Travelling from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Kigali International Airport (KGL): what you need to know
Around 7 hours 10 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport.
Kigali's timezone is UTC+2, making Kigali one hour behind Istanbul.
You can choose from ten weekly Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport flights. The 18:35 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest you can take. Turkish Airlines operates the latest service of the day at 19:30.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your IST to KGL 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.
During popular months such as April, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during a peak period in general.
Jetting into Kigali (and then exploring more of Rwanda!) is easy with Turkish Airlines. This popular airline has direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport.
The majority of travellers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines on this route.
If you want to add a stop to your trip, just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport. Here are the top stopovers between IST and KGL:
Dubai Airport
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Kigali International Airport (KGL)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport flight is R 6,524. A round-trip ticket is currently R 10,534. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.
Book seven months before flying. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to find cheap tickets from IST to KGL.
The cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have a flexible schedule.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from IST to KGL by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 50 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Planning to catch public transport? Expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to IST:
Arriving at Kigali International Airport (KGL)
If you're landing on a late Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport flight, few things top the convenience of being near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping shortly after at one of these accommodation options near KGL:
Travel beyond Kigali and head to places that many travellers miss with your own wheels. You can grab a Kigali International Airport rental car from companies like Europcar or Green Motion.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your vehicle from Kigali International Airport around one week before your departure date.
Getting from Kigali International Airport (KGL) to central Kigali
Kigali International Airport to the centre of Kigali has a drive time of about 20 minutes. It's approximately 11 kilometres away.
It takes around 1 hour 55 minutes to get there using public transport.
When to fly to Kigali International Airport (KGL)
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport. January is the busiest month to head to Kigali. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Kigali is August, with the temperature ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kigali International Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from IST to KGL in May. Temperatures average between 14ºC (57ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF) then.
Explore more of Rwanda
Discover the best of Kigali, then continue your journey through other exciting places in Rwanda. Head south-west to Butare, about 80 kilometres away. Ngoma Genocide Memorial and Chapel are ideal first stops here.
Any journey through Rwanda wouldn't feel complete without exploring Gitarama. Muhanga Design centre and Paroisse Saint André Gitarama are just two of the highlights in this well-known destination, which is around 40 kilometres south-west of Kigali.