Travelling from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for around 3 hours 26 minutes.
Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport is located in Lyon. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of Lyon.
With 64 weekly flights between the two airports, Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS) to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is the most popular route. Transavia France operates the earliest flight at 06:00. If you prefer to get more out of your day before flying, the latest departure from LYS to SAW is with Turkish Airlines at 19:10.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your flight from LYS to Istanbul. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as September, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during peak periods in general.
Nonstop flights from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS) to Istanbul are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is where you'll complete your journey.
Choose from a variety of airlines operating direct flights from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul. Book your journey with one of these:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even tour another city. When browsing flights from LYS to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Strasbourg Airport (SXB)
Cote D'Azur Airport (NCE)
You won't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you hold a passport from France and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements are subject to change. So before organising your cheap tickets from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most up-to-date information.
Travelling from central Lyon to LYS takes around 47 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 31 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a handy hotel near LYS? If you've booked an early flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
How to find the cheapest flights from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul is R 895. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 1,749. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book 3 months before you want to travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from LYS to Istanbul.
The cheapest month for tickets from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul is November. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from LYS to Istanbul. There's no need to check every day to see if prices have dropped. We'll notify you the moment the price changes.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
Getting there on public transport typically takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport 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 hotels near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in around 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
The journey will take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from LYS to Istanbul, rest your head at a hotel near SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, head to Istanbul in February when things are quieter.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Search for cheap flights from LYS to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options after locking in your flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul:
Every great adventure has to include a little 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
Finding you a cheap flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and explore the city on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.