Traveling from Johannesburg to Istanbul: what you need to know
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is Johannesburg's main airport. Check out your options for booking a flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul departing from here.
When landing in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the chief entry points.
The average length of a direct Johannesburg to Istanbul flight is 10 hours.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is one hour ahead of Johannesburg.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are seven weekly departures to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul is with Turkish Airlines at 19:05. Choose the first JNB to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 17:55 to make the most of your first day in Istanbul.
To ensure you make your Johannesburg to Istanbul flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul
Currently, $288 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Istanbul. The cheapest price for a return flight is $538. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Score cheap Johannesburg to Istanbul flights by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Johannesburg to Istanbul is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Locking in a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when the price has dropped.
Find a cheap Johannesburg to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Set off from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) on a nonstop flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul. From JNB, you can fly straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Be on the lookout for promotions with Turkish Airlines. This airline offers direct Johannesburg to Istanbul plane tickets from JNB.
We make it simple to book a Johannesburg to Istanbul flight with a stopover. To see all your options leaving from O.R. Tambo International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
N'djili Airport (FIH)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
JNB is around 14 miles from central Johannesburg. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the center, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a handy hotel near O.R. Tambo International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul, these stays will put you moments from your check-in counter:
When it comes to the on-time performance of O.R. Tambo International Airport, 77.1% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 20 miles. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the center driving.
Getting to the center on public transport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Begin your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car to explore Istanbul and beyond.
To get the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your Johannesburg to Istanbul flight.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 19 miles from central Istanbul. Once you've disembarked your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city center in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the most popular month for flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, head to Istanbul in February.
When booking your Johannesburg to Istanbul tickets, consider what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 68ºF to 86ºF.
January has average temperatures of between 36ºF and 52ºF. Search for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are a couple of big attractions to put on your Istanbul travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've done Istanbul, now it's time to explore more of Türkiye (Turkey). Travel about 220 miles east to Ankara to tick off its leading attractions. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Izmir is another favorite destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 200 miles south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.
