Flying from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is 3 hours.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, making Istanbul two hours ahead of Zurich.
Flights from ZRH to IST start at 06:45 — the first with Turkish Airlines. The last service of the day is at 18:50 with Turkish Airlines. Overall, you can take your pick of 39 weekly Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your ZRH to IST flight.
Flying during a peak month such as July? Public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays at airport checkpoints. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines is your ticket to exploring Istanbul (and maybe even some other great corners of Türkiye (Turkey)!). Check out the direct flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport offered by this airline.
The majority of travellers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines on this route.
How to find the cheapest flights from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
93 € is the best price for a one-way Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. A return flight starts at 176 €. These fares may change based on availability and demand.
To get cheap tickets from ZRH to IST, reserve your trip two months ahead of your departure.
The cheapest month for flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is January. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have flexible travel dates.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from ZRH to IST by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a special offer becomes available.
Find the perfect flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Handy information about Zurich Airport (ZRH)
69.02% of flights that take off from Zurich Airport land at their destination on schedule.
Zurich Airport is around 13 kilometres from central Zurich. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
You can expect a trip time of about 1 hour 35 minutes when using public transport.
Have an early flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to ZRH:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you need is a long trip to your hotel if you're arriving on a late Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Pick up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top outlets to choose from here.
For the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport to central Istanbul has a drive time of around 50 minutes. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
April is the most popular month for flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. To steer clear of the crowds, go to Istanbul in February.
Book your flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for August if you'd like to go to Istanbul during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from ZRH to IST in January. Average temperatures are between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) then.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've seen Istanbul, now it's time to discover other corners of Türkiye (Turkey). Travel about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to check off its top sights. From Museum of Anatolian Civilizations to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you're ready to explore another major stop in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are the start of reasons to visit.