Flying from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul is 1 hour 25 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is one hour ahead of Heraklion, where Heraklion Airport is located.
The most popular route is from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can choose from three services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from HER to IST is the 06:00 Aegean Airlines service. If you're planning to fly out later on, the final departure is at 20:05 with Aegean Airlines.
For a relaxed start to your HER to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of 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.
If you're heading away during a major holiday or another peak period, allow extra time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.
Begin your trip at HER and fly nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to land when searching for Heraklion Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Aegean Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper plane ticket from HER to Istanbul. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Located around 3 kilometres from the centre of Heraklion, HER can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 15 minutes.
Have an early flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to HER:
80.18% of flights departing from Heraklion Airport reach their destination on schedule. Given its strong on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when taking off from HER.
How to find the cheapest flights from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way Heraklion Airport to Istanbul flight is 30 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 77 €. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Get cheap flights from HER to Istanbul by booking six months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
October is the best month for scoring an awesome deal on Heraklion Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
Locking in a cheap flight from HER to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Heraklion 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 about 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's usual tourist stops.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from HER 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 central Istanbul. Following your flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your HER to Istanbul flight:
Forget about public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Call dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means more savings and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive in peak season, but prices are usually higher and major attractions can get crowded. Go to Istanbul in the low season for a quieter vibe.
When booking your Heraklion Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about what kind of weather you prefer. 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 HER to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are major attractions which should feature on every Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include 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 journey is complete without a visit to Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.