Istanbul
Istanbul is a city that bridges the gap between Europe and Asia with its beautiful Bosphorus Strait. Your Istanbul trip will be worth mentioning to everyone through all these attractions that’ll catch your breath. Regardless of the weather, Istanbul won’t disappoint you when it comes to charming you. Planning your flight to Istanbul is just one way to start this unforgettable journey.
Tips About Packing and Flying To Istanbul
- Pack light, breathable clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton and linen, especially if visiting in summer. The heat and humidity can be intense.
- Bring layers like a light jacket or sweater as the weather can be unpredictable.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as Istanbul is a very walkable city.
- For visiting mosques, pack clothing that covers shoulders and legs. Women should bring a scarf to cover their heads. Otherwise, you may need to buy a scarf.
- Avoid large, bulky bags when visiting crowded areas like public transportation. Go for a simple, crossbody bag you can keep in front of you.
- Make copies of your passport and keep them separate from the original.
- Check visa requirements for your nationality before traveling.
- Pack a power adapter and converter for European-style two-pin round sockets.
- Bring travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses.
- Take out any liquids and gels in containers larger than 100 ml and place them in a single, clear, sealable plastic bag to scan separately.
- At passport control, have your passport open to the photo page ready to present to the officer.
- The HAVAIST airport shuttle buses run between the airport and central Istanbul every 30 minutes. They depart from outside the arrivals terminal and take about an hour to reach the city center, depending on traffic.
How Many Airports Are There In Istanbul?
There are two international airports in Istanbul:
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
- Istanbul Airport (IST)
Sabiha Gokcen Airport is on the Asian side of Istanbul, around 48 km far from the city center. It is the 9th busiest airport in Europe with over 117 international destinations and 40 domestic destinations.
Istanbul Airport is on the European side of Istanbul, around 40 km far from the city center. Because Istanbul Airport is on the European side, it is closer to the top attractions and it can be more practical for those who want to stay in popular districts. The airport serves more than 45 airlines and has direct flights to over 157 destinations.
How To Go To Istanbul Airports?
- Metro: With few transits, you can reach the city center and airports easily. Use M11 for Istanbul Airport, M4 metro for Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- Shuttle Buses (Havabuses): These airport buses offer rides between Taksim/Kadıköy and Sabiha Gökçen Airport. It roughly takes 1.5 hours to get to the destination.
- Taxi, Uber, or VIP Transfer: If you have lots of luggage it can be bothering to carry all the luggage.
To go to Sabiha Gökçen Airport you can take these public buses:
- Asian side
- E10: Departs from Kadiköy
- E11: Departs from Kadıköy (Express)
- SG1: Departs from Kadıköy (Express)
- 16S: Departs from Üsküdar Harem
- European side
- E3: Departs from 4. Levent Metro (Express)
- 122H: Departs from 4. Levent Metro
- SG2: Departs from Taksim (Express)
To go to Istanbul Airport you can take these buses:
- European side
- H-1: Departs from Mahmutbey Metro (Express)
- H-2: Departs from Mecidiyeköy Metrobus (Express)
How Many Airlines Fly To Istanbul?
In total, 90 airlines are flying from and to Istanbul with more than 300 destinations. Here are some of the popular airlines flying to Istanbul:
- Turkish Airlines
- Pegasus Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Aeroflot
- Air France
- British Airways
- Lufthansa
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Air India
- IndiGo
- Flydubai
How Long Is The Flight To Istanbul?
Here’s a brief table of how long is a flight to Istanbul from all over the world:
Continent | City/Country | Estimated Flight Duration |
Asia | Beijing, China | 8-10 hours |
| Tokyo, Japan | 11-13 hours | |
| Delhi, India | 6-8 hours | |
Africa | Cairo, Egypt | 3-4 hours |
| Johannesburg, South Africa | 8-10 hours | |
| Lagos, Nigeria | 7-9 hours | |
North America | New York City, USA | 10-12 hours |
| Los Angeles, USA | 13-15 hours | |
| Toronto, Canada | 10-12 hours | |
South America | São Paulo, Brazil | 13-15 hours |
| Buenos Aires, Argentina | 15-17 hours | |
| Lima, Peru | 15-17 hours | |
Europe | London, United Kingdom | 3-4 hours |
| Paris, France | 3-4 hours | |
| Berlin, Germany | 3-4 hours | |
Australia | Sydney, Australia | 20-22 hours (with layovers) |
| Melbourne, Australia | 20-22 hours (with layovers) |
How Much Baggage Can I Carry On My Istanbul Flight?
The average luggage weight capacity can depend on the airline. Most airlines allow economy passengers’ luggage to be 15 to 20 kg, business classes can go up to 30 kg. The maximum weight of your luggage can not exceed 40 kg. Most of the time, hand luggage can not weigh more than 8 kg and the acceptable size of hand luggage can change depending on the airline you are flying with.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Istanbul?
The best time to visit Istanbul is during the summer and spring seasons because there won’t be any rainfall or bad weather. For this reason, summer and springs is also the peak season when it comes to visiting Istanbul. However, this means the flight prices will be potentially higher. During fall and winter, the prices will typically drop.
Average Annual Rainfall and Temperature in Istanbul
Month | Average Temperature (°C) | Average Temperature (°F) | Average Rainfall (mm) | Average Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.0°C | 42.9°F | 88 mm | 3.5 in |
| February | 6.5°C | 43.8°F | 75 mm | 3.0 in |
| March | 8.5°C | 47.3°F | 73.8 mm | 2.9 in |
| April | 14.5°C | 58.1°F | 68.7 mm | 2.7 in |
| May | 20.4°C | 68.7°F | 61.2 mm | 2.4 in |
| June | 25.0°C | 77.0°F | 54.5 mm | 2.1 in |
| July | 27.0°C | 80.6°F | 26.0 mm | 1.0 in |
| August | 26.6°C | 79.9°F | 34.4 mm | 1.4 in |
| September | 22.7°C | 72.9°F | 51.0 mm | 2.0 in |
| October | 17.7°C | 63.9°F | 87.0 mm | 3.4 in |
| November | 12.0°C | 53.6°F | 100.0 mm | 3.9 in |
| December | 8.2°C | 46.8°F | 113.0 mm | 4.4 in |
Places To See In Istanbul
Here are some of the must-visit best Istanbul attractions you shouldn’t miss during your trip:
- Basilica Cistern: An underground water reservoir built in the 6th century, featuring columns and atmospheric lighting.
- Istiklal Avenue: A bustling pedestrian street lined with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings, and a popular spot for shopping and entertainment.
- Grand Bazaar: One of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, with over 4,000 shops selling jewelry, textiles, spices, and more.
- Prince's Island: A group of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, known for their beaches, pine forests, and tranquility.
- Gulhane Park: A historical green space near Topkapi Palace, with walking paths, gardens, and a café
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