Flying from Mexico City to Istanbul: what you need to know
Begin planning your vacation by considering the departure point for your flight from Mexico City to Istanbul. Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) and Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU) are the main airports in Mexico City.
Arrive in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, making Istanbul nine hours ahead of Mexico City.
For hassle-free travel, turn up 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 Mexico City to Istanbul flight.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Mexico City to Istanbul
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap Mexico City to Istanbul flights if you book early. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird deals.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across the month when looking for your plane ticket from Mexico City to Istanbul.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Mexico City to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Mexico City to Istanbul flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Mexico City
Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Mexico City to Istanbul flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Benito Juarez International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The journey from central Mexico City to MEX takes about 55 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Mexico City to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays near Benito Juarez International Airport:
Benito Juarez International Airport maintains a strong on-time record, so you're less likely to experience disruptions. Departures from MEX land at their destination as scheduled 80.91% of the time.
Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport (NLU)
Consider adding a stop at Tocumen International Airport (PTY). It's a key stopover on a Mexico City to Istanbul flight leaving Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport. Use a longer layover to explore nearby, or take advantage of a short break to grab a bite to eat at the airport.
With public transport, you can travel from central Mexico City to NLU in around 1 hour 45 minutes. The airport is roughly 32 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 55 minutes.
Getting to the airport on time before your flight from {"defaultCase":"Mexico City","accusativeCase":"Mexico City","nominativeCase":"Mexico City","dativeCase":"Mexico City"} to Istanbul is so much simpler when you stay close to Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport. Consider booking a room at Verticca Hotel the night before you fly out.
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Santa Lucia Air Force Base Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 67.58%.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Mexico City to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Begin your adventure 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.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance can help you secure the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 31 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Following your flight from Mexico City to Istanbul, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
After your flight from Mexico City to Istanbul, kick back at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and be on your way in a flash.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the busiest month for flights from Mexico City to Istanbul. To steer clear of the crowds, head to Istanbul in February.
Book a Mexico City to Istanbul ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Mexico City 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 ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Mexico City to Istanbul, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are popular attractions which should feature on every Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, check out popular attractions including 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). No visit is complete without checking out Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.