Travelling from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport (ABJ) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 7 hours 25 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul.
Istanbul is 3 hours ahead of Abidjan, where Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport is located. Istanbul operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport (ABJ) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 7 departures a week to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from ABJ to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 02:05. Go for the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 00:10 if you want to get going early.
To ensure you get on your flight from ABJ to Istanbul, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months such as August and other peak periods. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
You can catch a nonstop flight from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul that touches down at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a well-known airline that operates direct flights from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for flights from ABJ to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Kotoka International Airport (ACC)
Mohamed V International Airport (CMN)
If you have a passport from Ivory Coast, you will need an embassy visa to visit Türkiye (Turkey). This applies if you're booking a cheap ticket from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul for tourism purposes. Requirements may change if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines ahead of booking and definitely before you fly.
To reach ABJ from central Abidjan, it'll take about 35 minutes if you're going by car. Of course, this depends on traffic. It's approximately 21 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Booked an early flight from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near ABJ:
How to find the cheapest flights from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport (ABJ) to Istanbul
353 € is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul. A return flight starts at 562 €. These fares can change depending on availability and demand.
To snag cheap tickets from ABJ to Istanbul, reserve your journey 9 months ahead of your departure date.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll get in touch right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of looking for cheap tickets from ABJ to Istanbul every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 50 minutes.
It takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
Book a hotel near IST if you're taking a late flight from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul. Check in to one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is roughly 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've disembarked your flight from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 57 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places where you can rest ahead of your adventure near SAW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your flight from ABJ to Istanbul at any of these perfectly located options:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month to hop on a flight from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the best time to go to Istanbul, consider whether you prefer a lively vibe or a quieter pace.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your flights from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap flights from ABJ 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
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-do's during your Istanbul adventure.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Felix Houphouet Boigny Airport to Istanbul to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to know about car rentals in Istanbul, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.
