Flying from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for around 3 hours 45 minutes.
Barcelona-El Prat Airport is located in Barcelona. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is two hours ahead of Barcelona.
The busiest route is from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can choose from 30 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get on your way as soon as you can, the earliest flight from BCN to IST is the 06:15 Vueling service. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 18:30 with Turkish Airlines.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your BCN to Istanbul flight.
Taking off during a peak time like a bank holiday? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Begin your trip at BCN and fly nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to land when searching for Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Pick from a variety of airlines operating direct flights from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul. Reserve your trip with one of these:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper plane ticket from BCN to Istanbul. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
BCN is around 13 kilometres from central Barcelona. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 35 minutes.
Have an early flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near BCN:
When it comes to Barcelona-El Prat Airport's on-time performance, 79.12% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to Istanbul
50 € is currently the best price for a one-way Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul flight. Return plane tickets start at 109 €. These fares may change depending on demand and availability.
Get cheap flights from BCN to Istanbul by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
The best month for landing cheap Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Picking up a cheap flight from BCN to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you as soon as the price has dropped.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes about 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Travel at your own pace with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and find adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks before your flight from BCN to Istanbul can help you lock in the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Following your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Following your BCN to Istanbul flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport timetables or waiting in a long cab line. Pick up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Get first dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your trip dates before locking in your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive in high season, but prices are generally higher and top attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Istanbul in the low season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.
When booking your Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from BCN to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to Istanbul:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just two of the big attractions to add to your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading sights like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). No visit is complete without checking out Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.