Travelling from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul is 12 hours 30 minutes.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is located in Seattle. Following the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is ten hours ahead of Seattle.
The busiest route is from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Take your pick of eight weekly services between these two airports. Turkish Airlines offers a 12:30 departure between SEA and IST.
To avoid rushing for your SEA to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Longer lines at check-in and security are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing space. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Direct Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul tickets are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) will be your arrival point.
Turkish Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey and maybe even explore a different city. When browsing for plane tickets from SEA to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
The journey from central Seattle to SEA takes about 55 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
In search of a hotel close to SEA? If you're boarding an early flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:
81.27% of flights departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule. Given its strong on-time stats, you're unlikely to face delays when jetting out of SEA.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Istanbul
230 € is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul flight. A return plane ticket right now is 384 €. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
To snag cheap flights from SEA to Istanbul, reserve your journey two months before your departure date.
The best month for landing cheap Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
Locking in a cheap flight from SEA to Istanbul couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Save money on your flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes about 50 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul. Select one of these accommodation options and make arrival day easier:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top providers you can book with here.
Reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from SEA to Istanbul can help you lock in the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 55 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Following your SEA to Istanbul flight, kick back at a hotel near SAW. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These trusted providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your dates before securing your flight from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul. The city buzzes during high season, but prices are usually higher and major attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Istanbul in low season if you like a quieter vibe.
When booking your Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from SEA to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
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 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with popular sights like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Start your sightseeing at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.