Travelling from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Kabul International Airport (KBL): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport is 4 hours 45 minutes.
Kabul is one hour 30 minutes ahead of Istanbul and is in the UTC+4:30 timezone.
Flights from IST to KBL start at 00:40 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The latest departure is at 23:55 with Kam Air. Overall, there are eight weekly Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport flights.
To ensure you catch your IST to KBL flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Flying during a peak month such as April? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Kam Air offers direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to check out the sights in Kabul — and maybe even more of Afghanistan if your schedule allows.
The airline that passengers book most often on this route is Kam Air.
Choose a stopover if you want to break up your flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' to look at all your options for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport. Dubai Airport is a top stopover on the IST to KBL route.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Kabul International Airport (KBL)
235 € is the lowest price for a one-way Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport flight. A return flight starts at 452 €. These fares may change depending on availability and demand.
It's usually smart to book in advance if you want to find cheap tickets from IST to KBL. That's because flight prices are based on demand, which tends to increase closer to departure.
The cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have a flexible schedule.
You don't need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment the price changes on cheap flights from IST to KBL.
Discover the perfect flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
To reach Istanbul Ataturk Airport from central Istanbul, it'll take about 50 minutes if you're planning to drive. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 48 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
The trip when using public transport typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to IST:
Arriving at Kabul International Airport (KBL)
Stay moments from the tarmac if you're landing on a late Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport flight. Kabul Star Hotel & Restaurant is a comfortable option near KBL. Or check in and enjoy some rest at Orhan Apartment before travelling to your final destination.
Getting from Kabul International Airport (KBL) to central Kabul
Kabul International Airport is roughly 2 kilometres from the centre of Kabul. The drive time takes about 5 minutes.
When to fly to Kabul International Airport (KBL)
The quietest month for a flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport is April, while June is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to visit Kabul based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.
When reserving your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Kabul International Airport, consider the type of weather you like. July is the warmest month in Kabul, with the temperature ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from IST to KBL in January. Average temperatures are between -12ºC (10ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF) then.
Explore more of Afghanistan
You've visited Kabul, now it's time to explore other parts of Afghanistan. Journey about 451 kilometres south-west to Kandahar to tick off its leading attractions. From First Fountain to Askarzai Advertising Co and Kharqa Sharif (The Shrine of Cloak), there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Around 121 kilometres east of Kabul, Jalalabad is another favourite stop in Afghanistan. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Siri-up-Aimarat Palace سراج المارت پارک, Mall mandaee tapa and Abdul Haq Park.