Flying from Istanbul to Rome: what you need to know
Istanbul is home to two main airports where you can set off on your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to Rome departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA) are Rome's major gateways.
Hop on a direct Istanbul to Rome flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 2 hours 45 minutes.
Rome is two hours behind Istanbul and observes the UTC+1 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from Istanbul to Rome is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO). There are 28 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from IST to FCO is the 07:35 Turkish Airlines service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 21:50 with Turkish Airlines.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your Istanbul to Rome flight.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Rome
R 673 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Rome. Return flights start from R 1,540. These fares may change depending on availability and demand.
Book nine months before flying. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Istanbul to Rome flights.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Rome is December. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Locking in a cheap flight from Istanbul to Rome couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Istanbul to Rome flights.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Set off from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) on a nonstop flight from Istanbul to Rome. From IST, you can travel directly to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
Turkish Airlines is a well-known airline that offers direct Istanbul to Rome plane tickets from IST.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Istanbul to Rome flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular options:
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
IST is around 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul to Rome? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Prefer to fly from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? This hub offers direct flights from Istanbul to Rome, seamlessly connecting you to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
From SAW, you can lock in a direct Istanbul to Rome plane ticket with Pegasus.
Visit friends or family or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Istanbul to Rome flight, browse these options when heading out from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
You can get to SAW from the centre of Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 31 kilometres or so.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Istanbul to Rome, unwind in one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 77%.
Arriving in Rome
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to central Rome takes about 40 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 23 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre on public transport will take you around 50 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Rome, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near FCO:
Travel at your own pace with a Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Surprice, RentSmart24 or Noleggiare and venture far and wide through Rome and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport about three weeks in advance boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)
Once your flight from Istanbul to Rome has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central Rome is roughly 14 kilometres from Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to CIA. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Istanbul to Rome:
RentSmart24, Sicily by Car and Surprice make collecting a Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport rental car quick and easy. These suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Get first dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from CIA one week ahead of time often means lower prices and a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Rome
January is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Rome, while August is the most popular. Find the ideal time to visit Rome based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in an Istanbul to Rome ticket departing in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Rome to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Istanbul to Rome in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 14ºC (57ºF) on average.
More about Rome
Start your Rome trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Istanbul to Rome, explore our selection of hotels including:
Colosseum and Trevi Fountain are just two of the big attractions to add to your Rome must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Roman Forum.
Explore more of Italy
Rome has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of Italy you'll want to see. Around 483 kilometres north-west of Rome, a visit to Milan will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Grande Museo del Duomo di Milano, Milan Cathedral and The Last Supper Museum.
If you're looking to explore another major stop in Italy, consider Naples, about 193 kilometres south-east of Rome. National Archaeological Museum, Castel dell'Ovo and Royal Palace of Naples are key highlights.
