Travelling from Istanbul to Johannesburg: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg. Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's main airports.
Hop off the plane at Johannesburg's chief entry point, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB).
Around 9 hours 50 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Istanbul to Johannesburg flight.
Johannesburg's timezone is UTC+2, making Johannesburg one hour behind Istanbul.
The most popular route for flights from Istanbul to Johannesburg is from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB). You can select from seven weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from IST to JNB is the 01:50 Turkish Airlines option. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 02:00 with Turkish Airlines.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your Istanbul to Johannesburg flight. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Johannesburg
Book 11 months before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Istanbul to Johannesburg flights.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for landing great bargains on plane tickets from Istanbul to Johannesburg. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Getting a cheap flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Istanbul to Johannesburg flights.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg, you can leave from Istanbul Airport (IST). Fly from IST to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) in one continuous trip.
Look out for promotions with Turkish Airlines. This airline offers direct Istanbul to Johannesburg plane tickets out of IST.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even explore another city. When browsing Istanbul to Johannesburg flights departing from Istanbul Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Addis Ababa Airport (ADD)
Cape Town Airport (CPT)
IST is around 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Istanbul Airport:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Break up your Istanbul to Johannesburg flight with a stop so you can freshen up or tick another place off your list. Top stopovers between Istanbul Sabiha Airport and Johannesburg include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
SAW is about 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It takes 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg, stay in one of these hotels near Istanbul Sabiha Airport:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport has an on-time performance of 68%. This figure provides insight into how frequently flights that take off from this airport land at their destination on time.
Arriving in Johannesburg
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB)
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to central Johannesburg takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 23 kilometres away.
Getting there on public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
Book a hotel close to JNB if you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Carwiz, Alamo or Green Motion and explore beyond Johannesburg's main sights.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport around three weeks in advance of your Istanbul to Johannesburg flight.
Lanseria Airport (HLA)
Central Johannesburg is around 32 kilometres from Lanseria Airport (HLA). As soon as your flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 45 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to HLA. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Lanseria Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from First - Car Rental, Tempest - Car Rental or Firefly powered by Hertz and be on your way in a flash.
Get first dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from HLA four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a wider range of vehicles.
Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport (QRA)
Hop off your flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg and head for your hotel or start exploring right away. Central Johannesburg is about 11 kilometres from Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport (QRA).
Go from the arrivals hall to your hotel with no interruptions by grabbing a Johannesburg Randgermiston Airport rental car. You can book a set of wheels from trusted companies here like Avis and Budget.
If you'd like a specific type of vehicle, booking early increases your chances of getting what you want. Secure your ride from QRA at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg.
Best time to go to Johannesburg
April is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul to Johannesburg. To skip the crowds, visit Johannesburg in March.
Book a Istanbul to Johannesburg ticket departing in January if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Johannesburg to range from 15ºC to 30ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 3ºC and 20ºC. Look for cheap flights from Istanbul to Johannesburg around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Johannesburg
Start your Johannesburg trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg, browse our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Apartheid Museum, Nelson Mandela Statue and Top of Africa are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned Johannesburg itinerary.
Explore more of South Africa
Soweto is just one of the many places in South Africa waiting to be discovered after you've seen Johannesburg. Around 21 kilometres to the west, popular attractions include Soweto, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Mandela's House.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in South Africa, consider Pretoria, about 56 kilometres north of Johannesburg. Nelson Mandela Statue, Ditsong National Museum of Natural History and Idube Game Reserve are the start of reasons to visit.
