Travelling from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): What you need to know
There are a couple of airports you can start your trip from in Istanbul. Explore your options leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when searching for a flight from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY).
Hop on a direct Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 55 minutes.
Beirut is one hour behind Istanbul. Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport is located in Beirut, which follows the UTC+2 timezone.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) is the most popular route. There are 45 direct weekly flights to choose from. If you have plans before you fly, take the last flight with Middle East Airlines at 10pm. Opt for the first IST to BEY departure with Turkish Airlines at 12:15am if you'd rather get going earlier.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Istanbul to BEY. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
Peak season means busier airports, so be there even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for an international journey to stay on schedule.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct flights from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport taking off from IST.
The preferred choice for passengers flying between IST and BEY is Turkish Airlines.
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a relaxed start to your break? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Consider starting your journey from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). You can book a direct Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) plane ticket with departures from this hub.
Board your direct flight from Istanbul to BEY with Pegasus. This is one of the top carriers flying this route out of SAW.
On the SAW to BEY route, Pegasus is the top airline in terms of bookings.
If you're looking for a carrier that's reliably punctual, book with Pegasus. It has an on-time performance of 80.7% for flights between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.
On public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away, and getting there by car will take approximately 55 minutes.
Flying out early in the morning? Think about checking in to one of these accommodation options near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your Istanbul to BEY flight:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance of 76.93%. This figure provides insight into how frequently flights that take off from this airport make it to their destination on schedule.
About Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)
If you have a late flight from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these options near BEY:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Wheego, city car or Advance Car Hire and experience the lesser-explored corners of Beirut and beyond.
Booking your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport flight can help you get the lowest rate.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)
At the moment, R 1,218 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,472. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book six months before you want to travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Istanbul to BEY.
The best month for finding cheap Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport tickets is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates offering the lowest fares.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's a better deal on plane tickets from Istanbul to BEY.
Lock in a cheap flight from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport by using the search filters. Select your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)
August is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY). Visit Beirut in April for a more laid-back experience.
When booking your Istanbul to BEY plane ticket, consider the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Beirut, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).
January has temperatures of between 8ºC (46ºF) and 18ºC (64ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Beirut
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Beirut:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Downtown Beirut, SKYBAR Beirut and Rocks are essential stops on your Beirut itinerary.
Explore more of Lebanon
Go all in on your Lebanon trip by exploring beyond Beirut. Around 105 kilometres away to the north-east, Qachlaq is another city to put on your must-do list. Check off some of its biggest attractions like centre ville while you're there.
Next stop? Make your way to Jânîne. It's around 105 kilometres north-east of Beirut and boasts highlights like حكر جنين Hekr Jenine.