Travelling from Aktau International Airport (SCO) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for around 3 hours 5 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is two hours behind Aktau, where Aktau International Airport is located.
The busiest route is from Aktau International Airport (SCO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). There are five services every week between these two airports. Turkish Airlines offers a 04:10 departure between SCO and IST.
Allow plenty of time to catch your SCO to Istanbul flight. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Heading off during a peak period like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To give yourself peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Direct Aktau International Airport to Istanbul tickets are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is where you'll be landing.
Check out the deals with Turkish Airlines. This airline operates direct flights from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul.
We make it simple to book plane tickets from SCO to Istanbul with a stopover. To see the options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Antalya Airport (AYT)
Almaty Airport (ALA)
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
To reach SCO from central Aktau, it'll take about 30 minutes if you're going by car. It's roughly 24 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
In search of a place to stay before your flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul? Check out Aktau Airport Hotel. Get a good night's rest here before making your way to SCO.
Of the flights that depart from Aktau International Airport, 71.77% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Aktau International Airport (SCO) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way Aktau International Airport to Istanbul flight is 51 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 116 €. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To snag cheap flights from SCO to Istanbul, reserve your trip four months ahead of your departure.
Organise your trip for August. That's the best month for landing an epic deal on Aktau International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the cheapest price across each month.
There's no need to keep checking in to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an updated deal for cheap flights from SCO to Istanbul.
Find an affordable flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It'll take you around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you around 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near IST:
Get your adventure underway by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car to explore Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from SCO to Istanbul can help you lock in the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway, you can reach the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
There are some great places to call home for the night near SAW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your SCO to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the availability and rates from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Snap up the best price by reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Travel to Istanbul in peak season if you like a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul in the low season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Book an Aktau International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from SCO to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul, explore our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are leading attractions which should be on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered once you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, its top attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another standout destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without visiting Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
