Travelling from Istanbul to Los Angeles: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can take off from in Istanbul. Explore your options leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) when reserving your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are Los Angeles's primary gateways.
Book a direct Istanbul to Los Angeles flight and you'll be flying for an average of 13 hours 50 minutes.
Los Angeles's timezone is UTC-8, which makes Los Angeles 11 hours behind Istanbul.
With 15 flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Airport (IST) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles with Turkish Airlines at 08:00. If you prefer to get more out of your day before flying, the latest flight from IST to LAX is with Turkish Airlines at 18:40.
Give yourself enough time to get on your Istanbul to Los Angeles flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak time such as August? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles
Lock in cheap Istanbul to Los Angeles flights by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the best month for landing great bargains on plane tickets from Istanbul to Los Angeles. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Save on your Istanbul to Los Angeles flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles, you can leave from Istanbul Airport (IST). Fly from IST to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in one seamless trip.
Reserve your Istanbul to Los Angeles plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This carrier is a top choice for direct flights from IST.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing Istanbul to Los Angeles flights leaving from Istanbul Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a taxi, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to Istanbul Airport:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Break up your Istanbul to Los Angeles flight with a stop so you can recharge or tick a new place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Istanbul Sabiha Airport and Los Angeles are:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL)
With public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 31 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 5 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not spend an extra night away? Consider checking in to one of these hotels near Istanbul Sabiha Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport has an on-time performance rate of 68%. This figure gives an insight into how often flights departing from this airport land at their destination on time.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles is approximately 19 kilometres. It'll take you about 35 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 1 hour to get there on public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near LAX:
Pick up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car and discover Los Angeles and beyond with your own set of wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are popular providers to choose from here.
For the best deal, book your ride from Los Angeles International Airport about one week ahead of your Istanbul to Los Angeles flight.
The address for LAX is One World Way.
Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
After your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in around 35 minutes by car. Central Los Angeles is approximately 27 kilometres from Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 15 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near VNY. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles:
Forget about public transport timetables or slow-moving taxi lines. Grab a Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare availability and rates from Budget, Dollar and Hertz.
Pick the vehicle you actually want, not just what's left, by securing your ride from VNY in advance. You'll also avoid paying more than you have to, especially during busy airport times.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
July is the busiest month for flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles. To travel when it's less crowded, go to Los Angeles in March.
Book a Istanbul to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles, browse our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Los Angeles itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
San Diego is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be explored after you've seen Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres to the southeast, check out popular attractions including San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
Around 499 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles, San Jose is another favourite stop in the United States. No visit is complete without checking out Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley.