Travelling from Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul is 1 hour 51 minutes.
Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of Sarajevo, where Sarajevo International Airport is located. Istanbul operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
With 45 weekly flights between the two airports, Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 08:15. If you prefer to get more out of your day before taking off, the latest departure from SJJ to SAW is with Turkish Airlines at 20:40.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from SJJ to Istanbul.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
You can book a direct flight from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul that arrives at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
There's a good selection of airlines that offer direct flights from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul, including:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from SJJ to Istanbul. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Break up the journey at one of these popular airports:
Antalya Airport (AYT)
Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW)
You can enter Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes without a visa if you have a passport from Bosnia and Herzegovina. But before reserving your flight tickets from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul, make sure you're up to date with the latest guidelines. Visa rules can change, and you may need some documentation if your trip is for work or other reasons.
SJJ is about 8 kilometres from central Sarajevo. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 18 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be approximately 53 minutes.
Want an easy start to your journey? Stay near SJJ. Whether you're catching an early flight from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
How to find the cheapest flights from Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul is C$48. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$95. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Get cheap tickets from SJJ to Istanbul by booking 3 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
November is the cheapest month for tickets from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from SJJ to Istanbul. There's no need to search every day to see whether fares have dropped. We'll tell you as soon as the price changes.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is about 50 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul has arrived, you can reach the city centre in about 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to rest your head close to SAW. Kick back and get cozy after your flight from SJJ to Istanbul at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month for flights from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, visit Istanbul in February when things are quieter.
Before booking a flight from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap flights from SJJ to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Select one of our car rentals in Istanbul and explore the city on your own terms. Easily compare rates in one place to find your perfect ride once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flights from Sarajevo International Airport to Istanbul.
