Flying from Santorini International Airport (JTR) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Around 1 hour 10 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul.
Santorini International Airport is located in Santorini (Thira). Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is one hour ahead of Santorini (Thira).
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your JTR to Istanbul flight.
Heading off during a peak period like a bank holiday? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Begin your trip at JTR and travel nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Santorini International Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Aegean Airlines is a well-known carrier that operates direct flights from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for flight tickets from JTR to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Central Santorini (Thira) to JTR is around 5 kilometres. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take you about 10 minutes to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
Want an easy start to your journey? Stay near JTR. Whether you have an early flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
92.74% of flights departing from Santorini International Airport reach their destination on time. Given its reliable on-time performance, you're unlikely to face delays when setting off from JTR.
How to find the cheapest flights from Santorini International Airport (JTR) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Santorini International Airport to Istanbul flight is R 1,714. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 3,272. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book eight months before your departure date. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from JTR to Istanbul.
December is the best month for nabbing a fantastic deal on Santorini International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
You don't need to keep checking in to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an extra saving on cheap flights from JTR to Istanbul.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
Think about booking a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's main sights.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from JTR to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 55 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Following your JTR to Istanbul flight, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will save you money.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your dates before booking your flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul. The city buzzes in high season, but hotel rates are generally higher and major attractions can get crowded. Plan your trip to Istanbul in low season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.
Before booking a Santorini International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from JTR to Istanbul around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul, find a hotel that offers both comfort and a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another favourite destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No trip is complete without experiencing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.