Travelling from Washington DC to Istanbul: what you need to know
When searching for your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul, there's a selection of airports you can jet off from. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are some of Washington DC's main options.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's primary gateways.
The average length of a direct Washington DC to Istanbul flight is 10 hours.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul seven hours ahead of Washington DC.
To ensure you board your Washington DC to Istanbul flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Istanbul
To find cheap Washington DC to Istanbul flights, book ahead. Airlines tend to offer the most competitive fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across each month when searching for your plane ticket from Washington DC to Istanbul.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Washington DC to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Save money on your Washington DC to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Washington DC to Istanbul flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Ronald Reagan National Airport. Take a pause at one of these airports:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
The journey from central Washington DC to DCA takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
In search of a convenient hotel near Ronald Reagan National Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Washington DC to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
Of all flights departing from Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% land on schedule at their destination.
DCA is located at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
You can take a nonstop flight from Washington DC to Istanbul out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Start your trip at IAD and step off the plane at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
From IAD, you can book a direct Washington DC to Istanbul plane ticket with Turkish Airlines.
Split up your Washington DC to Istanbul flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some popular stopovers between Washington Dulles International Airport and Istanbul include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
On public transport, you can travel from central Washington DC to IAD in around 1 hour 10 minutes. The terminal is roughly 40 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 50 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul? Relax in a hotel near Washington Dulles International Airport before your holiday officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 74%.
The street address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Booking a ticket from Washington DC to Istanbul with one or more stops can give you more choice of departure times and access to cheaper fares. When jetting off from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), here are a few places you can detour to on the way to Istanbul:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
BWI is around 40 kilometres from central Washington DC. Driving from the city centre to the terminal takes about 50 minutes. If you're thinking about taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Make taking an early Washington DC to Istanbul flight the easiest part of your trip. Stay at one of these accommodation options near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and get to your departure gate without rushing:
The on-time performance record of BWI is 77.13%. To put it simply, that's how frequently flights from this airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Washington DC to Istanbul. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular providers to choose from here.
For the lowest price, book your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your Washington DC to Istanbul flight.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul has landed, you can get to the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
After your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Get the pick of the lot. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to plan your trip dates for your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul. April is the busiest month to visit Istanbul. If you want a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
Book a Washington DC to Istanbul ticket departing in August if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for cheap flights from Washington DC to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options after locking in your flight from Washington DC to Istanbul:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've done Istanbul, now it's time to explore more of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey around 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its top sights. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Izmir is another must-experience destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.