Flights to Istanbul(IST)

The only city spanning two continents — where East meets West across the Bosphorus

Flights to Istanbul start from $400 roundtrip, with February being the cheapest month to fly. Istanbul Airport (IST) serves 320+ direct international routes from cities including New York (10h 30m) and Los Angeles (13h). Book on Travorio and pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or 100+ cryptocurrencies, or split into 4 interest-free payments with Sezzle.

Avg. Roundtrip

$400–$950

Cheapest Month

February

~$400 avg

Direct Flight

10h 30m

320+ routes

Airport

IST

35 km from center

Pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or 100+ cryptocurrencies. Compare 750+ airlines on Travorio.

Cheapest Time to Fly to Istanbul

Monthly price guide — cheapest in February (~$400 avg roundtrip)

Best time to book: 6-10 weeks before departure

Month	Avg. Price	Demand	Notes
January	$420	low	Cold and quiet. Excellent deals on flights. Indoor attractions like the Grand Bazaar and Turkish baths shine.
FebruaryCHEAPEST	$400	low	Cheapest month to fly. Chilly but fewer crowds at Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Great for budget travelers.
March	$480	medium	Spring begins. Tulip Festival preparations start. Prices climbing but still reasonable.
April	$550	medium

Airlines Flying to Istanbul

5 direct routes and 1 connecting options

5 airlines offer direct flights to Istanbul, with Turkish Airlines providing the most frequent service from New York.

Airline	From	Direct?	Duration	Price Range	Frequency
Turkish Airlines	New York	Direct	10h 30m	$500-$1,000	Multiple daily
Turkish Airlines	Los Angeles	Direct	13h	$520-$1,050	Daily
Delta Air Lines	New York

Flights to Istanbul by City

Compare prices and flight times from major departure cities

New York

JFK · US

From $580·10h 30m

Los Angeles

LAX · US

From $650·

Istanbul Airport Guide

Istanbul Airport (IST) — 35 km from city center

Istanbul Airport

IST · 35 km from center · Primary

Havaist bus (₺140/$4.40), Istanbul Metro M11 (₺20/$0.60), taxi (~₺700/$22)

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

SAW · 40 km from center

Havabus shuttle (₺140/$4.40), public bus + metro (~₺20/$0.60), taxi (~₺800/$25)

Getting from IST to Istanbul

Istanbul Travel Essentials

The only city spanning two continents — where East meets West across the Bosphorus

Istanbul is a 2,600-year-old megacity of 16 million straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Three empires made it their capital — Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman — leaving behind layers of mosques, palaces, churches, and bazaars that make it one of the world's richest cultural destinations. The Turkish lira's collapse has made it extraordinarily affordable for dollar-holding visitors: world-class meals for $5, hammam treatments for $15, and luxury Bosphorus-view hotels for under $200.

Top Things to Know About Istanbul

Hagia Sophia — built in 537 AD as a cathedral, converted to a mosque, and the greatest surviving example of Byzantine architecture

Grand Bazaar — one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets with 4,000+ shops across 61 streets

Flexible Payment for Istanbul Flights

More ways to pay than any other travel platform

Pay with Crypto

Book flights to Istanbul with Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, USDC, and 100+ other cryptocurrencies. Real-time exchange rates, no hidden markup.

The Turkish Lira has lost over 80% of its value against the dollar since 2020, making Istanbul extraordinarily cheap for visitors. Paying in stablecoin (USDT/USDC) locks in your rate and avoids the 2-4% card conversion fee. ATM withdrawal fees of $3-5 per transaction add up fast in a cash-friendly city.

Learn about crypto payments

Flights to Istanbul — FAQ

What is the cheapest month to fly to Istanbul?

February is typically the cheapest month, with average roundtrip fares around $400 from the US East Coast. January ($420) and November ($450) also offer strong value. Avoid July and August when peak summer demand pushes fares to $900-950 — more than double the winter low.

How long is the flight to Istanbul from the US?

Direct flights from New York JFK take about 10-11 hours on Turkish Airlines. From Los Angeles, nonstop flights are approximately 13 hours. One-stop flights via European hubs (London, Frankfurt, Paris) add 3-5 hours but can save $50-150, especially on European carriers.

Which airlines fly direct to Istanbul from the US?

Turkish Airlines dominates with nonstop service from JFK, IAD (Washington), LAX, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and San Francisco — Istanbul is their mega-hub. Delta offers seasonal nonstop service from JFK. United flies direct from Newark. One-stop options are abundant via Turkish Airlines' massive network connecting 340+ destinations.

Should I fly into IST or SAW airport?

Istanbul Airport (IST) is the primary international hub and serves most long-haul flights including all Turkish Airlines intercontinental routes. It's newer (opened 2019) with modern facilities. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side and primarily handles low-cost European carriers like Pegasus. For US flights, you'll almost always arrive at IST.

Can I pay for Istanbul flights with cryptocurrency?

Yes. Travorio accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, USDC, and 100+ cryptocurrencies for all Istanbul routes. Turkey has one of the world's highest crypto adoption rates, and paying in crypto avoids the 2-4% card conversion fee on Turkish Lira transactions.

Is Turkish Airlines good for long-haul flights?

Turkish Airlines is a Star Alliance member consistently rated among Europe's best carriers. Economy includes complimentary meals, drinks (including wine), entertainment screens, and 23 kg checked luggage. Business class features lie-flat seats on long-haul 777s and A350s. Their Istanbul hub at IST airport has a legendary business lounge with a spa, cinema, and buffet.

January

$420

low demand

February

$400

low demand

March

$480

medium demand

April

$550

medium demand

May

$620

high demand

June

$750

high demand

July

$900

peak demand

August

$950

peak demand

September

$700

high demand

October

$580

medium demand

November

$450

low demand

December

$500

medium demand

Local tip: Get an Istanbulkart at any metro station kiosk — it works on all transit including the Bosphorus ferries. The T1 tram runs directly from the airport metro connection through Sultanahmet to Eminönü (Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, ferries). Never take a taxi without the meter running or use BiTaksi app.

Climate

Humid subtropical — hot summers (Jun-Aug, 25-33°C), cold winters (Dec-Feb, 3-9°C), rainy November-March

Best Time to Visit

April-May for spring tulip season and warm weather; September-October for autumn Bosphorus colors and fewer crowds

Currency

Turkish Lira (TRY). ~₺32 = $1 USD. Extremely favorable exchange rate for Western visitors — fine dining for $10-20, street food for $2-3.

Language

Turkish. English widely spoken in Sultanahmet, Taksim, and hotel districts. Limited English in local neighborhoods like Fatih and Kadıköy backstreets.

Crypto in Istanbul: Turkey has one of the world's highest cryptocurrency adoption rates per capita — over 40% of Turks aged 18-40 have owned crypto, driven by the lira's steep devaluation. Major exchanges like BtcTurk and Paribu are based in Istanbul. While the government has banned crypto for direct payments domestically, trading and holding remain legal and widespread.

When is the best time to book Istanbul flights?

Book 6-10 weeks before departure for the best fares. For peak summer (July-August), book 12+ weeks ahead as Turkish Airlines fills quickly. Flash sales on Turkish Airlines often appear in January for spring/summer travel. Consider shoulder months — May and September offer warm weather at $620-700 vs $900+ in peak summer.

Visa

US citizens need an e-Visa ($50, apply online at evisa.gov.tr, approved instantly). UK citizens also need an e-Visa (free). EU/Schengen citizens enter visa-free for 90 days. E-Visa must be obtained before arrival — not available at the border.

Flights to Istanbul(IST)

Quick Facts — Flights to Istanbul

Cheapest Time to Fly to Istanbul

Airlines Flying to Istanbul

Flights to Istanbul by City

Istanbul Airport Guide

Istanbul Airport

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Getting from IST to Istanbul

Istanbul Travel Essentials

Top Things to Know About Istanbul

Flexible Payment for Istanbul Flights

Pay with Crypto

Flights to Istanbul — FAQ

What is the cheapest month to fly to Istanbul?

How long is the flight to Istanbul from the US?

Which airlines fly direct to Istanbul from the US?

Should I fly into IST or SAW airport?

Can I pay for Istanbul flights with cryptocurrency?

Is Turkish Airlines good for long-haul flights?

Istanbul Travel Guides

Où séjourner à Istanbul

More Europe Destinations

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Delta Air Lines

Havaist Bus

Istanbul Metro (M11)

Havabus Shuttle

Taxi (IST to center)

Istanbulkart

PayPal & Card

When is the best time to book Istanbul flights?

United Airlines

British Airways

Lufthansa

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