Travelling from Istanbul to Kars Airport (KSY): What you need to know
Begin your journey at one of Istanbul's main airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Check out your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Kars Airport (KSY) taking off from either of these.
Expect to be in the air for 2 hours 10 minutes. That's the average time for a direct Istanbul to Kars Airport flight.
Kars Airport is located in Kars. The city's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Istanbul.
With 11 direct flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Kars Airport (KSY) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 8:25am. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the latest flight from IST to KSY is with Turkish Airlines at 6:15pm.
To ensure you catch your flight from Istanbul to KSY, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
If you're heading away during a bank holiday or other peak period, allow for even more time. Arrive two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can find a direct flight from Istanbul to Kars Airport (KSY) out of Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Kars Airport with Turkish Airlines. This well-known airline operates departures from IST.
The airline most travellers choose when flying between IST and KSY is Turkish Airlines.
Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Istanbul to Kars Airport? Avoid the mad dash to the terminal (and sneak in some bonus sleep) by staying at one of these hotels close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Prefer to leave from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? Direct Istanbul to Kars Airport (KSY) plane tickets can be booked from here.
AJet has direct flights from Istanbul to KSY departing from SAW. Book your favourite seat and reach your destination without any detours.
AJet is the top choice for passengers flying from SAW to KSY.
With 65.52% of services landing as planned, Pegasus is the most punctual carrier flying between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Kars Airport.
SAW is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. It takes 55 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your Istanbul to KSY flight? Unwind in a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your holiday officially begins. These stays have your key waiting:
When it comes to flight punctuality, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 76.93%.
About Kars Airport (KSY)
Reserve a hotel near KSY if you're catching a late flight from Istanbul to Kars Airport. Select one of these accommodation options and call it a night faster:
Pick up a Kars Airport rental car and explore Kars and beyond with your own set of wheels. OTOTUR, Avis and Nissa Car Hire are leading providers to choose from here.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle around one week ahead of your Istanbul to Kars Airport flight.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Kars Airport (KSY)
25 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Kars Airport. A return flight starts at 52 €. These fares can change based on availability.
Book 11 months before your departure date. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Istanbul to KSY.
April is when you're most likely to land a good deal on an Istanbul to Kars Airport ticket. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Save time looking for cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to KSY by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Find an affordable flight from Istanbul to Kars Airport by using the search filters. Choose 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 Kars Airport (KSY)
September is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul to Kars Airport (KSY). Visit Kars in April for a more laid-back experience.
Lock in an Istanbul to KSY plane ticket departing in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Kars to range from 9ºC (48ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Kars Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -17ºC (1ºF) and 0ºC (32ºF).
More about Kars
Start your Kars trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Kars Airport, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
There are loads of fantastic things to do in Kars when you're ready to sightsee. Kick off your exploring at Kars Fethiye Camii followed by Kars Castle and The Armenian St. Pirkitch Church.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Kars has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. Around 177 kilometres south-west of Kars, a visit to Erzurum will keep your itinerary packed. Don't miss top attractions like Mount Palandöken, Citadel and Erzurum Saat Kulesi.
Van is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 225 kilometres south of Kars. No journey is complete without seeing Tarihi Van Şehri, Karmravank Armenian Monastery and Sanat Parkı- Park a Hûnerê.
