Travelling from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI): what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to Edinburgh Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 4 hours 30 minutes.
Edinburgh's timezone is UTC+0, which makes Edinburgh three hours behind Istanbul.
Flights from IST to EDI start at 07:10 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The last departure is at 13:55 with Turkish Airlines. In total, there are 11 weekly Istanbul Airport to Edinburgh Airport flights.
To ensure you catch your IST to EDI flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Flying during a peak time like August? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer lines at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Turkish Airlines is your gateway to exploring Edinburgh (and maybe even some other exciting corners of the United Kingdom!). Check out the direct flights from Istanbul Airport to Edinburgh Airport offered by this popular carrier.
The majority of travellers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines on this route.
If you'd like to break up your flight, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Istanbul Airport to Edinburgh Airport. These are the top stopovers between IST and EDI:
Brussels International Airport
Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Prague Airport
Handy information about Istanbul Airport (IST)
To reach Istanbul Airport from central Istanbul, it'll take about 45 minutes if you're travelling by car. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 40 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Expect a trip time of around 1 hour 10 minutes when using public transport.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul Airport to Edinburgh Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to IST:
Arriving at Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Reserve a hotel close to EDI if you're on a late Istanbul Airport to Edinburgh Airport flight. Settle into one of these options and make your arrival easier:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Edinburgh Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Green Motion, Drivalia or Hertz and experience the lesser-explored corners of Edinburgh and beyond.
To get the best deal, book your ride from Edinburgh Airport about one week before you travel.
Getting from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to central Edinburgh
Edinburgh Airport is approximately 13 kilometres from central Edinburgh. The drive time takes around 25 minutes.
It'll take around 35 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
When to fly to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Istanbul Airport to Edinburgh Airport. July is the most popular month to visit Edinburgh. If you want a quieter vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Edinburgh is July, with the temperature ranging between 9ºC (48ºF) and 20ºC (68ºF). Book your flights from Istanbul Airport to Edinburgh Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF). Search for cheap tickets from IST to EDI sometime around then if you like cooler conditions.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
You've seen Edinburgh, now it's time to explore more of the United Kingdom. Journey about 290 kilometres south to Manchester to tick off its leading attractions. From Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour to The Homes of Football and Museum of Science and Industry, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you're ready to explore another major destination in the United Kingdom, head for Birmingham, roughly 402 kilometres south of Edinburgh. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and Bournville Experience are among the biggest draws.