Flying from Chicago to Istanbul: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can take off from in Chicago. Check out your options departing from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when booking your flight from Chicago to Istanbul.
Arrive in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
A direct flight from Chicago to Istanbul takes on average 10 hours 30 minutes. The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is 8 hours ahead of Chicago.
The busiest route for flights from Chicago to Istanbul is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can select from 19 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to head off first thing, the earliest flight from ORD to IST is the 11:25 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer to travel later, the final departure is at 21:20 with Turkish Airlines.
To ensure you catch your flight from Chicago to Istanbul, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months such as August, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during peak periods in general.
You don't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you have a passport from United States and are visiting for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements can be subject to change. So before booking your cheap flights from Chicago to Istanbul, check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can reserve a direct flight from Chicago to Istanbul taking off from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Begin your journey at ORD and land at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
You can travel on a direct flight from Chicago to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. This leading airline operates services from ORD.
We make it a piece of cake to plan a flight from Chicago to Istanbul that includes a stopover. To see all the options departing from O'Hare International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in approximately 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 54 minutes.
Have an early flight from Chicago to Istanbul? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels near O'Hare International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Split up your flight from Chicago to Istanbul with a stop so you can recharge or tick a new place off your list. Some top stopovers between O'Hare International Airport and Istanbul include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
MDW is around 19 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes 21 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 46 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not book another night away? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to Istanbul:
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. With a car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 50 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. After your flight from Chicago to Istanbul, expect a drive time of approximately 57 minutes to get to the heart of the city.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Chicago to Istanbul:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Istanbul
R 5,827 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Istanbul. A return flight starts at R 12,553. These fares may change based on availability.
Book 2 months before you want to fly. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from Chicago to Istanbul.
October is the cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Istanbul. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from Chicago to Istanbul. There's no need to check back in every day to find out if prices have fallen. We'll update you when the price changes.
Take advantage of filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Chicago to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to plan your travel dates for your flight from Chicago to Istanbul. August is the most popular month to travel to Istanbul. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your flights from Chicago to Istanbul in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Chicago to Istanbul sometime then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Chicago to Istanbul, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are top sights which should be on every Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Chicago to Istanbul to track down amazing 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 car rental to the average daily price.
