Travelling from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
13 hours 16 minutes is the average length of a direct flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Istanbul is 10 hours ahead of Los Angeles and operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport start at 08:00 — the first with Turkish Airlines. The latest flight is the 19:55 option with Turkish Airlines. Overall, there are 19 services every week between LAX and IST.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months like July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
Turkish Airlines is your gateway to exploring Istanbul (and perhaps some other exciting parts of Türkiye (Turkey)!). Choose from the direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport offered by this carrier.
If you want to have a stopover for your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' and explore your options. Here are the popular stopovers between LAX and IST:
London Heathrow Airport
Denver International Airport
Franz Josef Strauss Airport
Remember, you might need a visa to enter Türkiye (Turkey). Visa regulations vary and travel documentation requirements are constantly changing. Before reserving your cheap ticket from LAX to IST, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the latest information.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is R 5,158. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 10,768. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Book 8 months before you travel. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from LAX to IST.
April is the cheapest month for tickets from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Finding a cheap ticket from LAX to IST 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 the price has dropped.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Handy information about Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Located around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport can be reached in approximately 32 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport will take roughly 54 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel near LAX? If you've booked an early flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Los Angeles International Airport 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 relaxing soon after at one of these options near IST:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there by public transport.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The quietest month for a flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is February, while August is the most popular. Choose the best time to visit Istanbul based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for August if you want to visit Istanbul during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 20ºC and 30ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Search for cheap tickets from LAX to IST sometime then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
If you're looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Explore these hotels once you've locked in your flight from LAX to IST:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are leading attractions which should feature on every Istanbul itinerary.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is an alternative international airport for getting to and from Istanbul. It may be an easier or cheaper option depending on your journey, so it's worth considering.
Complete your Istanbul trip with hotels and a car rental
After you've secured your cheap ticket to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, check out the lowest prices and exclusive rates for hotels. You can also compare hundreds of car rental companies in one place to find the best car rental price for your Istanbul getaway.