Flying from Moscow to Istanbul: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when organising your flight from Moscow to Istanbul. Explore your options for leaving Moscow from Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), Moscow Vnukovo Airport (VKO) and Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME).
Touch down in Istanbul at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
Around 4 hours 40 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Moscow to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Moscow.
You can pick from 48 services each week between Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) and Istanbul Airport (IST). SVO to IST is the most popular route when booking flights from Moscow to Istanbul.
For a relaxed travel experience, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to catch your Moscow to Istanbul flight.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Moscow to Istanbul
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap Moscow to Istanbul flight. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the nearer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when looking for your plane ticket from Moscow to Istanbul.
Finding a cheap flight from Moscow to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when a better deal is available.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Moscow to Istanbul flights.
Flying from Moscow
Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Moscow to Istanbul, you can leave from Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO). Travel from SVO to Istanbul Airport (IST) in one continuous trip.
Lock in your Moscow to Istanbul plane tickets with Aeroflot. This airline is a popular choice for direct flights from SVO.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Moscow to Istanbul flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Located around 27 kilometres from the centre of Moscow, SVO can be reached in about 35 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport is roughly 40 minutes.
After a relaxed start to your journey? Stay near Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Moscow to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport has an excellent on-time record, so flight disruptions are less likely. Departures from SVO land on schedule 84% of the time.
Moscow Vnukovo Airport (VKO)
Looking for a direct flight from Moscow to Istanbul taking off from Moscow Vnukovo Airport (VKO)? Find your seat and fly nonstop from VKO to Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
VKO has a variety of airlines that offer direct Moscow to Istanbul plane tickets. Take to the skies with any of these carriers:
You can get to VKO from the centre of Moscow in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes to travel the 27 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not spend an extra night away from home? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Moscow Vnukovo Airport the day before your flight from Moscow to Istanbul:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Moscow Vnukovo Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 68%.
Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME)
Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) offers direct flights from Moscow to Istanbul. Your trip from DME will bring you straight to Istanbul Airport (IST).
S7 Airlines is one well-known airline that offers direct Moscow to Istanbul plane tickets from DME.
You can book a ticket from Moscow to Istanbul with one or more stops out of Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME). These are some of the most common stopovers between DME and Istanbul:
St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED)
Antalya Airport (AYT)
Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
From central Moscow, DME is around 40 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 45 minutes to get there by car and 45 minutes or so on public transport.
Take the uncertainty out of departure day — stay near Moscow Domodedovo Airport and know you'll make it to your boarding gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Moscow to Istanbul flight:
Flights departing from DME touch down at their destination on schedule 68% of the time.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is approximately 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 45 minutes.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Moscow to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Istanbul Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and chase adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your ride from Istanbul Airport about two weeks ahead of your Moscow to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Moscow to Istanbul has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 31 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
If you hop on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to lay your head close to SAW. Unwind after your Moscow to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or taxi lines. Grab a Istanbul Sabiha Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW will save you money.
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month for flights from Moscow to Istanbul. To skip the crowds, head to Istanbul in March.
Before locking in your Moscow to Istanbul tickets, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for cheap flights from Moscow to Istanbul around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Moscow to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Hagia Sophia, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum are popular attractions which should feature on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, check out popular attractions including The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Izmir is another favourite destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. No journey is complete without a visit to Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.
