Travelling from Kabul International Airport (KBL) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Around 4 hours 50 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Kabul International Airport to Istanbul.
Kabul International Airport is located in Kabul. Following the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is one hour 30 minutes behind Kabul.
The busiest route is from Kabul International Airport (KBL) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can select from ten services every week between these two airports. Turkish Airlines offers a 08:45 departure between KBL and IST.
Leave plenty of time to make your KBL to Istanbul flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow even more breathing space. A good rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Begin your trip at KBL and travel nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Kabul International Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Well-known airlines that offer direct flights from Kabul International Airport to Istanbul include:
Stopovers offer the perfect opportunity to discover a new place or just take a break during your journey. When searching for a flight ticket from KBL to Istanbul, deselect 'Direct flights only' to browse all potential stops. Dubai Airport (DXB) is one of your options.
To get to KBL from central Kabul, it takes around 5 minutes by car. It's roughly 8 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Booked an early flight from Kabul International Airport to Istanbul? Stay at a hotel near KBL, like Kabul Star Hotel & Restaurant. Orhan Apartment will also have you moments from your departure gate.
When it comes to the on-time performance of Kabul International Airport, 61.66% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kabul International Airport (KBL) to Istanbul
R 4,930 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Kabul International Airport to Istanbul flight. A return flight ticket starts from R 9,430. These fares can change depending on demand.
Book one month before you want to travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from KBL to Istanbul.
Organise your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on Kabul International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Picking up a cheap flight from KBL to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when a lower fare pops up.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Kabul International Airport to Istanbul by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Book a hotel close to IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Kabul International Airport to Istanbul. Select one of these options and make your first night all about catching up on rest:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top outlets you can book with here.
Lock in the best rate by booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks before your flight from KBL to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Kabul International Airport to Istanbul has arrived, you can reach the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
There are some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near SAW. Unwind and get cosy after your KBL to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and set off in the blink of an eye.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will help you save.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Travel to Istanbul during the high season if you like a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Kabul International Airport to Istanbul during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Kabul International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap tickets from KBL to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Kabul International Airport to Istanbul, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great journeys should 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)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, its top attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No trip is complete without dropping by Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.