Travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): What you need to know
Kuala Lumpur is home to a couple of airports that set the stage for your next getaway. Check out your options for booking a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) heading out from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) or Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB).
The average time for a direct Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight is 11 hours.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is five hours behind Kuala Lumpur. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul.
With 18 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 4:35am. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the last departure from KUL to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 11:45pm.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Kuala Lumpur to IST. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to prevent a last-minute sprint to your gate.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing room. The recommendation for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Get there in one go from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). Nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) operate from here.
When departing from KUL, you can catch a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with Turkish Airlines.
Most travellers choose to book seats with Turkish Airlines between KUL and IST.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and maybe even tour another city. When searching for cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to IST departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Located around 64 kilometres from the centre of Kuala Lumpur, KUL can be reached in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour.
Booked an early flight from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some bonus sleep) by picking one of these stays near Kuala Lumpur International Airport:
58.65% of flights that depart Kuala Lumpur International Airport reach their destination on schedule.
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
On public transport, you can travel from central Kuala Lumpur to SZB in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The terminal is roughly 24 kilometres away, and making the journey by car takes approximately 25 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before your Kuala Lumpur to IST flight, unwind in one of these hotels near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport:
67.97% of flights taking off from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport meet their expected arrival time.
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk 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.
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport to central Istanbul is around 32 kilometres. If you're getting a cab or renting a car, plan ahead to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times will vary depending on traffic and the time of day.
Travelling by public transport takes around 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Rs71,685 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Return flights start from Rs124,595. These prices may change based on demand and availability.
Book one month before you want to travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur to IST.
June is when you're most likely to find a good deal on a Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport ticket. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Stay on top of deals for flight tickets from Kuala Lumpur to IST by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Uncover a great deal on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
August is the busiest month for flights from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Visit Istanbul in February for a more low-key escape.
Before locking in your Kuala Lumpur to IST flight ticket, consider the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these options after locking in your flight from Kuala Lumpur to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
You'll find loads of terrific things to do in Istanbul when you're ready to see the sights. Head straight for Hagia Sophia History Museum followed by Hagia Sophia Museum and Historic Areas of Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Eskisehir is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Istanbul. Around 225 kilometres away to the south-east, its best attractions include Eskişehir, Eskişehir and Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri.
If you want to check out another major destination in Türkiye (Turkey), consider Adapazarı, roughly 153 kilometres east of Istanbul. Ozanlar Ulu Cami, Güllük Cami and Valide Cami are among its highlights.
