Flying from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 1 hour 30 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul.
Istanbul is one hour ahead of Athens, where Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is located. Istanbul runs on the UTC+3 timezone.
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 62 weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from ATH to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 22:00. Choose the first departure operated by Aegean Airlines at 00:40 if you want to get on your way earlier.
Allow plenty of time to catch your ATH to Istanbul flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're flying during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
Start your journey at ATH and fly nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That will be your arrival point when searching for Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Popular carriers that operate direct flights from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul include:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even explore a different city. When browsing for plane tickets from ATH to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG)
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of Athens, ATH can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour.
Have an early flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to ATH:
77.19% of flights that leave from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul flight is 46 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 86 €. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book seven months before you want to fly. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from ATH to Istanbul.
The best month for finding cheap Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul tickets is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from ATH to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 50 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top outlets you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from ATH to Istanbul can help you get the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is about 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 55 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your ATH to Istanbul flight:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and be on your way in a flash.
Call dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before securing your flights from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Istanbul offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty to do, while low season means you'll get cheaper hotel deals and fewer crowds.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket then if that's the weather you find most pleasant.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from ATH to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these options after you've booked your flight from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Istanbul:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are a couple of top-rated attractions to add to your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, top sights here include 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 major highlights starting with Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.