Travelling from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 10 hours. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul.
Istanbul is six hours behind Seoul, where Incheon International Airport is located. Istanbul follows the UTC+3 timezone.
Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 19 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from ICN to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 23:20. Go for the first departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 00:10 if you want to get on your way earlier.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your ICN to Istanbul flight.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
You can book a direct Incheon International Airport to Istanbul ticket. Start your journey at ICN and end it at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
You can choose from a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul, such as:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially land a cheaper flight ticket from ICN to Istanbul. All you need to do is uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these connection hubs:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
The distance from central Seoul to ICN is roughly 48 kilometres. Check out travel apps like Google Maps for the fastest route, whether in your own car or with public transport.
Searching for a hotel close to ICN? If you're boarding an early flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
54.5% of flights that depart Incheon International Airport make it to their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to Istanbul
Rs53,099 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Incheon International Airport to Istanbul flight. A return flight ticket starts from Rs108,927. These prices can change depending on demand and availability.
Lock in cheap flights from ICN to Istanbul by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
The best month for finding cheap Incheon International Airport to Istanbul tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from ICN to Istanbul.
Find an affordable flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
Book a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul. Choose one of these options and make your first night all about rest:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and experience the lesser-explored corners of Istanbul and beyond.
For the lowest price, book your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your flight from ICN to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your ICN to Istanbul flight:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make picking up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car quick and easy. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before securing your flights from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Istanbul offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while low season brings cheaper deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
Before locking in your Incheon International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from ICN to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Incheon International Airport to Istanbul, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just the start of the top attractions to add to your Istanbul must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're looking to explore another major stop in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are key highlights.