Flying from Los Angeles to Istanbul: what you need to know
There are two main airports to choose from in Los Angeles. Check out your options departing from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY) when planning your flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul.
When working out where to land in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the chief entry points.
Hop on a direct Los Angeles to Istanbul flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 13 hours 15 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul ten hours ahead of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 15 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul is with Turkish Airlines at 19:55. Go for the first LAX to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 00:10 to maximise your time in Istanbul.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your Los Angeles to Istanbul flight.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Istanbul
Get cheap Los Angeles to Istanbul flights by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for finding the biggest deals.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on plane tickets from Los Angeles to Istanbul. If your travel dates are not set in stone, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Save money on your Los Angeles to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Jet off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul. From LAX, you can fly directly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct Los Angeles to Istanbul plane tickets leaving from LAX.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even explore a different city. When searching for Los Angeles to Istanbul flights leaving from Los Angeles International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles, LAX can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 55 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel near Los Angeles International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you moments from check-in:
Los Angeles International Airport gets high marks for on-time performance. 81.05% of flights that take off from LAX arrive at their destination without delay.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 32 kilometres. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
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 leading providers you can book with here.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is around 31 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul, it takes approximately 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
After your flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul, settle in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or long cab lines. Pick up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul. April is the most popular month for a trip to Istanbul. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
Book a Los Angeles to Istanbul ticket departing in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. 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 Los Angeles to Istanbul, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are leading attractions which should be on every Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you busy. Start with attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.