Travelling from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport (DOH): What you need to know
There are two main airports you can fly out of in Istanbul. Check out your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when organising your flight from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport (DOH).
The average time for a direct Istanbul to Hamad International Airport flight is 4 hours 15 minutes.
Hamad International Airport is located in Doha. The city's timezone is UTC+3 — the same as Istanbul.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Hamad International Airport (DOH) is the most popular route. There are 30 direct departures a week to pick from. If you have plans before you fly, take the last flight with Turkish Airlines at 8:30pm. Choose the first IST to DOH departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 12:35am if you'd rather not wait around.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Istanbul to DOH. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid sprinting to your gate.
Peak season means busier airports, so be there even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for an international journey to keep to your schedule.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Take the express route from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport (DOH) operate from here.
You can get away on a direct flight from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport with Qatar Airways. This top airline operates services from IST.
The preferred airline for passengers flying between IST and DOH is Qatar Airways.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and possibly even tour another city. When searching for cheap flights from Istanbul to DOH leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to find all potential stops. Top options include:
Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a convenient hotel near Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
You can book a direct Istanbul to Hamad International Airport (DOH) plane ticket out of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). See if flying from SAW works better for your plans.
Qatar Airways has direct flights from Istanbul to DOH departing from SAW. Book your favourite window (or aisle) seat and get to your destination in a single stretch.
On the SAW to DOH route, Qatar Airways is the preferred choice for many passengers.
Fly with Pegasus for the most punctual service. Its flights between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Hamad International Airport touch down as scheduled 84.29% of the time.
Make the most of your trip with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport. Here's where you can connect between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and DOH:
Adana Sakirpasa Airport (ADA)
Trabzon Airport (TZX)
Erbil International Airport (EBL)
SAW is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take you 55 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Istanbul to DOH flight, unwind in one of these hotels close to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
76.93% of all departures from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport make it to their destination as expected.
About Hamad International Airport (DOH)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your luggage at baggage claim and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near DOH:
Grab a Hamad International Airport rental car and explore Doha and beyond with your own wheels. SAFETY RENT A CAR, Alamo and Budget are well-known companies you can book with here.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your vehicle around one week ahead of your Istanbul to Hamad International Airport flight.
Getting from Hamad International Airport (DOH) to central Doha
Hamad International Airport is around 8 kilometres from central Doha. How long it'll take to get to the centre by car hire or cab depends on the time of day. Do some research before your trip.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 40 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Currently, R 1,810 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 3,696. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To snap up cheap flights from Istanbul to DOH, book your plane ticket 11 months before your departure date.
The best month for landing cheap Istanbul to Hamad International Airport tickets is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
There's no need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a new deal shows up on plane tickets from Istanbul to DOH.
Bag the best deal on a flight from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Think about your travel style when planning your trip dates. April is the quietest month to visit Doha. August is when most people book flights from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport (DOH), which may be ideal if you're chasing more action.
The warmest month in Doha is July, with temperatures ranging between 31ºC (88ºF) and 42ºC (108ºF). Book your Istanbul to DOH plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport in January when temperatures are between 14ºC (57ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF).
More about Doha
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Hamad International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Doha:
You'll find plenty of fantastic things to do in Doha when you're ready to see the sights. Head straight for Museum of Islamic Art followed by Souq waqif and Souq Waqif.
Explore more of Qatar
Continue your adventure and experience more of Qatar. Abū az̧ Z̧ulūf is around 105 kilometres north-west of Doha and has plenty of things to keep you busy, including Abu Dhalouf Beach.