Cheap flights to Istanbul

How long is the flight to Istanbul?

There are at least five New Zealand airports offering flights to Istanbul. Journey times vary depending on whether they are destined for Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). For example, departures from Auckland International Airport (AKL) to Istanbul Airport only last about 26h 35min, but those to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen generally have minimum durations of 33h 45min. Flights from Christchurch Airport (CHC) and Wellington Airport (WLG) also follow this pattern. From the former, travel times to Istanbul Airport are approximately 30h, and to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen, it’s close to 34h. From Wellington, you should expect journeys lasting around 32h 30min and 33h 45min to the respective airports in the Turkish city.

Are there direct flights to Istanbul?

Unfortunately, direct flights from New Zealand to Istanbul are not currently available. You can get one-stop flights from Auckland and Christchurch, with connections via Singapore, to Istanbul Airport, lasting about 29h 35min and 29h 55min respectively. One-stop flights connecting through Dubai to the same airport are also possible from Auckland, with travel times of around 27h. The better Istanbul flight deals with two connections depart from Christchurch, via Auckland and Singapore, to Istanbul Airport, and these last approximately 29h 45min. Comparable times are available from Auckland (roughly 30h 35min via Kuala Lumpur and Dubai), with departures from Wellington and Dunedin Airport (DUD) connecting at Christchurch and Singapore lasting about 32h 30min. There’s flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, all with the same flight time of roughly 33h 45min via Kuala Lumpur and Dubai.

How do you get from Istanbul Airport to the city centre?

From Istanbul Airport, Istanbul, your travel options are airport taxi, car hire, hotel or airport shuttle as well as Uber rideshare, which should take about 35min to reach Sirkeci Railway Station downtown. Public transport is available via IETT and Havaist buses from the airport complex with connections to the Istanbul metro, but these journeys usually last a minimum of 2h 30min and are not convenient with heavy luggage. Similar travel options pertain to travel from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen to the city centre. Taxis, car hire, airport and hotel shuttles in addition to Uber offer transport times of around 35min to Central Istanbul. Combinations of IETT bus and Istanbul metro take approximately 2h 40min, but if you consider ferry rides as part of your journey, travel time is reduced to about 2h.

What are some things to do in Istanbul?

Istanbul (or Constantinople, as it has been known since antiquity) is unquestionably one of the world’s most remarkable cities. Straddling both sides of Bosporus Strait, Istanbul has always been the dividing line between the continents of Europe and Asia. This unique geography lies at the heart of its famous historical and religious narratives. Modern-day Istanbul is an interesting city to explore, especially at night when the illuminated minarets of Hagia Sophia compel you to pause in admiration. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a central attraction in a city full of wonders, and millions flock here each year just for a glimpse. No one should visit Istanbul without trying Turkish coffee or mint tea. Try one of the many cafes, and the Mediterranean cuisine is just as famous and popular. Meatballs, shish kebabs and rice are among the most common foods, and baklava commonly regarded as the definition of Turkish delight.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Istanbul?

New Zealanders with current passports do not require a visa to visit Istanbul, Turkey and can stay up to three months.