Travelling from Istanbul to Frankfurt: what you need to know
Istanbul has two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Check out your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt flying out of Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
When planning your arrival in Frankfurt, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN) are the primary gateways.
Around 3 hours 20 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Istanbul to Frankfurt flight.
Frankfurt's timezone is UTC+1, making Frankfurt two hours behind Istanbul.
With 47 weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is the most popular route. Hop on the earliest flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt with Turkish Airlines at 03:55. If you'd like to make the most of your day before taking off, the latest flight from IST to FRA is with Turkish Airlines at 20:55.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your Istanbul to Frankfurt flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak month such as April? Public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Frankfurt
Currently, R 731 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Frankfurt. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,208. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To snag cheap Istanbul to Frankfurt flights, reserve your journey one month before your departure.
Organise your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring an incredible deal on plane tickets from Istanbul to Frankfurt. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you the moment a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Istanbul to Frankfurt.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Istanbul to Frankfurt flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Start your journey at IST and come in for landing at Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
Reserve your Istanbul to Frankfurt plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This carrier is a top pick for direct flights from IST.
We make it a cinch to book an Istanbul to Frankfurt flight with a stopover. To see all the options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Nis Constantine the Great Airport (INI)
Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG)
Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO)
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
In search of a convenient hotel near Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt, these stays will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Prefer to fly from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? This hub offers nonstop flights from Istanbul to Frankfurt, seamlessly connecting to Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
From SAW, you can book a direct Istanbul to Frankfurt plane ticket with AJet.
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Istanbul to Frankfurt flight. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever you want to do, here's where you can stop between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Frankfurt:
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY)
With 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.
You're off on holiday, so why not spend another night away? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance of 76.93%. This figure provides insight into how often flights that take off from this airport reach their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is approximately 11 kilometres from the centre of Frankfurt. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 20 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes about 35 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt. Reserve one of these accommodation options near FRA instead:
Follow your own route with a Frankfurt Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Wheego, Alamo or OK Mobility and discover more of Frankfurt and beyond.
For the best deal, reserve your ride from Frankfurt Airport around three weeks in advance of your Istanbul to Frankfurt flight.
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
The centre of Frankfurt is about 105 kilometres from Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN). As soon as your flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 1 hour 30 minutes.
The trip will take about 2 hours 40 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt, tuck yourself in at a hotel near HHN. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Frankfurt - Hahn Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Flex To Go, Alamo or Keddy By Europcar and set off in the blink of an eye.
Lock in the best price by reserving your ride from HHN four weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Frankfurt
January is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Frankfurt, while April is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to go to Frankfurt based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Istanbul to Frankfurt tickets, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Frankfurt, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
January has average temperatures of between -4ºC (25ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF). Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Frankfurt around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Frankfurt
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Frankfurt right here. Browse these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Istanbul to Frankfurt:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Palmengarten, Goethe House and Frankfurt Cathedral are major attractions which should be on any good Frankfurt itinerary.
Explore more of Germany
Frankfurt is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Germany you should also see. Around 418 kilometres north-east of Frankfurt, a visit to Berlin will keep your itinerary busy. Start with attractions like Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall Memorial and East Side Gallery.
Around 386 kilometres north of Frankfurt, Hamburg is another favourite stop in Germany. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Miniatur Wunderland, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Port of Hamburg.
