Travelling from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG): What you need to know
There are a couple of airports you can take off from in Istanbul. Explore your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when organising your flight from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG).
The average time for a direct Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport flight is 2 hours 15 minutes.
Zagreb is two hours behind Istanbul. Franjo Tudman Airport is located in Zagreb, which runs on the UTC+1 timezone.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) is the most popular route. There are 18 direct weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, hop on the last flight with Turkish Airlines at 6:40pm. Opt for the first IST to ZAG departure with Turkish Airlines at 12:35am if getting there sooner works for you.
Leave enough time to catch your flight from Istanbul to ZAG. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During high season, allow for extended wait times and arrive earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international trips.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) provides a hassle-free way to reach your destination. Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) leave from this terminal.
You can lock in a direct flight from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport with Turkish Airlines. This top airline operates services from IST.
Turkish Airlines sees the most traveller bookings for flights from IST to ZAG.
IST is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and get a little more snooze time) by staying at one of these stays near Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
You can book a direct Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) plane ticket out of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Decide if leaving from SAW is a better fit for your trip.
You can board a direct flight from Istanbul to ZAG with Pegasus. This is one of the main airlines that operates this route out of SAW.
Pegasus is the top choice for passengers flying from SAW to ZAG.
Pegasus is the most punctual carrier flying from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to Franjo Tudman Airport, with 73.08% of its services landing on time.
You can reach SAW from central Istanbul in approximately 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Istanbul to ZAG flight, kick back in one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76.93%. This figure reflects how frequently flights that take off from this airport arrive on time.
About Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport. Make yourself comfy at one of these accommodation options near ZAG instead:
Travel at your own speed with a Franjo Tudman Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from AVIA Rent, Green Motion or OK Mobility and see more of Zagreb and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle around four weeks ahead of your Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport flight.
Getting from Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to central Zagreb
Franjo Tudman Airport to the centre of Zagreb is about 11 kilometres. If you're renting a car or taking a cab, do a little research to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times can vary depending on traffic conditions and the time of day.
Travelling by public transport typically takes 1 hour.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
52 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport. Return flights start at 121 €. These prices can change depending on demand.
Book six months before you want to fly. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Istanbul to ZAG.
The best month for picking up cheap Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport tickets is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Istanbul to ZAG is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Chase down a great fare on a flight from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
Picture the kind of break you want when planning the timing of your trip. February is the quietest month to go to Zagreb. August is when most people book flights from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG), which may be ideal if you'd rather travel when it's busy.
The warmest month in Zagreb is August, with temperatures ranging between 14ºC (57ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your Istanbul to ZAG plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January sees temperatures of between -7ºC (19ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Zagreb
Start your Zagreb trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Franjo Tudman Airport, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are loads of terrific things to do in Zagreb when you're ready to go sightseeing. Start exploring at Park Maksimir followed by Basilica of The Sacred Heart of Jesus and Upper Town.
Explore more of Croatia
Split is just one of the many places in Croatia waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Zagreb. Around 257 kilometres away to the south, top sights here include Diocletian's Palace, Old Split and Blue lagoon boat tour - Sentinels.
Rijeka is another well-known destination in Croatia and is around 137 kilometres west of Zagreb. No trip is complete without experiencing Teatro Fenice, Riječki Karneval and The St. Vitus Cathedral.
