Flying from Philadelphia to Istanbul: what you need to know
Philadelphia's main base, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), is where many great holidays begin. Explore your departure choices from here for your flight from Philadelphia to Istanbul.
When working out where to land in Istanbul, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are the chief entry points.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, making Istanbul eight hours ahead of Philadelphia.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your Philadelphia to Istanbul flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a popular month such as August? Public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Istanbul
To find cheap Philadelphia to Istanbul flights, book ahead. Airlines tend to offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across the month when searching for your plane ticket from Philadelphia to Istanbul.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Philadelphia to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Philadelphia to Istanbul flights.
Flying from Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
We make it simple to find a Philadelphia to Istanbul flight with a stopover. To see the options leaving from Philadelphia International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply select a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Located around 11 kilometres from central Philadelphia, PHL can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
In search of a convenient hotel near Philadelphia International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Philadelphia to Istanbul, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:
Of the flights that depart from Philadelphia International Airport, 77% land on time at their destination.
PHL is located at 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is approximately 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 45 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Book a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Philadelphia to Istanbul. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Explore without limits with a Istanbul Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
To get the best deal, book your ride from Istanbul Airport about two weeks in advance of your Philadelphia to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) is around 31 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Philadelphia to Istanbul, it'll take you approximately 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near SAW. Settle in and get cosy after your Philadelphia to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or long taxi queues. Pick up a Istanbul Sabiha Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will help you save.
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Philadelphia to Istanbul. To travel when it's less crowded, head to Istanbul in March.
Lock in a Philadelphia to Istanbul ticket departing in July if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for cheap flights from Philadelphia to Istanbul around that time if you like cooler conditions.
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 hotels after locking in your flight from Philadelphia to Istanbul:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Hagia Sophia, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be explored. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.
