Travelling from Brussels to Istanbul: what you need to know
There are two main airports to choose from in Brussels. Check out your options departing from Brussels Airport (BRU) or Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL) when searching for a flight from Brussels to Istanbul.
When working out where to arrive in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the primary gateways.
Around 3 hours 25 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Brussels to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul two hours ahead of Brussels.
The busiest route for flights from Brussels to Istanbul is from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can select from 30 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from BRU to IST is the 07:15 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the latest available service is at 19:00 with Turkish Airlines.
To ensure you get on your Brussels to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Flying over a peak time like July? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Brussels to Istanbul
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Brussels to Istanbul is Rs14,723. For a return flight on this route, the best price is Rs26,987. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares could change.
To secure cheap Brussels to Istanbul flights, reserve your trip two months before your departure date.
May is the best month for picking up an incredible deal on a plane ticket from Brussels to Istanbul. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Brussels to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Find an affordable Brussels to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Brussels
Brussels Airport (BRU)
You can find a direct flight from Brussels to Istanbul taking off from Brussels Airport (BRU). Set out from BRU and then hit the runway at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Reserve your Brussels to Istanbul plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This carrier is a popular option for direct flights from BRU.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Brussels to Istanbul flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Brussels Airport. Take a pause at one of these airports:
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
BRU is around 8 kilometres from central Brussels. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 40 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to Brussels Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Brussels to Istanbul, these stays will have you moments from your check-in counter:
When it comes to Brussels Airport's on-time performance, 71.97% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL)
Prefer to take off from Brussels S. Charleroi Airport (CRL)? This hub offers direct flights from Brussels to Istanbul, seamlessly connecting you to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can book a direct Brussels to Istanbul plane ticket with Pegasus. This is one of the leading carriers that operates this route out of CRL.
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Brussels to Istanbul flight, check out these options when leaving from Brussels S. Charleroi Airport:
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)
Skopje International Airport (SKP)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Brussels to CRL in around 1 hour 35 minutes. The terminal is roughly 48 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 55 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Brussels to Istanbul, stay in one of these hotels close to Brussels S. Charleroi Airport:
71.71% of flights taking off from Brussels S. Charleroi Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Brussels to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Travel at your own pace with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and chase adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
Lock in the best rate by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your trip.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Brussels to Istanbul has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near SAW. Tuck yourself in after your Brussels to Istanbul flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car quick and easy. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get first dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the most popular month for flights from Brussels to Istanbul. To skip the crowds, go to Istanbul in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your Brussels to Istanbul ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
Search for cheap flights from Brussels to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Brussels to Istanbul, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the top-rated attractions to add to your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep your itinerary busy. Start with popular sights like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are among the biggest draws.
