Flying from Milan to Istanbul: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when planning your flight from Milan to Istanbul. Check out your options for jetting out of Milan from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) and Milan Linate Airport (LIN).
When it comes to working out where to arrive in Istanbul, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are the chief entry points.
Take a direct Milan to Istanbul flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 2 hours 50 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul two hours ahead of Milan.
With 28 flights a week between the two airports, Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Milan to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines at 06:50. If you prefer to make the most of your day before jetting off, the latest flight from MXP to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 20:10.
To ensure you make it on your Milan to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling over a peak time such as July? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Milan to Istanbul
Lock in cheap Milan to Istanbul flights by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for finding a bargain.
Plan your trip for June. That's the best month for landing the biggest deals on plane tickets from Milan to Istanbul. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Milan to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Milan to Istanbul flights.
Flying from Milan
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
You can book a direct flight from Milan to Istanbul leaving from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). Start your journey at MXP and end it at Istanbul Airport (IST).
Reserve your Milan to Istanbul plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This carrier is a top pick for direct flights from MXP.
We make it a cinch to book a Milan to Istanbul flight with a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Milan Malpensa Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
Vienna Airport (VIE)
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Milan, MXP can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 50 minutes.
Searching for a handy hotel close to Milan Malpensa Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Milan to Istanbul, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure lounge:
76% of flights that depart Milan Malpensa Airport reach their destination on time.
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)
Rather fly from Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)? This popular hub offers nonstop flights from Milan to Istanbul, seamlessly connecting you to Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
Book your direct Milan to Istanbul plane ticket with AJet. This is one of the main carriers operating this route out of BGY.
Get more out of your holiday with a stopover on your Milan to Istanbul flight. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your list. Whatever you want to do, check out these options between Milan Bergamo Airport and Istanbul:
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Athens International Airport (ATH)
Vienna Airport (VIE)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Milan to BGY in around 1 hour. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 50 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Milan to Istanbul, take it easy in one of these hotels near Milan Bergamo Airport:
75% of flights departing Milan Bergamo Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
Choosing a ticket from Milan to Istanbul with one or more stops can offer you more choice of departure times on top of cheaper fares. When departing from Milan Linate Airport (LIN), here are a few places you can detour to on the way to Istanbul:
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Munich Airport (MUC)
From central Milan, LIN is around 8 kilometres away. It takes roughly 20 minutes to get to the airport by car and 30 minutes or so if you use public transport.
Relax in bed for a little longer and still make your Milan to Istanbul flight with time to spare. These hotels near Milan Linate Airport make it a breeze to get to the terminal if you're jetting off early:
With 83% of its departing flights arriving as scheduled, LIN is a reliable starting point for any trip.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 45 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre by public transport will take you around 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Milan to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Grab a Istanbul Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top providers to choose from here.
For the best deal, reserve your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks in advance of your Milan to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Milan to Istanbul has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in around 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 31 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
The trip will take about 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Milan to Istanbul, kick back at a hotel near SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Istanbul Sabiha Airport rental car easy and quick. These reliable suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Avoid potential price surges. Booking your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will save you money.
Best time to go to Istanbul
March is the quietest month for flights from Milan to Istanbul, while August is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Istanbul is July, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Milan to Istanbul ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Search for cheap flights from Milan to Istanbul in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Browse these options after locking in your flight from Milan to Istanbul:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Hagia Sophia, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) you should also see. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.










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