Travelling from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for around 1 hour 26 minutes.
Istanbul is 1 hour ahead of Athens, where Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is located. Istanbul operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
With 211 flights a week between the two airports, Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Aegean Airlines operates the earliest flight at 00:40. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the last flight from ATH to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 21:50.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight from ATH to Istanbul. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a popular month such as August? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Nonstop flights from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is where you'll step off the plane.
Pick from a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul. Book your ticket with one of these:
We make it a cinch to book a flight from ATH to Istanbul that includes a stopover. To see your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight offering a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG)
Sofia Airport (SOF)
If you hold a passport from Greece and are travelling to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may differ based on the reason for your trip and can be subject to change. For the latest rules, check with your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before reserving a cheap ticket from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul.
Travelling from central Athens to ATH takes about 59 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 37 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these stays near ATH:
How to find the cheapest flights from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul
P2,955 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul. A return flight starts from P5,397. These prices may change based on demand and availability.
Book 3 months before you travel. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to find cheap tickets from ATH to Istanbul.
November is the cheapest month for tickets from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll get in touch right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you the hassle of looking for cheap tickets from ATH to Istanbul every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is about 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there by public transport.
Consider booking a hotel close to IST if you're catching a late flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul. Check in to one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 57 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After your flight from ATH to Istanbul, tuck yourself in at a hotel near SAW. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month to board a flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to go to Istanbul, consider whether you prefer a lively vibe or a quieter pace.
Lock in your flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul for August to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap flights from ATH to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
After locking in your flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are a couple of leading attractions to put on your Istanbul must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and travel at your own pace. We find deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.