Flying from King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Around 4 hours 25 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Riyadh.
Take your pick of 103 weekly King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights. The 01:10 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest available. Saudia operates the latest service of the day at 22:55.
To ensure you get on your RUH to IST flight, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak month such as July? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
You can travel nonstop to Istanbul, Türkiye (Turkey). Take off with one of these carriers that operate direct flights from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Flyadeal tops the list for bookings on this route.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between RUH and IST include:
Cairo International Airport
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport
Queen Alia International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight is Rs18,392. A round-trip plane ticket right now is Rs33,043. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
To score cheap tickets from RUH to IST, book your journey five months before your departure.
The cheapest month for flights from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have flexible dates.
You won't have to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's a new deal on cheap flights from RUH to IST.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about King Khaled International Airport (RUH)
86.76% of flights leaving King Khaled International Airport reach their destination according to schedule. Given its strong on-time stats, you're unlikely to be delayed when jetting out of RUH.
King Khaled International Airport is about 40 kilometres from central Riyadh. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Get your travels off to a relaxed start by staying near RUH. Whether you're catching an early flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these stays have you covered:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're getting in on a late King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing shortly after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
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 to explore Istanbul and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks before your trip.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 50 minutes to drive to the centre.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. April is the most popular month to head to Istanbul. If you'd like a more laid-back vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from King Khaled International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
Search for cheap tickets from RUH to IST in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, its best attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another standout destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without seeing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.