Cheap Flights from Tehran to Istanbul

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Compare Tehran to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

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Flight deals from Tehran to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Tehran to Istanbul? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Tehran to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Tehran to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in May.

Direct flights from Tehran to Istanbul

Alternative Tehran to Istanbul routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Tehran to Istanbul? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Tehran to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$229
Cheapest month to flyMay
Average flight time3 hrs, 29 mins
Most popular airlineTurkish Airlines
Average flights per week177

Finding cheap flights from Tehran to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.
The best price we found for a return flight from Tehran to Istanbul is $229. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
3 hours and 29 minutes is the average flight time from Tehran to Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and AJet fly direct from Tehran to Istanbul.
As of March 2025, there are 708 flights per week flying from Tehran to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Tehran to Istanbul is usually March 2025.
If you're flying from Tehran, the cheapest airport near Istanbul is Istanbul Sabiha – which is 30.3 km away from the centre of Istanbul. We've found flights into this airport from $229.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Tehran to Istanbul on Friday, 2 May 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 3 hours and 29 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In March, the average temperature is usually around 8°C. August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is December.
The cheapest airline that flies to Istanbul is Pegasus Airlines .

Flying from Tehran to Istanbul: what you need to know

  • Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is Tehran's main airport. Check out your options for booking a flight from Tehran to Istanbul departing from here.

  • Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's primary gateways.

  • A direct flight from Tehran to Istanbul takes an average of 3 hours 19 minutes. The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, making it 30 minutes behind Tehran.

  • With 125 flights a week between the two airports, Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Tehran to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines at 01:40. If you prefer to get more out of your day before flying, the latest flight from IKA to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 23:05.

  • For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your flight from Tehran to Istanbul.

  • You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months such as July and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.

  • You can travel to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes without a visa if you hold a passport from Iran. But before booking your cheap flight from Tehran to Istanbul, make sure you have the latest information. Visa rules can change, and you may require some travel documentation if your trip is for work or another reason.

Flying from Tehran

Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)

  • You can reserve a direct flight from Tehran to Istanbul taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA). Board your plane at IKA, and then land at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).

  • These are some of the well-known carriers offering direct flights from Tehran to Istanbul taking off from IKA:

  • We make it a piece of cake to find a flight from Tehran to Istanbul with a stopover. To see your options departing from Imam Khomeini International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Major stopovers include:

    • Esenboga International Airport (ESB)

    • Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)

    • Dubai Airport (DXB)

  • To get to IKA from central Tehran, it takes about 1 hour if you're travelling by car. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 56 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.

  • If you're taking an early flight from Tehran to Istanbul, why not stay close by? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra sleep) at Remis Hotel. Rexan Hotel is another convenient option near Imam Khomeini International Airport.

Arriving in Istanbul

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Central Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Tehran to Istanbul has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 57 minutes.

  • You can also opt for public transport, which typically takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.

  • There are some comfortable stays to drop your things at near SAW. Kick back after your flight from Tehran to Istanbul at any of these well-located options:

How to find the cheapest flights from Tehran to Istanbul

  • The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Tehran to Istanbul is $121. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $229. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.

  • Book 8 months before you want to travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from Tehran to Istanbul.

  • April is the cheapest month for flight tickets from Tehran to Istanbul. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.

  • Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll be notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of looking for cheap tickets from Tehran to Istanbul every day.

  • Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Tehran to Istanbul.

Best time to go to Istanbul

  • February is the quietest month for flights from Tehran to Istanbul, while August is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.

  • Schedule your flight from Tehran to Istanbul for August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.

  • Look for cheap tickets from Tehran to Istanbul in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.

More about Istanbul

  • Once you've booked your flight from Tehran to Istanbul, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:

  • All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are essential stops on your Istanbul itinerary.

Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental

  • Finding you a cheap flight from Tehran to Istanbul isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and have more freedom to explore. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.