Flying from Reykjavik to Istanbul: what you need to know
Reykjavik's main base, Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF), is where plenty of awesome adventures begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from Reykjavik to Istanbul.
When working out where to land in Istanbul, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are the primary gateways.
Around 5 hours 50 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Reykjavik to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul three hours ahead of Reykjavik.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your Reykjavik to Istanbul flight.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Reykjavik to Istanbul
99 € is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Reykjavik to Istanbul. A return flight starts from 241 €. These prices can change depending on availability.
Book five months before your departure date. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Reykjavik to Istanbul flights.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Reykjavik to Istanbul is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Reykjavik to Istanbul.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Reykjavik to Istanbul flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Reykjavik
Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Reykjavik to Istanbul, you can leave from Reykjavik Keflavik Airport (KEF). Get from KEF to Istanbul Airport (IST) in one seamless trip.
Icelandair is a well-known airline that offers direct Reykjavik to Istanbul plane tickets leaving from KEF.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Reykjavik to Istanbul flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Reykjavik Keflavik Airport. Take a pause at one of these airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Located around 40 kilometres from central Reykjavik, KEF can be reached in about 45 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 55 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your journey? Stay near Reykjavik Keflavik Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Reykjavik to Istanbul or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of the departures from Reykjavik Keflavik Airport, 78% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 45 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
It usually takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Reykjavik to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
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 well-known companies to choose from here.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks ahead of your trip.
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is located around 31 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Reykjavik to Istanbul has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 40 minutes.
After your flight from Reykjavik to Istanbul, rest your head at a hotel near SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or waiting in a long taxi line. Grab a Istanbul Sabiha Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW can get you a lower rate.
Best time to go to Istanbul
March is the quietest month for flights from Reykjavik to Istanbul, while August is the busiest. Work out the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in a Reykjavik to Istanbul ticket departing in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Reykjavik to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Reykjavik to Istanbul, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Hagia Sophia, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum are top attractions which should be on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you on the move. Check out popular 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). Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.