Flying from Istanbul to Brussels Airport (BRU): What you need to know
Get your trip planning started by working out where you'll board your flight from Istanbul to Brussels Airport (BRU). Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the two main airports in Istanbul.
Expect to be in the air for 3 hours 30 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct Istanbul to Brussels Airport flight.
The timezone in Brussels is UTC+1, which is two hours behind Istanbul. Brussels Airport is located in Brussels.
With 30 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Airport (IST) to Brussels Airport (BRU) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 7:20am. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the last flight from IST to BRU is with Turkish Airlines at 8:25pm.
Your flight from Istanbul to BRU won't wait if you're late, so get to the airport with time to spare. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're travelling internationally.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months like August and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) provides a hassle-free way to reach your destination. Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Brussels Airport (BRU) operate out of this terminal.
You'll find a direct flight from Istanbul to Brussels Airport with Turkish Airlines. This popular carrier offers services from IST.
Most travellers prefer to fly with Turkish Airlines between IST and BRU.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a travel break and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for cheap flights from Istanbul to BRU leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Geneva Airport (GVA)
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your break? Stay near Istanbul Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Istanbul to Brussels Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
You can book a direct Istanbul to Brussels Airport (BRU) plane ticket with departures from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Work out whether leaving from SAW works best for your plans.
Board your direct flight from Istanbul to BRU with AJet. This is one of the top airlines that operates this route out of SAW.
On the SAW to BRU route, AJet is the go-to airline for most travellers.
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to Brussels Airport. Check out these connections between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and BRU:
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
On public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 1 hour 5 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your Istanbul to BRU flight? Relax in a hotel near Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your break officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance of 68%. This figure shows how often flights that take off from this airport make it to their destination on time.
About Brussels Airport (BRU)
Have a late flight from Istanbul to Brussels Airport? Don't let it leave you bleary-eyed. Stay at one of these hotels near BRU and be in snooze mode sooner:
Booking your vehicle around three weeks in advance of your Istanbul to Brussels Airport flight can help you get the lowest rate.
Getting from Brussels Airport (BRU) to central Brussels
Brussels Airport to central Brussels is roughly 8 kilometres. If you're getting a taxi or renting a car, plan in advance to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times vary based on traffic and the time of day.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 20 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Brussels Airport (BRU)
At the moment, 63 € is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Brussels Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is 114 €. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Istanbul to BRU. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest Istanbul to Brussels Airport tickets throughout the month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Stay on top of deals for plane tickets from Istanbul to BRU by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Lock in a cheap flight from Istanbul to Brussels Airport by using the search filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Brussels Airport (BRU)
December is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Brussels Airport (BRU), while September is the most popular. Find the best time to go to Brussels based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Istanbul to BRU plane ticket, consider the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Brussels, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Brussels Airport in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -2ºC (28ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF).
More about Brussels
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Brussels right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Istanbul to Brussels Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Grand Place, Atomium and Royal Palace of Brussels are top sights which should feature on any good Brussels itinerary.
Explore more of Belgium
Ostend is just one of the many cities in Belgium waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Brussels. Around 113 kilometres away to the west, well-known attractions include Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, The Crystal Ship and Mu.ZEE.
Around 105 kilometres east of Brussels, Verviers is another essential stop in Belgium. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Hôtel communal ou Ancienne Halle - Monument classé, Musée d'Archéologie et du Folklore and Musée des Beaux Arts et de la Ceramique.