Flying from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS): What you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Istanbul. Check out your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when searching for a flight from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS).
5 hours 5 minutes is the average travel time for a direct Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport flight.
Lisbon is three hours behind Istanbul. Lisbon Portela Airport is located in Lisbon, which follows the UTC+0 timezone.
With 16 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 6:40am. If you're eager to get more out of your day before you fly, the latest flight from IST to LIS is with Turkish Airlines at 8:30pm.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from Istanbul to LIS.
During high season, allow for longer queues and get there earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international trips.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can find a direct flight from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) out of Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
When taking off from IST, you can take a direct flight from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport with Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines is the airline most travellers choose for flights from IST to LIS.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for cheap flights from Istanbul to LIS departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 45 minutes by 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.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some bonus sleep) by staying at one of these hotels near Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Tick a new place off your list or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport, browse these options when taking off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
You can arrive at SAW from central Istanbul in approximately 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your Istanbul to LIS flight? Unwind in a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your holiday officially begins. These stays have your key waiting:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76.93%. This figure gives an insight into how often flights departing from this airport land on time.
About Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS)
Consider staying in a hotel near LIS if you have a late flight from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport. Settle into one of these accommodation options and get some sleep sooner:
Hit the road running by picking up a Lisbon Portela Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Klass Wagen, Goldcar or OK Mobility to explore Lisbon and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your ride around two weeks in advance of your Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport flight.
Getting from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) to central Lisbon
The centre of Lisbon is around 6 kilometres from Lisbon Portela Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary based on time of day, so do a little research before your trip.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport is R 1,202. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 3,131. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Istanbul to LIS. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely pay.
If you have some flexibility with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when searching for your Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport ticket.
Never miss a deal on plane tickets from Istanbul to LIS by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when prices go down.
Discover the best deal on a flight from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS)
June is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). Visit Lisbon in February if you'd rather avoid peak season.
Lock in an Istanbul to LIS plane ticket departing in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Lisbon to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 8ºC (46ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF).
More about Lisbon
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Lisbon right here. Explore these options after locking in your flight from Istanbul to Lisbon Portela Airport:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Belém, Pasteis de Belém and Real Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Belém are attractions you won't want to skip in Lisbon.
Explore more of Portugal
Porto is just one of the many places in Portugal waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Lisbon. Around 274 kilometres away to the north, its best attractions include Ribeira District, Rio Douro and Livraria Lello.
Coimbra is another favourite destination in Portugal and is around 177 kilometres north of Lisbon. No journey is complete without experiencing Biblioteca Joanina, Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Se Velha de Coimbra) and Mesquita de Coimbra.
