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Everything you should know

Direct flights
You can fly direct with Turkish Airlines, Air Montenegro, and others. Average duration is 5h 06m.
FAQs
FAQs
Top airlines
Most flights • 38 per week
Best reviews • 7.6 score
Airline reviews
+1
Airline reviews
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 19 weeks in advance save around 39% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 15% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Istanbul!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Istanbul

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to Istanbul

Multiple Airlines Logo
DXB  Dubai Airport-TR5 Treorchy Treherbert
4823 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
TR5  Treorchy Treherbert-DXB Dubai Airport
4823 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Multiple Airlines Logo
AUH  Abu Dhabi Airport-TR5 Treorchy Treherbert
4839 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
TR5  Treorchy Treherbert-AUH Abu Dhabi Airport
4839 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for flights to Istanbul

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Istanbul?

Thursday is the cheapest day to fly to Istanbul at AED 1,381 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Saturday is the most expensive at AED 1,528.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Istanbul?

•October is the cheapest month to fly to Istanbul with an average price of AED 1,164 return.
•May (AED 2,204) and March (AED 1,535) are the most expensive.
•Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Istanbul?

Night flights to Istanbul are the cheapest at AED 1,293 return on average. Afternoon flights are the most expensive at AED 1,924.

When are flights to Istanbul the cheapest?

Flights to Istanbul are cheapest 19 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 39% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for flights to Istanbul

Low season

March
Beat the crowds with an average 8% drop in traveller numbers.

When to book flights to Istanbul

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Istanbul based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Flights to Istanbul: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travellers who flew to Istanbul 
FarahFlew with Turkish Airlines-Feb 2025
Take the earlier flight - night flights tend to have more delay and arrive at a more uncomfortable time
MohamadFlew with Turkish Airlines-Jun 2024
Be at the airport 3 hours before the departure

Your questions about flights to Istanbul, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • How do I know if a flight to Istanbul is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to Istanbul is around AED 1,046 return. This fare is in the lowest 25% of return flight prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • Which airports serve Istanbul?

    Flights to Istanbul arrive at: Istanbul (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW).

  • How expensive are last-minute flights to Istanbul?

    Last-minute fares to Istanbul (booked within two weeks of departure) are typically 18% higher than the average return fare of AED 1,367.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at Istanbul?

    Turkish Airlines operates the most flights from the United Arab Emirates to Istanbul at 38 per week, while Pegasus Airlines is the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from the United Arab Emirates to Istanbul. The two are often different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

  • Which airlines should I consider for flights to Istanbul?

  • Which airports serve Istanbul and the surrounding area?

    Flights to Istanbul can arrive at several major airports serving the metro area, including Istanbul (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW).

Your guide to booking Istanbul flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For the best chance at a low fare to Istanbul, book around 19 weeks before departure. Based on KAYAK data from the last 12 months, fares are historically about 39% lower during this window than last-minute fares.
  • For flights to Istanbul, a good return fare is around AED 1,046. If you find a fare below that, you're getting a strong deal.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, consider flying to Istanbul in October. Return fares historically average AED 1,164, making October the cheapest month to travel based on KAYAK data from the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to evening to save up to AED 632 on a return flight. Evening flights to Istanbul average AED 1,293 compared to AED 1,924 for midday flights.
  • Bag allowances vary by airline, fare type, cabin class, and route. On flights to Istanbul, some airlines may include bags at no extra cost. For example, Pegasus Airlines includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, Ajet includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, and Air Arabia includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class. Always check the fare details before booking, since bag policies can change by ticket type.
  • Once you arrive in Istanbul, a few great places to start are Taksim Square, Fatih Camii, and Tuyap Fairs and Congress Center. These are popular with first-time visitors and can give you a good feel for the area.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to Istanbul

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Istanbul? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.6
Air ArabiaOverall score based on 55 reviews
7.7Boarding
6.7Food
5.5Entertainment
8.0Crew
7.3Comfort
Airline reviews

Much better seats on Airbus 321. Food prices are very reasonable.

8.0 ExcellentKrzysztof, Jan 2026
Read more Air Arabia reviews

Much better seats on Airbus 321. Food prices are very reasonable.

My flight BKK–SHJ–TBS was changed, and I was notified only by an email that went into my spam folder. I found out only 1 day before the flight when I checked in online. The new flight had a 15-hour layover in SHJ and arrived in TBS 1 day later than my original plan. I needed to adjust my plan urgently and lost the cost of one hotel night because the free cancellation period was over.

My flight BKK-SHJ-TBS was changed and I was notified only by email which went into spam folder. I found out only 1 day before the flight when I checked in online. The new flight had a 15-hour layover in SHJ and arrived in TBS 1 day later than my original plan! I needed to adjust the plan urgently and lost the cost of one hotel night because the free cancellation period was over.

The flight was slightly delayed because of change of plane but informed beforehand. Flight was very good and comfortable

Superb like always. On time and quite comfortable. Only thing is that the arrival movement was by bus.

We were boarded by bus. That was a bit of pain.

Food options were limited and crew ran out of some options before all are served

The first segment from Atlanta to Abu Dhabi was fantastic, but we got downgraded to a different aircraft from Abu Dhabi to Delhi. We were supposed to be on a flatbed business class when we booked it but just about one week before travel, we were changed to A321 Neo, which just has old-fashioned business class seats that recline but don’t go flat. No TV either. While I fully understand that sometimes these changes have to be made for operational reasons, but I asked for some credit or compensation for that and I did not get any anywhere with that

I bought a full price ticket for business class on kayak and my seat selection was not Included, I had to pay more and WiFi for example was not Included in my seat. My travel companion who bought his ticket for the same business class price had these features included in his ticket therefore I am not happy with my purchase via kayak.

Good could be better. Crew is good but not great. Not much snack options for kids. Bathrooms were not cleaned on time

The crew were really bad mannered! And spoiled all my mood throughout the flight!

One of the bags was damaged the offer from the airline wasn’t enough to buy another bag. Can you look into the case please case reference 2007025965730

The cabin crew were kind, helpful, and polite. However, my flight from Abu Dhabi to Frankfurt was delayed, causing me to miss my connecting flight. As a result, my journey was significantly extended, leading to a much longer travel time than originally scheduled.

Maybe some more information as to why the flight got delayed I understand may be tell your customers that missiles were fired at a specific airport wouldn't be reassuring to the customers and would cause mayhem but something like recent events have cause a delay on your flight or smth

They lost the baggage and said it was deleted from the system. I had baggage tag so was able to file the complaint but there was no PIR number and update so far

I booked tickets for a family of five and specifically paid extra to select our seats together. We spent nearly $1,000 extra (around $100 per seat) for extra legroom so we could sit near each other. However, despite paying for this, we ended up being separated on the flight. This caused a major issue for our family because my parents do not speak English and rely on me to translate and assist them during the journey. I do not understand why Etihad changed our reserved seats without explanation. I am extremely dissatisfied with this experience. I expect the airline to do better, and I am requesting a full refund for the seat selection fees we paid.

Check in, was fine, boarding was good, we left on time, punctual flight, aircraft condition was also good, Boeing 737-600 , all went well, I did not expect more or any better

Flight changed and cancelled several times over the months in advance that I booked it. However, actual flight went well, no delays, spacious seats. Had some landing issues but otherwise, fine. Also loved that they don’t check weight of luggage!

Seats are disaster, not comfortable at all. With my height 183 cm there were no space for my legs... The airplane was Turkish airlines and no entertainment on board.

Bad. Cancelled and delayed flight. Payed 25£ for seat but got just normal one. No one refunded the money.

I resent being called a ‘guest’ of Pegasus airlines and then they refuse to give me water, because they want to sell it to me. Also, the baggage allowances are ridiculously stingy. I also resent the way staff are on the look out to catch passengers out. I would never dream of treating my ‘guests’ like Pegasus treats us.

Great flight and great crew. Many thanks to them for their hard work making our trip so relaxing.

The plane was too hot inside. There was no entertainment and we had to sit on the plane for one hour before takeoff. There was no free wifi.

Online check-in was unavailable for my flight. So I waited 40 min in the queue at the check-in counter. Then, unlike any other airline in the world (and I am a very frequent international flyer) Pegasus was adamant that my CPAP was just another carry on and that I had to pay extra for it. Then, after I had paid in advance for a seat, they insisted I could not sit in an exit row because I was over 60 years old (I'm clearly in good shape and buy exit row seats more or less weekly). We pushed back harder and harder and insisted on talking to the station chief, who spoke with the counter staff by phone (not to me) and eventually relented. Experience on boarf was ok-- for a budget airline.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGVSRsasQcG/?igsh=dmkxa2s1eHNlbHZs

The airport staff were some of the worst I've ever flown, and I fly at least 50x every year. From the staff at the gate, to the check in staff, to the ticketing sales staff. My experience in Instanbul was so bad Ill.never fly Pegasus again. They were incredibly rude, dismissive and not helpful whatsoever. This is the worst of the worst if you want to fly a budget airline I'd go elsewhere. The airplane seats are really uncomfortable and don't recline at all, you get charged for every single thing so in the end you will pay more flying with them. The crew on the plane were the only kind people we encountered with Pegasus.

The crew were outstandingly kind and cheerful. We carried our cat and they offered help.

Late departure. No announcements. Boarding was a disaster. Some kind of technical issue scanning boarding passes.

It was like moving cattle around. Very abrupt, uncomfortable and not much hospitality

All good but air not give the pasing er any food even glase of water

Food 930 am flight they serve lunch !! In other flight 11 am flight they serve breakfast Crew behavior is bad also overall

Kayak offered terrible customer service. The 2nd of 3 flights were cancelled and it took me an hour on the phone to try to cancel the other 2. I had to call back later to get someone to assist. I was calling internationally and an already stressful situation was made worse.

If the flight was full I would have been more uncomfortable as the space was small. The seat in front of me was very close, I wear transition lenses and it was too close for a comfortable viewing experience. The foot room was not the best either. The row was empty so I had shoulder width space. The foot space in my opinion could be better, I am just 6ft tall, medium built and found the space mediocre. The AC on the flight could have been cooler. We were delaed on the tarmac and the air con was warm. Even in the air, it could have been cooler. Apart from that excellent service crew, we were delayed on the tarmac and water was offered to us which was of good temperature. The snacks offered were acceptable. Thanks for a safe and smooth journey.

Boarding from T3 is a nightmare for the transfer to the aircraft.

BEST air crew in the industry and service delivery takes it to the next level from great to AMAZING!!!

The timing for this flight is really odd.. at 4.45AM If it was 1AM or 8AM it would be great. I guess its probably for European connecting flights with Emirates? Anyway, for a budget airline, the business class product in FlyDubai is quite decent. You even get Champagne, although 4AM is an off time to have it. The Throne seat for me while is great for privacy, sleeping isn't great for the foot extension. This flight is great for me due to its direct nature but if Emirates did it, I would choose that.

The quality is worse and worse , this business ticket pricing is overpriced !!!!

The Plane was very small.. domestic route will perfect not international

Very helpful and welcoming crew, good food in fair quantities, enough space for the legs. Surprisingly good quality for a "lowcoster".

Boarding was almost an hour late but there was no communication. Cabin crew did nothing to ensure people kept masks on and even with seat belt sign on people were wondering around the plane.

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