Flying from Istanbul to Philadelphia: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Istanbul. Explore your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when searching for a flight from Istanbul to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is where you'll be landing in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia's timezone is UTC-4, making Philadelphia seven hours behind Istanbul.
To ensure you don't miss your Istanbul to Philadelphia flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Philadelphia
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Istanbul to Philadelphia flights if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Istanbul to Philadelphia throughout the entire month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Istanbul to Philadelphia by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a new low fare is offered.
Save money on your Istanbul to Philadelphia flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Istanbul to Philadelphia flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
IST is around 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Philadelphia, these stays will put you moments from your check-in counter:
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 Philadelphia flight, here's where you can stop when setting off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
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 cover the 31 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away? Consider staying at one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Philadelphia:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance of 77%. This figure gives an insight into how often flights departing from this airport arrive on schedule.
Arriving in Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is approximately 11 kilometres from the centre of Philadelphia. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 15 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul to Philadelphia. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PHL instead:
Grab a Philadelphia International Airport rental car and explore Philadelphia and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget are leading providers you can book with here.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from Philadelphia International Airport around three weeks before your trip.
The street address for PHL is 8500 Essington Ave.
Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN)
The centre of Philadelphia is about 48 kilometres from Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN). Once your flight from Istanbul to Philadelphia has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 40 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 45 minutes or so.
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or waiting forever for a cab. Pick up a Trenton-Mercer Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare availability and rates from Budget, National and Enterprise.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Booking your ride four weeks before your arrival at TTN can land you a better rate.
Trenton-Mercer Airport can be found at Scotch Road, Terminal Building.
Best time to go to Philadelphia
February is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Philadelphia, while August is the most popular. Figure out the best time to visit Philadelphia based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Philadelphia is July, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Lock in your Istanbul to Philadelphia ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Philadelphia in January when temperatures average between -7ºC (19ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF).
More about Philadelphia
After booking your flight from Istanbul to Philadelphia, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Philadelphia:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art are must-visits when exploring Philadelphia.
Explore more of United States
New York is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Philadelphia. Around 129 kilometres to the north-east, top sights here include Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
If you're eager to discover another side of United States, head for Boston, roughly 434 kilometres north-east of Philadelphia. Freedom Trail, Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum are the start of reasons to visit.