Travelling from Istanbul to Mexico City: what you need to know
Istanbul has two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to Mexico City leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
When choosing where to land in Mexico City, Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) are the major entry points.
Take a direct Istanbul to Mexico City flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 14 hours 35 minutes.
Mexico City's timezone is UTC-6, making Mexico City nine hours behind Istanbul.
With 11 flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Istanbul to Mexico City with Turkish Airlines at 01:45. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the latest flight from IST to MEX is with Turkish Airlines at 22:00.
Allow plenty of time to get on your Istanbul to Mexico City flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Mexico City
To score cheap Istanbul to Mexico City flights, reserve your trip two months ahead of your planned departure.
May is the best month for scoring a fantastic deal on a plane ticket from Istanbul to Mexico City. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Istanbul to Mexico City.
Lock in a cheap Istanbul to Mexico City flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can get a direct flight from Istanbul to Mexico City taking off from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Begin your journey at IST and arrive at Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX).
Lock in your Istanbul to Mexico City plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This airline is a top choice for direct flights from IST.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Istanbul to Mexico City flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular options:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Mexico City or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Istanbul to Mexico City flight, check out these options when setting off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
You can get to SAW from central Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to travel the 31 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not book another night away? Think about kicking back in one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 77%. This figure highlights how frequently flights departing from this airport land on time.
Arriving in Mexico City
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) to central Mexico City takes around 25 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 6 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes about 55 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Mexico City. Reserve one of these accommodation options near MEX instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Benito Juarez International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from INFINITY RENT, MEX or America and explore beyond Mexico City's usual tourist stops.
Booking your vehicle from Benito Juarez International Airport about four weeks ahead gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
As soon as your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Mexico City is approximately 32 kilometres from Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU).
The journey will take about 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport.
Holiday Inn & Suites Mexico Felipe Angeles Airport is a comfortable accommodation option within a short drive of NLU. Check in here after your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City and then put up the 'Do not disturb' sign to enjoy some uninterrupted rest.
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the availability and rates from Europcar, MEX and Keddy By Europcar.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride one week ahead of your arrival at NLU will save you money.
Best time to go to Mexico City
It's time to figure out your trip dates for your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City. July is the most popular month to travel to Mexico City. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Mexico City is April, with temperatures ranging between 10ºC (50ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Book your Istanbul to Mexico City ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January has average temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Mexico City around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Mexico City
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Mexico City, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Mexico City:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Zocalo, Chapultepec Park and National Museum of Anthropology are must-visits when exploring Mexico City.
Explore more of Mexico
Mexico City has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Mexico you'll want to see. Around 21 kilometres north-east of Mexico City, a visit to Ecatepec de Morelos will keep your itinerary busy. Don't miss top attractions like Grupo Scout 360 Aztlan, mirador del Valle Park and Kinder casanueva.
Guadalajara is another favourite destination in Mexico and is around 467 kilometres west of Mexico City. No trip is complete without dropping by Guadalajara Cathedral, Teatro Degollado and Portales Tlaquepaque Park.