Travelling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Istanbul is seven hours behind Cairns, where Cairns Airport is located. Istanbul runs on the UTC+3 timezone.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your CNS to Istanbul flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're heading away during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper plane ticket from CNS to Istanbul. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these connection hubs:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
CNS is about 5 kilometres from central Cairns. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your journey? Stay near CNS. Whether you're taking an early flight from Cairns Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are worth a look:
71.55% of flights leaving from Cairns Airport land at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cairns Airport to Istanbul flight is 473 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 1.069 €. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from CNS to Istanbul, book in advance. Airlines tend to offer lower fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Cairns Airport to Istanbul across the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from CNS to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Find a cheap flight from Cairns Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
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 using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Cairns Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top providers you can book with here.
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks before your flight from CNS to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is roughly 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Cairns Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
The trip will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your CNS to Istanbul flight:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Call dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your travel dates before booking your flight from Cairns Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive during peak season, but hotel prices are generally higher and top attractions can be busy. Visit Istanbul in the off-season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
Before booking a Cairns Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from CNS to Istanbul around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Cairns Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of accommodation options including:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just two of the major attractions to add to your Istanbul travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No trip is complete without visiting Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
