Travelling from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for around 3 hours 5 minutes.
Istanbul is two hours ahead of Zurich, where Zurich Airport is located. Istanbul follows the UTC+3 timezone.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 29 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from ZRH to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 18:40. Opt for the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 06:45 if you want to fly out earlier.
Give yourself enough time to make your ZRH to Istanbul flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so give yourself a bit more breathing room. A good general rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
You can book a direct Zurich Airport to Istanbul ticket. Begin your trip at ZRH and end it at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
You'll have your pick of carriers operating direct flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul. Book your ticket with one of these:
The journey from central Zurich to ZRH takes around 1 hour 35 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 10 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to ZRH:
Of all flights departing from Zurich Airport, 69.02% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way Zurich Airport to Istanbul flight is ج.م. 2,455. The cheapest price for a return flight is ج.م. 4,681. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from ZRH to Istanbul, book your trip nine months before your planned departure.
January is the best month for picking up an awesome deal on Zurich Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from ZRH to Istanbul.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 50 minutes.
Getting there on public transport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Hit the road running by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's usual tourist stops.
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from ZRH to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is about 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 55 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
After stepping off your ZRH to Istanbul flight, kick back at a hotel near SAW. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and be off and running.
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW can land you a better rate.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your trip dates before booking your flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive during peak season, but rates are often higher and attractions can get crowded. Go to Istanbul in the off-season for a quieter vibe.
Book a Zurich Airport to Istanbul flight ticket with a departure in August to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from ZRH to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Explore these hotels after you've booked your flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, well-known attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're looking to explore another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are key reasons to visit.
