Travelling from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is nine hours ahead of San Jose, where Juan Santamaria International Airport is located.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your SJO to Istanbul flight.
Heading away during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling and possibly even tick a new city off your list. When browsing for plane tickets from SJO to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Travelling from central San Jose to SJO takes around 2 hours 20 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Catching an early flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to SJO:
79.83% of flights that take off from Juan Santamaria International Airport make it to their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Istanbul
309 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul flight. Return plane tickets start at 852 €. These prices can change based on availability.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to land cheap flights from SJO to Istanbul if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul across the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Finding a cheap flight from SJO to Istanbul couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when a new discount appears.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there by public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Hit the road running by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and experience the lesser-explored corners of Istanbul and beyond.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from SJO to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul has touched down, you can get to the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
The trip will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
After stepping off your SJO to Istanbul flight, kick back at a hotel near SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and set off in the blink of an eye.
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW can land you a better rate.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before you book your flights from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Istanbul offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the low season brings better deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
When booking your Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SJO to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
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. Check out these options after you've booked your flight from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Istanbul:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just the start of the top attractions to add to your Istanbul to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with attractions 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). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
