Cheap Flights to Istanbul Airport

Looking for flights using the airport code IST? It’s worth knowing upfront that this code no longer refers to the historic Atatürk Airport. Since April 2019, IST belongs to the newly built Istanbul Airport, Turkish Airlines’ massive modern hub, while the former Atatürk site has been closed to scheduled passenger service.
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About Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul Airport is located in Arnavutköy, on the European side of the city, about 35 to 45 kilometers from central Istanbul. Since taking over all commercial passenger operations in 2019, it has grown into one of the busiest and largest airports in the world, serving as the primary hub for Turkish Airlines and a major connecting point between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Airport code
IST (ICAO: LTFM)
Location
Arnavutköy, Istanbul, Turkey
Distance from city center
Approximately 35–45 km
Airlines serving IST
Turkish Airlines (hub), plus dozens of international carriers

Popular Routes to and from Istanbul

As Turkish Airlines’ global hub, Istanbul Airport offers an extensive network across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Route Type

Popular Connections

Domestic

London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome
Long-Haul
New York, Chicago, Bangkok, Singapore, Nairobi

Best Time to Book Cheap Flights to Istanbul

Booking 6 to 10 weeks ahead generally offers good value for both European and long-haul routes into Istanbul. Summer remains the busiest travel season for the city, so booking further ahead is recommended for travel between June and September.
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What to See Near Istanbul

Istanbul is famous for straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, with a historic core featuring the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. The city’s Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, remains a major draw for visitors exploring Istanbul’s centuries of layered history.

Things to Know When Flying Into Istanbul

Make sure you’re booking Istanbul Airport (IST) in Arnavutköy, not the historic Atatürk site, which no longer serves passenger flights.
Istanbul Airport is the world’s largest privately operated airport and one of Europe’s busiest by passenger volume.
Istanbul Metro Line M11 connects the airport to the city center.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, on the Asian side of the city, serves as a secondary airport, mainly for low-cost carriers.

Why Book Your Istanbul Flights with Airline Tickets Services

Access to unpublished airfare deals
Help finding the best Turkish Airlines connections and stopover options
Assistance confirming the correct airport before you book
Guidance on the best time to book for your travel dates
Support across major global airline partners

FAQs — Flights to Istanbul Airport

Ataturk Airport closed to scheduled commercial passenger flights on April 6, 2019. All passenger service, along with the IST airport code, transferred to the newly built Istanbul Airport, while the former Ataturk site now serves general aviation and hosts a large public park under construction.

Since April 2019, the IST code belongs to Istanbul Airport in Arnavutköy, the city's large new hub. The former Ataturk Airport now uses the code ISL and no longer handles scheduled passenger flights.

Istanbul Airport is the primary hub for Turkish Airlines and is also served by dozens of international carriers, making it one of the busiest airports in the world by international connections.

Istanbul Airport is located in Arnavutköy, on the European side of the city, about 35 to 45 kilometers from central Istanbul.

Booking 6 to 10 weeks ahead generally offers good value for both European and long-haul routes into Istanbul, with earlier booking recommended for the busy summer travel season.

Istanbul is known for straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus, along with landmarks including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the historic Grand Bazaar.

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