers that fly to Turkey 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 Turkey?
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).
Please note: Air Traveler Club can help you cut these prices by more than half.
Q: How much does it usually cost to fly to Turkey from the USA?
A: The prices of flights from the USA to Turkey 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 Turkey 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 Turkey?
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 Turkey?
A: Currently, there is only one airline that operates direct/nonstop flights from the US to Turkey: 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 Turkey?
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 Turkey 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 Turkey during the summer.
User Review
4.11 (882 votes)Flights to Turkey
Whether on a vacation of a lifetime or a business trip, flying to Turkey 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 Turkey!
Pros
- Plenty of airlines flying to Turkey
- Cheap tickets available
- Flight hacks available
Cons
- Long-haul flights can be expensive