Travelling from Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 3 hours 10 minutes.
Najaf and Istanbul share the UTC+3 timezone. That means there's no time difference to consider.
You can choose from six weekly Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights. The 05:15 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest flight available. Iraqi Airways operates the last service of the day at 17:00.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your NJF to IST flight. 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.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will give you ample time for security and boarding.
Iraqi Airways offers direct flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to tick off the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if your schedule allows.
Iraqi Airways is the top choice for travellers on this route.
If you'd like to explore another city along the way, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. These are the top stopovers between NJF and IST:
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport
Dubai Airport
Sharjah International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Rs99,497 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Return flights start at Rs143,732. These fares can change depending on demand.
Book five months before you travel. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from NJF to IST.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, try out the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from NJF to IST by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF)
77.99% of flights that depart Al-Ashraf International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
Al-Ashraf International Airport is around 23 kilometres from central Najaf. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Have an early flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Stay at a hotel close to NJF, such as Royal Eagle Hotel. Granada Hotel will also put you moments from check-in.
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Book a hotel near IST if you're on a late Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Choose one of these options and make your arrival easier:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are leading providers you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is approximately 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. The drive time takes about 50 minutes.
It typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. April is the most popular month to head to Istanbul. If you're after a quieter vibe, go in February.
When booking your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, think about the kind of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Search for cheap tickets from NJF to IST sometime around then if you like cooler conditions.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've seen Istanbul, now it's time to discover other corners of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey around 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its must-visit sights. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you're looking to explore another great destination in Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are among the biggest draws.
