Flying from New York to Istanbul: what you need to know
You can choose from multiple airports when planning your flight from New York to Istanbul. Explore your options for flying out of New York from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
When choosing where to land in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the primary gateways.
9 hours 44 minutes is the average time for a direct flight from New York to Istanbul. Operating on the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 7 hours ahead of New York.
With 10 weekly flights between the two airports, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from New York to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines at 00:05. If you prefer to get more out of your day before jetting off, the last departure from EWR to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 01:35.
Leave enough time to get on your flight from New York to Istanbul. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling over a peak time such as August? Public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
You don't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you hold a passport from United States and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can change. So before reserving your cheap flights from New York to Istanbul, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the latest rules.
Flying from New York
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
You can catch a direct flight from New York to Istanbul jetting off from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Begin your trip at EWR and end it at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from New York to Istanbul departing from EWR.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for flights from New York to Istanbul leaving from Newark Liberty International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
EWR is about 24 kilometres from central New York. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 28 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from New York to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure gate:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
You can catch a nonstop flight from New York to Istanbul leaving from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Start your journey at JFK and in no time you'll be at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
From JFK, direct flights from New York to Istanbul can be booked with Turkish Airlines.
Visit family or friends or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from New York to Istanbul, check out these options when departing from Newark Liberty International Airport:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
On public transport, you can travel from central New York to JFK in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away, and making the journey by car takes approximately 48 minutes.
Want to spoil yourself with an extra night away before boarding your flight from New York to Istanbul? Kick back in a hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport before your trip officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling by public transport takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel close to IST if you're catching a late flight from New York to Istanbul. Choose one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from New York to Istanbul, allow for a drive time of approximately 57 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes.
There are some comfortable stays where you can rest ahead of your adventure near SAW. Tuck yourself in after your flight from New York to Istanbul at any of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to Istanbul
ر.ق. 818 is the best price for a one-way ticket from New York to Istanbul. A return flight starts at ر.ق. 1,707. These prices can change based on availability and demand.
Get cheap tickets from New York to Istanbul by booking at least 8 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
April is the cheapest month for flight tickets from New York to Istanbul. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Locking in a cheap ticket from New York to Istanbul couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from New York to Istanbul.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from New York to Istanbul, while August is the busiest. Work out the ideal time to visit Istanbul based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Before booking a flight from New York to Istanbul, consider the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, book a cheap ticket from New York to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from New York to Istanbul, think about where you'd like to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are leading attractions which should feature on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from New York to Istanbul to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Istanbul, from the most popular rental company to the average daily price.
