Travelling from Tehran to Istanbul: what you need to know
Tehran's main base, Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), is where plenty of awesome adventures begin. Explore your departure choices from here for your flight from Tehran to Istanbul.
When it comes to landing in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the major entry points.
The average length of a direct Tehran to Istanbul flight is 3 hours 20 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is 30 minutes behind Tehran.
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 91 flights a week to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Tehran to Istanbul is with Turkish Airlines at 23:05. Choose the first IKA to IST departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 01:40 to make the most of your arrival in Istanbul.
To ensure you board your Tehran to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Tehran to Istanbul
At the moment, R 1,307 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Tehran to Istanbul. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,305. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book one month before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Tehran to Istanbul flights.
Plan your trip for April. That's the best month for landing the biggest deals on plane tickets from Tehran to Istanbul. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Tehran to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Find a cheap Tehran to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Tehran
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Depart from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) and fly right through to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). If you're looking for a direct flight from Tehran to Istanbul out of IKA, those are your arrival choices.
You'll find a good range of airlines that offer direct Tehran to Istanbul plane tickets out of IKA. Get up and away with one of these trusted names:
We make it a breeze to book a Tehran to Istanbul flight with a stopover. To see the options leaving from Imam Khomeini International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Popular stopovers include:
Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
Central Tehran to IKA is around 40 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 1 hour to reach there if you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab.
Need a convenient place to stay before your flight from Tehran to Istanbul? Remis Hotel and Rexan Hotel are near Imam Khomeini International Airport. They're an especially great option if you're jetting out early.
When it comes to Imam Khomeini International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 69.19% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Tehran to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Travel at your own pace with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and discover more of Istanbul and beyond.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your Tehran to Istanbul flight.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. Once you've disembarked your flight from Tehran to Istanbul, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
There are some great places to lay your head close to SAW. Kick back after your Tehran to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and get going in the blink of an eye.
Snap up a deal by booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from Tehran to Istanbul, while April is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in a Tehran to Istanbul ticket departing in August if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Tehran to Istanbul in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Tehran to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are top attractions which should feature on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've seen Istanbul, now it's time to explore other corners of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey around 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its must-visit sights. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.