Cheap Flights from Istanbul to Bucharest

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

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Flight deals from Istanbul to Bucharest

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

Find the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Bucharest

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

Direct flights from Istanbul to Bucharest

Alternative Istanbul to Bucharest routes

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

Istanbul to Bucharest: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundR 453
Cheapest month to flyJuly
Average flight time1 hr, 24 mins
Most popular airlineTAROM
Average flights per week87

Finding cheap flights from Istanbul to Bucharest: Frequently asked questions

There's one airport in Bucharest: Bucharest Otopeni.
The best price we found for a return flight from Istanbul to Bucharest is R 1,982. 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.
1 hour and 23 minutes is the average flight time from Istanbul to Bucharest.
TAROM, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines fly direct from Istanbul to Bucharest.
As of May 2025, there are 87 flights per week flying from Istanbul to Bucharest.
The cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Bucharest is usually May 2025.
If you're flying from Istanbul, the cheapest airport near Bucharest is Bucharest Otopeni – which is 14.8 km away from the centre of Bucharest. We've found flights into this airport from R 1,982.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Istanbul to Bucharest on Monday, 10 November 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 23 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In May, the average temperature is usually around 18°C. July is typically the warmest month in Bucharest, when it usually averages around 31°C. You can expect the least rain in February. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging -5°C. The rainiest month is June.
The cheapest airline that flies to Bucharest is Pegasus Airlines .

Flying from Istanbul to Bucharest: what you need to know

  • Istanbul is home to a couple of airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Bucharest departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).

  • Come in for landing at Bucharest's primary gateway, Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP).

  • Around 1 hour 20 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Istanbul to Bucharest flight.

  • Bucharest is one hour behind Istanbul and follows the UTC+2 timezone.

  • With 36 flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Istanbul to Bucharest with Turkish Airlines at 06:50. If you prefer to make the most of your day before you fly, the last flight from IST to OTP is with TAROM at 23:15.

  • For a relaxed travel experience, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Istanbul to Bucharest flight.

  • Flying over a peak time like April? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.

How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Bucharest

  • The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Bucharest is R 453. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 1,982. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.

  • Score cheap Istanbul to Bucharest flights by booking eight months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding the biggest deals.

  • The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Bucharest is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates that offer the lowest fares.

  • Save time searching for cheap flights from Istanbul to Bucharest by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.

  • Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Istanbul to Bucharest flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'

Flying from Istanbul

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Bucharest leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Start your trip at IST and land at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP).

  • Look out for promotions with Turkish Airlines. This carrier offers direct Istanbul to Bucharest plane tickets out of IST.

  • Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for Istanbul to Bucharest flights departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:

    • Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)

    • Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)

    • Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG)

  • IST is about 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.

  • Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Istanbul to Bucharest or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Prefer to fly from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? This hub offers direct flights from Istanbul to Bucharest, seamlessly connecting you to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP).

  • From SAW, you can book a direct Istanbul to Bucharest plane ticket with Pegasus.

  • Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Istanbul to Bucharest flight. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these options between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Bucharest:

    • Sofia Airport (SOF)

    • Tirana International Airport (TIA)

    • Antalya Airport (AYT)

  • Using public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 31 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 55 minutes.

  • It's your holiday, so why not spend an extra night away from home? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Bucharest:

  • Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance of 76.93%. This figure gives an insight into how often flights that take off from this airport land on schedule.

Arriving in Bucharest

Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)

  • Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) to central Bucharest takes around 35 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 16 kilometres away.

  • When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 35 minutes.

  • The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Istanbul to Bucharest. Reserve one of these accommodation options near OTP instead:

  • Travel at your own pace with a Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Klass Wagen, Pricecarz or Surprice and chase adventure across Bucharest and beyond.

  • Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport about one week before your trip.

Best time to go to Bucharest

  • July is the busiest month for flights from Istanbul to Bucharest. To avoid the crowds, head to Bucharest in April.

  • Lock in an Istanbul to Bucharest ticket departing in August if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Bucharest to range from 17ºC (63ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).

  • Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Bucharest in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -9ºC (16ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF) on average.

More about Bucharest

  • Start your Bucharest trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Istanbul to Bucharest, check out our range of hotels including:

  • Museum of the Palace of the Parliament and Old Town are just two of the major attractions to put on your Bucharest itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Herastrau Park.

Explore more of Romania

  • Iasi is just one of the many cities in Romania waiting to be discovered once you've seen Bucharest. Around 322 kilometres to the north, popular attractions include Palace of Culture, Saint Nicholas Church and Golia Monastery.

  • If you're ready to explore another major destination in Romania, head for Cluj-Napoca, roughly 322 kilometres north-west of Bucharest. St. Michael's Church, Hoia Baciu Forest and Banffy Palace are key highlights.

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