Flying from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for an average of 9 hours 53 minutes.
Incheon International Airport is located in Seoul. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 6 hours behind Seoul.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route, with 26 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from ICN to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 23:20. Go for the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 00:10 if you want to get on your way earlier.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your flight from ICN to Istanbul. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months like July and other peak periods. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
You can book a nonstop flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul. Start your trip at ICN and arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Pick from a variety of airlines that offer direct flights from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul. Reserve your trip with one of these:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and possibly even tour another city. When searching for flights from ICN to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Tashkent International Airport (TAS)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
If you hold a passport from South Korea and plan to travel to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may vary based on your length of stay and are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, check with your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before reserving a cheap ticket from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul.
Have an early flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels close to ICN:
How to find the cheapest flights from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul
ج.م. 10,675 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul. Return flights start from ج.م. 19,560. These prices may change depending on demand and availability.
Score cheap tickets from ICN to Istanbul by booking 10 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flight tickets from ICN to Istanbul. You don't need to look every day to find out if prices have dropped. We'll tell you when there's a change in price.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling by public transport will take you roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is roughly 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've disembarked your flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 57 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from ICN to Istanbul:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month for flights from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul. To escape the crowds, plan your trip to Istanbul in February when it's quieter.
Before you book a flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul, 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 ICN to Istanbul around that time if you'd rather travel 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 hotels after locking in your flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just the start of the top attractions to put on your Istanbul travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and travel at your own pace. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.