Travelling from Oslo to Istanbul: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can take off from in Oslo. Check out your options leaving from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) or Torp Sandefjord Airport (TRF) when planning your flight from Oslo to Istanbul.
When it comes to landing in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the chief entry points.
The average duration of a direct Oslo to Istanbul flight is 3 hours 55 minutes.
Istanbul is two hours ahead of Oslo and observes the UTC+3 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Oslo to Istanbul is from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can select from 18 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from OSL to IST is the 06:05 Norwegian Air Shuttle option. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the final scheduled service is at 18:40 with Turkish Airlines.
Give yourself enough time to make your Oslo to Istanbul flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months like June. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Oslo to Istanbul
Book five months before travelling. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Oslo to Istanbul flights.
Plan your trip for August. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on plane tickets from Oslo to Istanbul. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Oslo to Istanbul.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your Oslo to Istanbul flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Oslo
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL)
Set off from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) and fly straight through to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). If you're looking for a direct flight from Oslo to Istanbul out of OSL, those are your final stops.
You'll have your pick of airlines that offer direct Oslo to Istanbul plane tickets out of OSL. Claim your seat with one of these carriers:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even visit a new city. When searching for Oslo to Istanbul flights departing from Oslo Airport Gardermoen, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
OSL is about 40 kilometres from central Oslo. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 40 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 30 minutes.
After a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near Oslo Airport Gardermoen. Whether you're taking an early flight from Oslo to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Oslo Airport Gardermoen, data shows 71.98% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Torp Sandefjord Airport (TRF)
TRF is around 88 kilometres from central Oslo. It'll take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours 20 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Oslo to Istanbul? Unwind in a hotel near Torp Sandefjord Airport before your break officially starts. Consider one of these stays:
67% of flights taking off from Torp Sandefjord Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 32 kilometres. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Oslo to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are well-known companies you can book with here.
For the best deal, reserve your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your Oslo to Istanbul flight.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 31 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Oslo to Istanbul, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
After your flight from Oslo to Istanbul, settle in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or long cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Score the best price by reserving your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from Oslo to Istanbul, while April is the busiest. Work out the best time to go to Istanbul based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
When booking your Oslo to Istanbul tickets, consider what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Oslo to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Oslo to Istanbul, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, check out popular attractions including Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.
