Flying from Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is 1 hour ahead of Tel Aviv, where Ben Gurion International Airport is located.
To ensure you catch your flight from TLV to Istanbul, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in 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.
If you hold a passport from Israel and are travelling to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, visa and entry requirements may differ based on your length of stay and can be subject to change. For the latest information, contact your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before reserving a cheap ticket from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul.
Travelling from central Tel Aviv to TLV takes about 43 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 24 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near TLV:
How to find the cheapest flights from Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) to Istanbul
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul is R 1,850. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 3,601. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from TLV to Istanbul if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird rates.
Finding cheap tickets from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul is easier if you can be flexible with your trip dates. Check out the 'Whole month' function to show the best prices across the month and snap up a great deal.
Create a Price Alert for cheap tickets from TLV to Istanbul. There's no need to check back in every day to find out if prices have fallen. We'll let you know as soon as there's a change in price.
Tailor your travel plans with filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It'll take around 1 hour and 45 minutes if you're using public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul has landed, you can make your way to the city centre in around 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from TLV to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel near SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month to hop on a flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to visit Istanbul, consider whether you prefer a lively vibe or a quieter pace.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Ben Gurion 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 TLV to Istanbul sometime around then if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Istanbul to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus you'll find all the info you need on car rentals in Istanbul, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.