Flying from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): What you need to know
Lay the groundwork for your adventure by considering where you'll board your flight from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA) are the main airports in Rome.
The average length of a direct Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight is 2 hours 40 minutes.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul. The city follows the UTC+3 timezone and is two hours ahead of Rome.
With 28 direct flights a week between the two airports, Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 6:55am. If you're eager to make the most of your day before leaving, the latest flight from FCO to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 8pm.
Your flight from Rome to IST won't wait if you're late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
In high season, allow for longer wait times and be there earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international journeys.
Airports in Rome
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) leave from this terminal.
When departing from FCO, you can take a direct flight from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with Turkish Airlines.
The airline with the highest booking numbers between FCO and IST is Turkish Airlines.
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Rome, FCO can be reached in about 40 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 50 minutes.
Looking for a comfortable hotel near Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
Of the departures from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, 70.57% arrive on time at their destination.
Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)
Turn your flight into part of the adventure with a stopover on your flight from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Here's where you can connect between Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport and IST:
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG)
You can get to CIA from central Rome in approximately 40 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to cover the 18 kilometres or so.
Catching the earliest flight? You might like to check in to one of these hotels near Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport the day before your Rome to IST flight:
Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport has an on-time performance of 73.18%. This figure reflects how frequently flights that take off from this airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you have a late flight from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these options near IST:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are well-known companies to choose from here.
Booking your ride around two weeks ahead of your Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight can help you score a better rate.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is about 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. How long it'll take to get to the centre in a car hire or cab will depend on the time of day. Do a little research beforehand.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Right now, R 1,064 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,173. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book one month before flying. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Rome to IST.
The best month for landing cheap Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Rome to IST couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
The best time to fly from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Think about the kind of holiday you want when deciding when to fly. February is the quietest month to visit Istanbul. August is when most people book flights from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), which may be perfect if you'd rather travel when it's busy.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Rome to IST plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January sees temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Rome to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Hagia Sophia History Museum and Hagia Sophia Museum are a couple of big attractions to put on your Istanbul to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Historic Areas of Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be explored. Around 225 kilometres south-east of Istanbul, a trip to Eskisehir will keep your itinerary packed. Don't miss top attractions like Eskişehir, Eskişehir and Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri.
If you want to check out another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey), consider Adapazarı, about 153 kilometres east of Istanbul. Ozanlar Ulu Cami, Güllük Cami and Valide Cami are highlights.