Flying from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), is where countless awesome holidays begin. Explore the departure options from here when planning your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Book a direct flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and you'll be travelling for around 9 hours 58 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is 1 hour ahead of Johannesburg. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul.
With 10 direct flights a week between the two airports, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 17:55. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the last departure from JNB to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 19:05.
Leave enough time to get on your flight from Johannesburg to IST. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Show up at the airport even earlier during popular months like July. Aim for two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights. After checking in, you can use any extra time to relax or grab something to eat.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) take off from this terminal.
If you want to leave from JNB, you can take a direct flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with Turkish Airlines.
We make it a piece of cake to find a flight from Johannesburg to IST that includes a stopover. To see your options leaving from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Popular stopovers between JNB and IST include:
N'djili Airport (FIH)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
From central Johannesburg, JNB is approximately 29 kilometres away. Use navigation apps or visit the official airport website to work out the best way to get there.
In search of a convenient hotel near O.R. Tambo International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport to the centre of Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away. See what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
For a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, R 4,909 is the cheapest price. You can also book a return trip from just R 9,557. These are currently the lowest fares but could change based on availability.
Book 7 months before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from Johannesburg to IST.
To score the best price on your tickets from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, book your trip for April (it has the cheapest flights). Flexible with your dates? Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the most affordable day to fly.
Locking in a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to IST is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
February is the quietest time to fly to Istanbul. Alternatively, follow the crowds and go in August. This is the most popular month for flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, but the best time to go is up to you.
Before booking a flight from Johannesburg to IST, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Search for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport sometime then if you like cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
After locking in your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, think about where you'd like to stay in this city. Make one of these 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 popular 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 Johannesburg to Istanbul Ataturk Airport to track down your perfect ride. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and compare offers in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to know, from the most popular car type to the average daily price.
