Travelling from Frankfurt to Istanbul: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll catch your flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN) are Frankfurt's main airports.
Step off your plane in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Take a direct Frankfurt to Istanbul flight and you'll be flying for an average of 3 hours 10 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is two hours ahead of Frankfurt.
The busiest route for flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul is from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Choose from 47 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from FRA to IST is the 07:15 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the last available departure is at 22:00 with Turkish Airlines.
To ensure you catch your Frankfurt to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
During popular months such as April, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul
Get cheap Frankfurt to Istanbul flights by booking seven months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for bagging a bargain.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Frankfurt to Istanbul is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Locking in a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Frankfurt to Istanbul flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Begin your travels at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), which offers multiple direct flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul. From FRA, you can fly seamlessly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Choose from a variety of carriers offering direct Frankfurt to Istanbul plane tickets with departures from FRA, including:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for Frankfurt to Istanbul flights leaving from Frankfurt Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Nuremberg Airport (NUE)
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)
Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
Travelling from central Frankfurt to FRA takes around 35 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After a hassle-free start to your travels? Stay near Frankfurt Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
When it comes to Frankfurt Airport's on-time performance, data shows 67.47% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
Split up your Frankfurt to Istanbul flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or tick a new place off your list. Top stopovers between Frankfurt - Hahn Airport and Istanbul include:
Nis Constantine the Great Airport (INI)
Sofia Airport (SOF)
Palese Airport (BRI)
You can reach HHN from the centre of Frankfurt in about 1 hour 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride on public transport will take roughly 2 hours 40 minutes to cover the 105 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul, take it easy in one of these hotels close to Frankfurt - Hahn Airport:
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport has an on-time performance rate of 53.13%. This figure provides insight into how often flights departing from this airport arrive on time.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular outlets to choose from here.
Lock in the best rate by reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks before your trip.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
There are some great places to lay your head close to SAW. Unwind after your Frankfurt to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or long cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare offers from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Snap up the best price by securing your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul. April is the busiest month for a trip to Istanbul. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, go in February.
When booking your Frankfurt to Istanbul tickets, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for cheap flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're eager to discover another side of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are among the biggest draws.
