Cheap Flights to Istanbul

Discover Istanbul

Cheap Flights to Istanbul

As the world's only major city spanning two continents, Istanbul immediately stands out from the crowd.  The city is rich in wonderfully preserved Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman culture, and combines these historic elements with modern tourism infrastructures and incomparable Turkish hospitality.  With more cheap flights to Istanbul than ever before, and a stamp of approval from the Government of Canada, now is the perfect time to plan your trip to Turkey's sparkling metropolis. 

Best Time to Book a Flight to Istanbul

Istanbul is enjoyable year-round.  The high season is typically between June and September, when tourists flock to the city on their way to or from the beaches along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and prices rise accordingly.  Shoulder season, in the spring and fall, is just as beautiful but significantly more affordable.  Although temperatures in the winter rarely dip below five degrees Celsius, hotel and tour prices often drop by as much as 45%, making winter the ideal time for budget travelers to visit Istanbul.  Once you've chosen your preferred travel dates, set up a Skyscanner price alert to be notified when flights to Istanbul go on sale. 

Airlines that Fly to Istanbul

Turkish Airlines offers convenient flights directly from Canada to Istanbul.  Other airlines make the journey with a single connection at a major European airport, including KLM who flies through Amsterdam, and Air Canada who flies through London and Frankfurt.  When you are searching for flights on Skyscanner you can sort your results by price, duration and number of connections, or filter the results to see only those flights operated by your preferred airline.

The vast majority of major international flights will land at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, twenty kilometers from the city center on the European side of the city. The airport is connected to the city center by light rail, express bus and taxi service.  It is also possible to rent a car at the airport.  If you are arriving on a charter or budget airline, you may land at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport on the Asian side of the city.  From here, it can take up to two hours to reach the European side of the city by public transportation, so hiring a taxi or renting a car is preferable. 

What to See and Do in Istanbul

Both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul are fascinating to explore.  Anyone fascinated with ancient cultures should choose a hotel in Sultanahmet (the oldest part of the city, and what is commonly thought of as Constantinople), while travelers looking for modern shopping, dining and entertainment will want to stay near Taksim Square.  When you seach for hotels in Istanbul on Skyscanner you can use the map view option to find the perfect hotel location for your stay.

Most travelers want to begin their trip to Istanbul with one or days in Sultanahmet, where it is possible to explore historical sites like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cistern.  From there, join the many fisherman on the Galata Bridge and cross over the Golden Horn.  On the other side of the water you'll find the Galata Tower, the Galata Convent of the Whirling Dervishes and the city's best pedestrian thoroughfare, Istiklal Street.  If you still have time in your trip you may wish to do a one-day cruise of the Bosphorus Canal on the public ferry service, or cross the canal to spend a day exploring the Asian side of the city in Kadikoy. 

No matter what part of the city you're in, it should be easy to find locally-owned Turkish restaurants serving up Turkish-style black tea with sugar, Turkish coffee, plates of assorted appetizers (meze) and fragrant grilled meats.     

Tips and Advisories for Travel to Istanbul

Currently, Canadian citizens need a valid passport and tourist visa to enter Turkey.  Turkey has introduced an electronic visa process that allows Canadians to apply and pay for their visa online, and download their approved visa document before departure.  At present, the Canadian government has no serious warnings about the safety of travel to Istanbul, and many travelers report that the city has never felt safer.