Travelling from Luqa Malta International Airport (MLA) to Istanbul Airport (IST): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul two hours ahead of Valletta.
Take your pick of 15 weekly Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport flights. The 06:00 departure with KM Malta Airlines is the earliest you can take. Turkish Airlines operates the last service of the day at 19:30.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your MLA to IST flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to prevent a last-minute sprint to your gate.
Travelling during a peak time like August? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines is your ticket to exploring Istanbul (and perhaps some other great parts of Türkiye (Turkey)!). Browse the direct flights from Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport offered by this airline.
Turkish Airlines is the top choice for travellers on this route.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or visit a new city along the way. Here's where you can stop between MLA and IST:
Athens International Airport
Bologna International Airport
Skopje Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Luqa Malta International Airport (MLA) to Istanbul Airport (IST)
Right now, R 1,169 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is R 2,496. Bear in mind that fares can change due to demand when booking.
To score cheap tickets from MLA to IST, book your trip one month ahead of your departure date.
June is the cheapest month for flights from Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Landing cheap flights from MLA to IST is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as a new discounted fare appears.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals on flights from Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport.
Handy information about Luqa Malta International Airport (MLA)
76% of flights taking off from Luqa Malta International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
To reach Luqa Malta International Airport from central Valletta, it'll take around 20 minutes if you're planning to drive. Of course, this depends on traffic. It's approximately 8 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Expect a journey time of around 30 minutes on public transport.
Need a handy hotel near MLA? If you're catching an early flight from Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
Reserve a hotel close to IST if you have a late Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Grab a Istanbul 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.
To get the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Airport around two weeks before you set off.
Getting from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Airport is approximately 40 kilometres from central Istanbul. Driving there takes about 45 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Airport (IST)
August is the busiest month for flights from Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport. To steer clear of the crowds, go to Istanbul in March.
Book your flight from Luqa Malta International Airport to Istanbul Airport for July if you want to explore Istanbul during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 21ºC (70ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for cheap tickets from MLA to IST sometime around then if you like cooler conditions.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've seen Istanbul, now it's time to explore more of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its popular sights. From The Roman Theatre to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience major highlights starting with Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.


