Traveling from Antalya Airport (AYT) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Antalya Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for around 1 hour 27 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Antalya (the location of Antalya Airport).
The most popular route is from Antalya Airport (AYT) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can select from 156 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from AYT to IST is the 00:20 Turkish Airlines option. If you're planning to fly out later on, the final departure is at 23:10 with Turkish Airlines.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your flight from AYT to Istanbul. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months such as August and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
You can book a direct flight from Antalya Airport to Istanbul. Start your trip at AYT and touch down at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
You'll find a variety of airlines that offer direct flights from Antalya Airport to Istanbul, such as:
Once you've booked cheap tickets from Antalya Airport to Istanbul, get your travel documents ready. A visa or passport isn't necessary since you're traveling within Türkiye (Turkey). As long as you have some other valid proof of identity, such as an ID card or driver's license, you're good to go.
AYT is around 9 miles from central Antalya. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the center, it'll take you 18 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be approximately 38 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Antalya Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays near AYT:
How to find the cheapest flights from Antalya Airport (AYT) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Antalya Airport to Istanbul is $20. The cheapest price for a return flight is $42. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book 8 months before your departure date. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from AYT to Istanbul.
Organize your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Antalya Airport to Istanbul. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Finding a cheap ticket from AYT to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when the price has fallen.
Make the most of the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Antalya Airport to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 30 miles away.
It takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes when traveling by public transport.
Book a hotel near IST if you're catching a late flight from Antalya Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The center of Istanbul is located around 30 miles from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Antalya Airport to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 57 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from AYT to Istanbul:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month to hop on a flight from Antalya Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the best time to go to Istanbul, consider whether you prefer a lively vibe or a quieter pace.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 68ºF and 86ºF. Book your flights from Antalya Airport to Istanbul in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January sees average temperatures of between 36ºF and 52ºF. Look for cheap flights from AYT to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Explore these options after locking in your flight from Antalya Airport to Istanbul:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are top attractions which should be on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Antalya Airport to Istanbul to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus we give you all the info on car rentals in Istanbul, from the most popular car type to the average daily price.
