Travelling from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Istanbul Airport (IST): what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 20 minutes.
Ankara and Istanbul are in the UTC+3 timezone. This means there's no time difference to consider.
Flights from ESB to IST start from 00:55 — the first with Turkish Airlines. The latest departure is at 23:55 with Turkish Airlines. In total, there are 113 weekly Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport flights.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your ESB to IST flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
Travelling during a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to see the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if time allows.
Most passengers choose to travel with Turkish Airlines on this route.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or perhaps see a new city along the way. Check out these options between ESB and IST:
Antalya Airport
Izmir Airport
Ercan Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Istanbul Airport (IST)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport flight is Rs8,583. A round-trip ticket right now is Rs16,848. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To secure cheap tickets from ESB to IST, book your journey 11 months before your departure.
The cheapest month for flights from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have flexible travel dates.
Picking up cheap flights from ESB to IST is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport.
Handy information about Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB)
78% of flights that depart Ankara Esenboga Airport make it to their destination on time.
Ankara Esenboga Airport is around 29 kilometres from central Ankara. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
You can expect a journey time of around 50 minutes on public transport.
Need a handy hotel near ESB? If you're catching an early flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Istanbul Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the best deal by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Airport around two weeks before your departure date.
When to fly to Istanbul Airport (IST)
The quietest month for a flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport is March, while August is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Istanbul based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul Airport, consider the type of weather you like. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from ESB to IST in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.