Travelling from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Around 3 hours 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Istanbul is two hours ahead of Frankfurt and is in the UTC+3 timezone.
Flights from FRA to IST start from 07:15 — the first with Turkish Airlines. The last service of the day is at 22:00 with Turkish Airlines. Overall, there are 405 weekly Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your FRA to IST flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid a last-minute sprint to the gate.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months like April. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
Lufthansa has direct flights from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to check out the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if you have time.
The airline that tops the list for bookings on this route is Lufthansa.
If you'd like to break up your flight, just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. These are the most popular stopovers between FRA and IST:
Nuremberg Airport
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport
Franjo Tudman Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight is R 1,791. A round-trip ticket is currently R 3,499. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.
Score cheap tickets from FRA to IST by booking at least 11 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
The cheapest month for flights from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have a flexible schedule.
Snapping up cheap flights from FRA to IST is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
67.47% of flights that leave from Frankfurt Airport land at their destination on schedule.
To reach Frankfurt Airport from central Frankfurt, it'll take around 20 minutes if you're planning to drive. This depends on traffic though. It's approximately 14 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
You can expect a journey time of roughly 35 minutes when using public transport.
Taking an early flight from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these stays near FRA:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Follow your own route with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead can help you get the best possible rate.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 50 minutes to drive to the centre.
It takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes if you're using public transport.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The quietest month for a flight from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is February, while April is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Istanbul based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.
When reserving your flight from Frankfurt Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from FRA to IST in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've seen Istanbul, now it's time to explore other parts of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its top sights. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.
