Traveling from Houston to Istanbul: what you need to know
Houston has a couple of airports where you can kick off your travels. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Houston to Istanbul leaving from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
Hop off your plane in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
The average time for a direct flight from Houston to Istanbul is 11 hours 59 minutes. Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul 8 hours ahead of Houston.
The busiest route for flights from Houston to Istanbul is from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can choose from 14 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from IAH to IST is the 14:30 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer traveling later, the last departure is at 22:20 with Turkish Airlines.
To ensure you get on your flight from Houston to Istanbul, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Traveling during a popular month like July? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
If you hold a passport from United States and plan to travel to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, visa and entry requirements may vary based on the reason for your trip and can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's nearest embassy or consulate before reserving a cheap flight from Houston to Istanbul.
Flying from Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Take off from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on a nonstop flight from Houston to Istanbul. From IAH, you can travel directly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
If you want to leave from IAH, you can catch a direct flight from Houston to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from Houston to Istanbul. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Take a break from traveling at one of these popular options:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Traveling from central Houston to IAH takes approximately 49 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 17 miles in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After a leisurely start to your break? Stay near George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Houston to Istanbul or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Split up your flight from Houston to Istanbul with a stop so you can stretch your legs or tick a new place off your list. Top stopovers between George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Istanbul include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
You can reach HOU from the center of Houston in about 22 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 42 minutes to cover the 12 miles or so.
Want to spoil yourself with an extra night away before catching your flight from Houston to Istanbul? Relax in a hotel near William P. Hobby Airport before your vacation officially begins. Consider one of these stays:
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 30 miles. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the center driving.
It'll take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
Reserve a hotel near IST if you're catching a late flight from Houston to Istanbul. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Houston to Istanbul has hit the runway, you can get to the city center in about 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 30 miles from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can also opt for public transport, which will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
You'll find some cozy hotels to drop your things at near SAW. Unwind after your flight from Houston to Istanbul at any of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Istanbul
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Houston to Istanbul is $268. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $609. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Lock in cheap tickets from Houston to Istanbul by booking 8 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
The cheapest month for tickets from Houston to Istanbul is April. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the lowest fare.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you from checking for cheap tickets from Houston to Istanbul every day.
Use filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Houston to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Houston to Istanbul. To steer clear of the crowds, go to Istanbul in February.
Before locking in your flight from Houston to Istanbul, consider the type of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 68ºF to 86ºF.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Houston to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 36ºF and 52ºF.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Istanbul right here. Explore these hotels after locking in your flight from Houston to Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just the start of the big attractions to put on your Istanbul to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Houston to Istanbul to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Istanbul, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.
