Flying from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for around 2 hours 45 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is two hours ahead of Rome, where Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport is located.
With 28 flights a week between the two airports, Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 06:55. If you prefer to get more out of your day before leaving, the last flight from FCO to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 20:00.
To avoid missing your FCO to Istanbul flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. A good general rule for peak times? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Begin your trip at FCO and fly straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Top airlines that operate direct flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul include:
We make it easy to book plane tickets from FCO to Istanbul with a stopover. To see all your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. The most sought-after stopovers include:
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY)
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
The journey from central Rome to FCO takes around 50 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 23 kilometres in 40 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near FCO. Whether you're catching an early flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
When it comes to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport's on-time performance, data shows 70.57% of flights complete their journey on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul flight is 56 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 113 €. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To secure cheap flights from FCO to Istanbul, book your journey two months ahead of your planned departure.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest price across every month.
There's no need to check in daily to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's an extra saving on cheap flights from FCO to Istanbul.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino 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 typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Pick up 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 leading providers you can book with here.
Reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from FCO to Istanbul can help you lock in the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near SAW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your FCO to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
No time to waste? 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 get going in the blink of an eye.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before locking in your flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino 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 the off-season means you'll get better deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
Book a Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul plane ticket with a departure in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from FCO to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these options after locking in your flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your Istanbul travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) you should also see. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among the biggest draws.