Cheap flights to Istanbul from $936

The city is perched on the Bosphorus Strait and boasts a glorious imperial history. Istanbul has been the capital city of four empires – Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman. Its cultural heritage practically sings from the cobbled stones of the Grand Bazaar where traders and tourists haggle over treasures; in the Aya Sofya (also known as Haghia Sophia, its Greek name), and in the Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi), which was the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years. One of the best ways to experience Istanbul is through the mouth-watering Turkish cuisine. Specialties include mam bayildi (an eggplant and tomato dish, mam bayildi translates as “the priest wept” such is its deliciousness), mercimek corbasi (red lentil soup), kofte (meatballs), testi kebab, borek (a pastry that has hundreds of varieties) and sweet, sticky, syrupy baklava. It would be a waste to take cheap flights to Istanbul and not visit a traditional hamam (bathhouse) or take a ferry trip between Eminönü (Europe) and Anadolu Kavagi (Asia). A European capital of culture in 2010, Istanbul has caught the public imagination. It is an increasingly popular destination for anyone with an appetite for the out of ordinary. Starting with the Blue Mosque, probably the city’s best-known landmark, through the bazaars including the Grand Kapali Carsi and spice, to the magnificence of the Topkapi Palace and the nearby Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Istanbul is no ordinary city. Cap it off with a night cruise of the Bosphorus to see the city from another perspective.

Flight times from Australia to Istanbul, Turkey range from 21h – 36h. The fastest flight has one stop and takes 21h 10m originating from Sydney. Other flights have 2 stops such as the flight from Brisbane which takes 22h 20m or from Melbourne which takes 35h 30m. Other flights may take as long as 42h 30m depending on the length of wait time between stops.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Istanbul, Turkey from Australia. However, you can find some one-stop Istanbul flight deals from several of the major airports. Flights originating in Sydney on Etihad Airways and Brisbane on Virgin Australia both have a stop in Abu Dhabi before arriving in Istanbul. Virgin Australia offers a flight with 2 stops in Sydney and Abu Dhabi from Melbourne to Istanbul while Emirates has a 2 stop flight originating from Brisbane and stopping in Singapore and Dubai before arriving in Istanbul. Finally, Etihad Airways has several flights from Melbourne to Istanbul with stops in Sydney and Abu Dhabi.

Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is about 24-miles from the centre of Istanbul. There are several public transportation options such as HAVAIST and IETT vehicles which can be found at ground level. HAVAIST has a 2-way bus service with 15-minute and 90-minute intervals. Local taxis are also on-hand and there is no difference between day and night fares. Many of the hotels offer private shuttles that will greet you at the airport and transfer both you and your luggage to the hotel doorstep.

Istanbul has everything from historical sites to modern performances and natural beauty to concerts and sports. Some of the more popular and most famous attractions include the Dolmabahce Palace, the Hagia Sophia Museum, and the Suleymaniye Mosque. There are day tours, multi-day tours, and walking tours of many of the historic areas. Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, and the Blue Mosque are all popular landmarks that many visitors like to visit. There are also several museums like the Rahmi M. Koc Museum, Kariye Museum, and Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum that are very attractive to visitors. Of course, there are many shopping experiences available including Istinye Park, Zorlu Center, and Kapali Carsi. Turkish cuisine is available to not only dine on but as part of tours and cultural cooking classes.

You will need to have a passport that is valid for at least 90 days longer than the duration of your visa if a visa is needed. Turkey has an Electronic Visa Application System site that can be accessed via the internet that makes applying for a visa much quicker and more secure than other methods. This method will also tell you right away if you are exempt from needing a Visa. If this is the case, you will still need a valid passport to enter the country.

Several major car-rental companies have desks at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). There are metro, bus and taxi services to the city. There is an express bus service called Havas, which departs every 30 minutes. If you have lots of luggage, take the metro to Aksaray and a taxi from there as it can be tricky negotiating a busy tram otherwise. Walking is the best way to see this beautiful city. Another wonderful way of getting around is to take a ferry or catamaran along the Golden Horn or up the Bosphorus. It’s cheap to travel by public transport. The fast-growing metro system (underground and trains) saves you from the traffic jams, but travelling by tram will give you a great view of Istanbul. There is a comprehensive bus system, however traffic congestion makes it a slow way of getting around. The Akbil electronic transit pass is valid on buses, trams, light rail, funiculars and ferry boats. Dolmuses (shared minibus taxis) are more comfortable than the metropolitan buses and cheaper than taxis. They can be hailed along their route or at a stand. When you board, tell the driver where you are going and find out the cost. For a private yellow taxi, have a hotel call one for you and ensure that the meter is running before you set off.

Istanbul Airport is IST. This code is created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and airlines use IATA codes to identify the departing or arrival airports in the flight routes they service. Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), Bursa Yenişehir Airport (YEI), İzmit Cengiz Topel Airport (KCO), Tekirdag Corlu Airport (TEQ) are some additional IATA codes for airports related to your trip.

Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to Istanbul on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Air China is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to Istanbul.

null is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in Istanbul. One-way flights to null typically cost null, while return flights cost around null.

A return flight to Istanbul will typically cost around $69, however they can be found for as little as $55.

For those looking to save time traveling to Istanbul, Brisbane offers the quickest one-way flight (20 hours 35 minutes).

Yes. Those touching down at Istanbul Airport can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

Yes. Istanbul Airport has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. havalimanına yakın konumda daire is the closest property to Istanbul Airport (0.0 km away from Istanbul Airport).