Flying from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport (KIK): What you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your trip from in Istanbul. Explore your options leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when booking your flight from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport (KIK).
2 hours 35 minutes is the average duration of a direct Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport flight.
Istanbul and Kirkuk (where Kirkuk Air Base Airport is located) share the UTC+3 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch once you arrive.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Kirkuk Air Base Airport (KIK) is the busiest route, with 5 direct services every week. Get from IST to KIK on Turkish Airlines's 6:35am departure.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from Istanbul to KIK.
With more travellers during peak seasons, aim to be at your terminal even earlier. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international trips will allow extra time for delays.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport (KIK) out of Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Iraqi Airways is a well-known carrier that operates direct flights from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport departing from IST.
Iraqi Airways is the airline most travellers choose for flights from IST to KIK.
IST 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 get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get a little more snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
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.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your Istanbul to KIK flight? Check in to a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your trip officially starts. These stays are expecting you:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 76.93%.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport (KIK)
At the moment, R 1,976 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,987. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book one month before flying. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Istanbul to KIK.
Organise your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Istanbul to KIK is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a price drop.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport (KIK)
It's time to work out when to book your flight from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport (KIK). August is the most popular month to visit Kirkuk. If you like your getaways a little more chill, think about going in February.
Lock in an Istanbul to KIK plane ticket departing in July if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Kirkuk to range from 27ºC (81ºF) to 45ºC (113ºF).
January sees temperatures of between 3ºC (37ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Kirkuk Air Base Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
Explore more of Iraq
Kirkuk is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Iraq you should also see. Around 241 kilometres south of Kirkuk, a visit to Baghdad will keep you on the move. Start with popular sights like Al-Kadhimiya Mosque, Great Mosque and Mosque of the Prophet.
Mosul is another well-known destination in Iraq and is around 145 kilometres north-west of Kirkuk. No trip is complete without a visit to Rabban Hormizd Monastery, Al-Hadbaa Tower and Mosque of Prophet Yunus A.S. (Jonah).
