Flights to Istanbul

Overview

Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait, with its historic core on the European side and neighborhoods like Kadıköy and Üsküdar across the water in Asia. On the Sultanahmet peninsula, 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia faces the Blue Mosque across a garden square. Nearby are the underground Basilica Cistern and Topkapı Palace, where Ottoman sultans ruled for nearly four centuries. Downhill, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar still run as working markets.

Across the Golden Horn, Galata Tower rises over Karaköy's cafés and galleries, and İstiklal Avenue runs up to Taksim Square with its historic red tram. Ferries do much of the city's commuting, and a ride from Eminönü or Karaköy to Kadıköy is both transport and sightseeing. On the Asian shore, Kadıköy's food market and the seaside Moda neighborhood give you a more everyday view of Istanbul life.

Istanbul Airport, north of the city near the Black Sea coast, is Turkish Airlines' hub. The carrier flies nonstop from more than a dozen North American cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Toronto. That makes Istanbul a natural stopover on the way to the rest of Türkiye, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia.

Highlights of Istanbul

Where to stay

Airports and getting into town

From Istanbul Airport, the M11 metro reaches Gayrettepe in about 35 minutes, where you change to the M2 for Taksim, or use the Havaist airport buses to Taksim, Sultanahmet, Kadıköy, and other districts, which take roughly 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. From Sabiha Gökçen, the M4 metro runs to Kadıköy, where ferries cross to Eminönü and Karaköy. Taxis from either airport take about an hour to the center and can take much longer at rush hour.

Best time to visit

April to early June and September to October bring mild weather for walking between the hills. April also has the Istanbul Tulip Festival, when parks like Emirgan fill with blooms. July and August are hot, humid, and crowded at the big sights, while winters are cool and often rainy but bring the shortest lines at Hagia Sophia and Topkapı.

Airlines flying to Istanbul

Popular routes to Istanbul

Travel tips from our desk

• Buy an Istanbulkart at any metro or ferry machine. One card pays for metro, tram, bus, Marmaray trains, and ferries, and several people can share it.
• Carry a scarf and wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for mosque visits. Mosques close to tourists for about 30 minutes at each prayer time.
• Check opening days before you go. The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays, and museum closing days vary.
• Use a ride-hailing or taxi app such as BiTaksi rather than hailing street taxis, especially from tourist areas.