Flying from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bucharest: what you need to know
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest.
Bucharest is one hour behind Istanbul, where Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located. Bucharest follows the UTC+2 timezone.
The most popular route is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP). There are 36 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from IST to OTP is the 00:15 TAROM option. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 23:35 with TAROM.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your IST to Bucharest flight.
If you're jetting off during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good general rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
You can book a direct Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest ticket. Start your journey at IST and end it at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP).
Book your ticket with Turkish Airlines. This well-known airline offers direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest.
We make it a breeze to book plane tickets from IST to Bucharest with a stopover. To see your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG)
IST is about 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your trip? Stay near IST. Whether you're catching an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Bucharest
54 € is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest flight. A return plane ticket right now is 133 €. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Get cheap flights from IST to Bucharest by booking seven months ahead. Based on our research, that's the best time for landing a bargain.
The best month for picking up cheap Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest tickets is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates that offer the lowest fares.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an even better deal on cheap flights from IST to Bucharest.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest.
Airports in Bucharest
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) is around 21 kilometres from central Bucharest. If you're grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 35 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 35 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest. Book one of these accommodation options near OTP instead:
Grab a Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport rental car and discover Bucharest and beyond with your own set of wheels. Klass Wagen, Pricecarz and Surprice are well-known companies you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport around one week in advance of your flight from IST to Bucharest.
Best time to go to Bucharest
Carefully consider your dates before booking your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest. The city buzzes in peak season, but prices are generally higher and major attractions can get crowded. Go to Bucharest in the low season for a more relaxed vibe.
Before booking an Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest plane ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Bucharest, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC (63ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from IST to Bucharest in January when temperatures average between -9ºC (16ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF).
More about Bucharest
After booking your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Bucharest, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these options your base for exploring Bucharest:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Old Town, Museum of the Palace of the Parliament and The Revolution Square Fountain are leading attractions which should be on any well-planned Bucharest itinerary.
Explore more of Romania
You've visited Bucharest, now it's time to explore other parts of Romania. Travel about 322 kilometres north to Iasi to tick off its top sights. From Palace of Culture to Saint Nicholas Church and Golia Monastery, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Cluj-Napoca is another must-experience destination in Romania and is around 322 kilometres north-west of Bucharest. No journey is complete without dropping by St. Michael's Church, Hoia Baciu Forest and Banffy Palace.