Flying from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Around 3 hours is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Istanbul is two hours ahead of Milan and observes the UTC+3 timezone.
Each week, there are 39 Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights. If you'd like to get going as early as possible, opt for the 06:50 Turkish Airlines flight. If you're eager to make the most of your time before you fly, the last departure is at 19:50 with Turkish Airlines.
To ensure you catch your MXP to IST flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you ample time for security and boarding.
Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to see the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if your schedule allows.
Turkish Airlines tops the list for bookings on this route.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or perhaps explore a new destination along the way. Here are some options between MXP and IST:
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport
Sofia Airport
Naples International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight is R 971. A round-trip plane ticket is currently R 1,860. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Get cheap tickets from MXP to IST by booking at least seven months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
June is the cheapest month for flights from Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have gone down when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's a change in price on cheap flights from MXP to IST.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)
68.23% of flights that depart Milano Malpensa Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
To reach Milano Malpensa Airport from central Milan, it'll take around 45 minutes if you're planning to drive. Of course, this depends on traffic. It's approximately 48 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Expect a journey time of around 55 minutes on public transport.
Get your break off to a stress-free start by staying near MXP. Whether you're catching an early flight from Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these stays are perfect:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Book a hotel close to IST if you have a late Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and see more of Istanbul and beyond.
To get the lowest price, book your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre by car.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The quietest month for a flight from Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is February, while April is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a faster pace or a more relaxed vibe.
Book your flight from Milano Malpensa Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for August if you want to go to Istanbul during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from MXP to IST in January. Temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) then.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading 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). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.