Travelling from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Cardiff Airport is located in Cardiff. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is three hours ahead of Cardiff.
Allow plenty of time to get on your CWL to Istanbul flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at security and check-in are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. A good general rule for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
We make it a breeze to book flight tickets from CWL to Istanbul with a stopover. To see all your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Travelling from central Cardiff to CWL takes about 1 hour 5 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
In search of a hotel close to CWL? If you're catching an early flight from Cardiff Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Cardiff Airport, 66.16% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to Istanbul
R 2,010 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Cardiff Airport to Istanbul flight. A return flight ticket right now is R 4,762. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares could change.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to land cheap flights from CWL to Istanbul if you book early. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird discounts.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Cardiff Airport to Istanbul across the month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Picking up a cheap flight from CWL to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you as soon as a better deal is available.
Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Cardiff Airport to Istanbul by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 50 minutes.
It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
If you have a late flight from Cardiff Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Get your adventure underway by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's usual tourist stops.
Reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from CWL to Istanbul can help you lock in the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. Once you've disembarked your flight from Cardiff Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
There are some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near SAW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your CWL to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and be off and running.
Snap up the best price by reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Visit Istanbul in peak season if you prefer a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Cardiff Airport to Istanbul in the low season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
Before locking in your Cardiff Airport to Istanbul flight ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from CWL to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Cardiff Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of accommodation options including:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just a couple of the big attractions to add to your Istanbul to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another must-experience destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without seeing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.