Flying from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is 4 hours 55 minutes.
Istanbul is one hour behind Abu Dhabi and is in the UTC+3 timezone.
Take your pick of 34 weekly Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights. The 01:30 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest you can take. Etihad Airways operates the latest service of the day at 09:30.
Your AUH to IST flight won't wait if you're late, so show up at the airport on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're travelling internationally.
During popular months such as February, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
Etihad Airways offers direct flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to check out the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if you have time.
The majority of travellers choose to travel with Etihad Airways on this route.
Think about adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or perhaps see a new city along the way. Here are some options between AUH and IST:
Kuwait International Airport
Hamad International Airport
Bahrain International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight is Rs34,851. A return plane ticket right now is Rs63,622. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.
Book six months before you travel. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from AUH to IST.
The cheapest month for flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have flexible travel dates.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from AUH to IST.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
When it comes to the on-time performance of Abu Dhabi International Airport, 78.54% of flights arrive within the expected timeframe.
To reach Abu Dhabi International Airport from central Abu Dhabi, it'll take around 25 minutes if you're travelling by car. Of course, this depends on traffic. It's approximately 32 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Expect a journey time of about 1 hour 30 minutes when using public transport.
Catching an early flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to AUH:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Book a hotel near IST if you're taking a late Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular providers to choose from here.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks before your travel date.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes around 1 hour 45 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The quietest month for a flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is February, while April is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.
When reserving your flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, consider the type of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from AUH to IST in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading sights like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.