Travelling from Istanbul to Varna Airport (VAR): What you need to know
Istanbul has two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to Varna Airport (VAR) leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
1 hour 5 minutes is the average travel time for a direct Istanbul to Varna Airport flight.
Varna is one hour behind Istanbul. Varna Airport is located in Varna, which is in the UTC+2 timezone.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Varna Airport (VAR) is the most popular route, with 9 direct services each week. You can get from IST to VAR on Turkish Airlines's 1:40am flight.
To ensure you get on your flight from Istanbul to VAR, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During peak travel periods, expect longer wait times and show up earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international trips.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Varna Airport (VAR) take off from this terminal.
Turkish Airlines is a well-known carrier that operates direct flights from Istanbul to Varna Airport jetting out of IST.
Turkish Airlines sees the most traveller bookings for flights from IST to VAR.
Located around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul to Varna Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just what you're after:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Check a new destination off your list or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Istanbul to Varna Airport, here's where you can stop when taking off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Hamburg Airport (HAM)
Stuttgart Airport (STR)
You can reach SAW from the centre of Istanbul in approximately 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Taking off bright and early? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your Istanbul to VAR flight:
76.93% of flights departing Sabiha Gokcen International Airport meet their expected arrival time.
About Varna Airport (VAR)
Consider booking a hotel close to VAR if you're catching a late flight from Istanbul to Varna Airport. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Varna Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from EasyRentBulgaria, Top Rent a Car or Goldcar and experience the lesser-explored corners of Varna and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle around four weeks ahead of your Istanbul to Varna Airport flight.
Getting from Varna Airport (VAR) to central Varna
Central Varna is around 8 kilometres from Varna Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary depending on time of day, so do a little research ahead of time.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Varna Airport (VAR)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Varna Airport is R 1,270. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 3,034. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Istanbul to VAR. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely pay.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the cheapest price in every month when searching for your Istanbul to Varna Airport ticket.
Be the first to know about deals for plane tickets from Istanbul to VAR by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Filters make it easier to land a deal on your flight from Istanbul to Varna Airport. Pick the departure times, carriers and stops that make sense for you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the lowest price right away.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Varna Airport (VAR)
April is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Varna Airport (VAR), while July is the busiest. Work out the best time to visit Varna based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Varna is August, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 31ºC (88ºF). Book your Istanbul to VAR plane ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Istanbul to Varna Airport in January when temperatures are between -4ºC (25ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Varna
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Varna right here. Explore these hotels after locking in your flight from Istanbul to Varna Airport:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Sahara Beach, Beach Golden Sands and Opera Varna are essential stops on your Varna itinerary.
Explore more of Bulgaria
Plovdiv is just one of the many places in Bulgaria waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Varna. Around 274 kilometres away to the south-west, its top attractions include Plovdiv Old Town, Plovdiv Roman Theatre and Ancient Plovdiv Municipal Institute.
Around 193 kilometres south-west of Varna, Stara Zagora is another favourite stop in Bulgaria. Experience major highlights starting with Парк „5-и октомври“ (Градската градина), Zagorka Lake and The Zelen Klin Park.
