Flying from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Planning your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) begins with finding the most convenient airport to start your journey. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are the main terminals in Washington DC.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is 7 hours ahead of Washington DC. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul.
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. There are 19 direct departures a week to choose from. If you prefer a later start to the day, take the last flight with Turkish Airlines at 22:25. Choose the first DCA to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 12:45 if you want to get going earlier.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for stress-free travel. Be at the airport with enough time to catch your flight from Washington DC to IST.
July is a busy month for travelling. If you're heading away then or around a major holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas, get there even earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international journeys.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even explore another city. When browsing flights from Washington DC to IST leaving from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
The distance from central Washington DC to DCA is about 8 kilometres. Use travel apps like Google Maps for the quickest way to get there, whether you want to drive or use public transport.
Booked an early flight from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays close to Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Prefer to leave from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? You can book a direct flight from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) out of this busy hub.
From IAD, direct flights from Washington DC to IST can be booked with Turkish Airlines.
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, browse these options when departing from Washington Dulles International Airport:
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
You can reach IAD from central Washington DC in about 51 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport will take roughly 3 hours and 26 minutes to cover the 56 kilometres or so.
Want to spoil yourself with an extra night away before catching your flight from Washington DC to IST? Check in to a hotel near Washington Dulles International Airport before your adventure officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
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 get to the centre driving.
It takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
For a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, R 5,424 is the cheapest price. You can also book a return flight from just R 9,458. These are currently the lowest fares but are subject to change based on availability.
To get your hands on cheap tickets from Washington DC to IST, book in advance. Airlines typically offer their best fares when flights are first made available.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest tickets from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport across the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's an incredible deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you from looking for a cheap ticket from Washington DC to IST every day.
Make the most of the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. August is the busiest month to visit Istanbul. If you like a quieter vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Washington DC to IST in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap flights from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, browse our range of hotels including:
One of the best ways to experience Istanbul is to explore its popular attractions. Some highlights include Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from Washington DC to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, your next task is choosing one of our car rentals in Istanbul. Check out the deals and easily compare options on price, fuel policies, and more.