Travelling from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Frankfurt is home to a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) departing from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN).
3 hours 5 minutes is the average time for a direct flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of Frankfurt. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul, which operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
With 405 direct flights a week between the two airports, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 07:15. If you prefer to make the most of your day before jetting off, the latest flight from FRA to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 22:00.
Your flight from Frankfurt to IST won't wait if you're running late, so show up at the airport on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
Popular months like July or other peak periods mean longer lines and possible delays. Stay on schedule by getting to the airport even earlier. Plan for at least four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Airports in Frankfurt
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) depart from this terminal.
Turkish Airlines is a popular airline that offers direct flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport jetting out of FRA.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for flights from Frankfurt to IST departing from Frankfurt Airport (FRA), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)
Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
Tivat Airport (TIV)
The distance from central Frankfurt to FRA is about 14 kilometres. Check out travel apps like Google Maps for the best route, whether you're driving or taking public transport.
After an easy start to your trip? Stay near Frankfurt Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)
Looking to fly out of Frankfurt - Hahn Airport (HHN)? You can reserve a direct flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) out of this hub.
Turkish Airlines operates direct flights from Frankfurt to IST out of HHN. Book your preferred window (or aisle) seat and reach your destination in a single hop.
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to freshen up with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, browse these options when departing from Frankfurt - Hahn Airport:
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)
Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
You can arrive at HHN from central Frankfurt in approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel the 121 kilometres or so.
You're off on vacation, so why not enjoy an extra night away? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Frankfurt - Hahn Airport the day before your flight from Frankfurt to IST:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Book a hotel close to IST if you're taking a late flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Check in to one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres away. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
C$114 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Return flights start from C$246. Prices may vary depending on availability at the time of booking.
Score flight tickets from Frankfurt to IST by booking at least 1 month ahead. According to flight price data, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
You'll land the biggest savings on your tickets from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport if you plan your break for October. Go one step further and use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Set up a Price Alert and track any changes on this route through email or push notifications. You'll know straight away when fares go down. Timing is key for finding flight tickets from Frankfurt to IST.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
The best time to fly from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
August is the busiest month for flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. To escape the crowds, visit Istanbul in February when it's quieter.
Think about the type of weather that'll work with your plans for Istanbul. The warmest month is August. Book your flights from Frankfurt to IST sometime then and you can expect temperatures of between 20ºC and 30ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the top attractions to put on your Istanbul itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Shut down all those tabs and let us do the hard work for you. We've also got incredible deals on car rentals in Istanbul once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Instantly compare prices all in one place and drive off with the perfect ride for less.