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)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul is about 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to IST if you're taking a late flight from Tehran to Istanbul. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
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.