Travelling from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Around 6 hours is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul.
Indira Gandhi International Airport is located in New Delhi. Following the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is two hours 30 minutes behind New Delhi.
The busiest route is from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Take your pick of 14 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from DEL to IST is the 06:20 Turkish Airlines option. If you're planning to fly out later on, the final departure is at 06:55 with Turkish Airlines.
To avoid rushing for your DEL to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
If you're heading away during a major holiday or another peak period, allow for even more time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Start your trip at DEL and travel nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul tickets.
IndiGo is a well-known carrier that offers direct flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even explore another city. When searching for plane tickets from DEL to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Located around 10 kilometres from central New Delhi, DEL can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 55 minutes.
Have an early flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to DEL:
Of the flights that depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport, 67.17% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul flight is 146 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 224 €. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book nine months before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from DEL to Istanbul.
Plan your trip for January. That's the best month for landing an awesome deal on Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the cheapest price across every month.
Locking in a cheap flight from DEL to Istanbul couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Travel at your own speed with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and find adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your flight from DEL to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is roughly 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. After your flight from Indira Gandhi International 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 travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
You'll find some comfortable places to rest your head close to SAW. Settle in and get cosy after your DEL to Istanbul flight at one of these well-located options:
The quickest 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 make a speedy getaway.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will help you save.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Visit Istanbul during high season if you want a bustling atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are usually higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul during low season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
When booking your Indira Gandhi International 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).
Look for cheap tickets from DEL to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Istanbul:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just a couple of the top attractions to put on your Istanbul must-do list. 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 discovered after you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, well-known attractions 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). Start your sightseeing at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
