Flying from Istanbul to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's main airports.
When landing in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the major entry points.
The average duration of a direct Istanbul to Los Angeles flight is 13 hours 55 minutes.
Los Angeles is ten hours behind Istanbul and follows the UTC-7 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). You can select from 15 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from IST to LAX is the 08:00 Turkish Airlines option. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 18:40 with Turkish Airlines.
Leave plenty of time to get on your Istanbul to Los Angeles flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles
Book three months before you want to fly. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Istanbul to Los Angeles flights.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Los Angeles. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Istanbul to Los Angeles flights.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Set off from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) on a nonstop flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles. From IST, you can fly directly to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Turkish Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct Istanbul to Los Angeles plane tickets leaving from IST.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even explore another city. When searching for Istanbul to Los Angeles flights leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL)
IST is around 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 50 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 45 minutes.
Have an early flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your Istanbul to Los Angeles flight. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever you decide to do, here's where you can stop between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Los Angeles:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL)
On public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 31 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 55 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles, stay in one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance of 77%. This figure gives an insight into how frequently flights that depart from this airport reach their destination on time.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 19 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 30 minutes.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes about 55 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near LAX:
Pick up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car and explore Los Angeles and beyond with your own set of wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are top providers you can book with here.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from Los Angeles International Airport about one week before your departure date.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Central Los Angeles is located around 29 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Once your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 35 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
After your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles, unwind at a hotel close to VNY. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Pick up a Van Nuys Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare availability and rates from Budget, Dollar and Hertz.
Pick the vehicle you actually want, not just what's available, by reserving your ride from VNY ahead of your arrival. You'll also avoid last-minute price hikes, especially when the airport is busy.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
May is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles, while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Los Angeles based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Istanbul to Los Angeles tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Los Angeles, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC to 32ºC.
February has average temperatures of between 6ºC and 26ºC. Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles, browse our selection of hotels including:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are must-visits when exploring Los Angeles.
Explore more of United States
You've seen Los Angeles, now it's time to explore more of United States. Travel about 177 kilometres south-east to San Diego to tick off its popular sights. From San Diego Zoo to USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego, your itinerary will be busy.
San Jose is another favourite destination in United States and is around 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. No journey is complete without visiting Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.