Flying from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 11 hours 8 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul.
Istanbul is 1 hour ahead of Cape Town, where Cape Town International Airport is located. Istanbul operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
The most popular route is from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). There are 10 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from CPT to IST is the 16:35 Turkish Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 17:15 with Turkish Airlines.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from CPT to Istanbul.
During popular months such as June, you'll want to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
You can catch a nonstop flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul that lands at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Take to the skies with Turkish Airlines. This popular airline offers direct flights from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even tour another city. When browsing flights from CPT to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
If you hold a passport from South Africa, you will need an e-visa to visit Türkiye (Turkey). This applies when booking a cheap ticket from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always consult official visa guidelines before you book and certainly before you fly.
Central Cape Town to CPT is around 19 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 21 minutes to reach there if you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving.
Searching for a convenient hotel near CPT? If you're boarding an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul is R 4,952. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 9,547. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap tickets from CPT to Istanbul, reserve your trip 9 months before the departure date.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Getting a cheap ticket from CPT to Istanbul is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Tailor your travel plans with filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is located around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 57 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from CPT to Istanbul, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul. August is the busiest month for a trip to Istanbul. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your flights from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap flights from CPT to Istanbul in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Istanbul and see the sights at your own pace. Easily compare rates in one place to find the perfect set of wheels once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flights from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul.
