Flying from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Around 3 hours 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul.
Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport is located in Lyon. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is two hours ahead of Lyon.
With 15 flights a week between the two airports, Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Transavia France operates the earliest flight at 06:05. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the latest departure from LYS to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 19:35.
To avoid missing your LYS to Istanbul flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Planning to travel during a peak time like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul ticket. Begin your trip at LYS and land at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Choose from a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul. Get on board with any of these:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even tick off a new city. When browsing for flight tickets from LYS to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Cote D'Azur Airport (NCE)
Travelling from central Lyon to LYS takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want an easy start to your travels? Stay near LYS. Whether you've booked an early flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are a convenient choice:
Of all flights departing from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport, 69.6% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport (LYS) to Istanbul
Rs14,520 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul flight. A return flight ticket right now is Rs34,037. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Book five months before you travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from LYS to Istanbul.
Plan your trip for September. That's the best month for landing an epic deal on Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Save time looking for cheap flights from LYS to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Explore without limits with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and find adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your flight from LYS to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery 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).
The journey will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your LYS to Istanbul flight:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and set off in the blink of an eye.
Lock in the best price by booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your travel dates before securing your flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive during high season, but hotel rates are often higher and major attractions can be busy. Visit Istanbul in the off-season if you want a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from LYS to Istanbul around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Lyon Saint-Exupery International Airport to Istanbul, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are popular attractions which should feature on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No trip is complete without visiting Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
