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Cheap Flights from Bucharest to Istanbul from $73

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Compare Bucharest to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

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Flight deals from Bucharest to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Bucharest to Istanbul? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Istanbul.$155 per passenger.Departing Sat, 31 May, returning Sat, 7 Jun.Return flight with TAROM and Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with TAROM departs from Bucharest Otopeni on Sat, 31 May, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sat, 7 Jun, arriving in Bucharest Otopeni.Price includes taxes and charges.From $155, select.
Istanbul.$164 per passenger.Departing Sat, 3 May, returning Mon, 19 May.Return flight with TAROM and Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with TAROM departs from Bucharest Otopeni on Sat, 3 May, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Mon, 19 May, arriving in Bucharest Otopeni.Price includes taxes and charges.From $164, select.
Istanbul.$178 per passenger.Departing Sat, 26 Jul, returning Mon, 28 Jul.Return flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Bucharest Otopeni on Sat, 26 Jul, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Mon, 28 Jul, arriving in Bucharest Otopeni.Price includes taxes and charges.From $178, select.
Istanbul.$181 per passenger.Departing Sun, 5 Oct, returning Wed, 8 Oct.Return flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Bucharest Otopeni on Sun, 5 Oct, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Wed, 8 Oct, arriving in Bucharest Otopeni.Price includes taxes and charges.From $181, select.
Istanbul.$184 per passenger.Departing Mon, 22 Sep, returning Wed, 24 Sep.Return flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Bucharest Otopeni on Mon, 22 Sep, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Wed, 24 Sep, arriving in Bucharest Otopeni.Price includes taxes and charges.From $184, select.
Istanbul.$185 per passenger.Departing Wed, 11 Jun, returning Wed, 18 Jun.Return flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Bucharest Otopeni on Wed, 11 Jun, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Wed, 18 Jun, arriving in Bucharest Otopeni.Price includes taxes and charges.From $185, select.
Istanbul.$214 per passenger.Departing Sun, 25 May, returning Sat, 19 Jul.Return flight with Pegasus Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Bucharest Otopeni on Sun, 25 May, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with Pegasus Airlines departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sat, 19 Jul, arriving in Bucharest Otopeni.Price includes taxes and charges.From $214, select.
Istanbul.$215 per passenger.Departing Thu, 1 Jan, returning Sat, 10 Jan.Return flight with TAROM.Outbound direct flight with TAROM departs from Bucharest Otopeni on Thu, 1 Jan, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound direct flight with TAROM departs from Istanbul on Sat, 10 Jan, arriving in Bucharest Otopeni.Price includes taxes and charges.From $215, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Bucharest to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Bucharest to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in May.
Apr
from $314
May
from $164
Jun
from $185
Jul
from $178
Aug
from $224
Sep
from $184
Oct
from $181
Nov
from $259
Dec
from $294
Jan
from $215
Feb
from $260
Mar
from $360

Direct flights from Bucharest to Istanbul

Alternative Bucharest to Istanbul routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Bucharest to Istanbul? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Bucharest to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$155
Cheapest month to flyMay
Average flight time1 hr, 28 mins
Most popular airlineTAROM
Average flights per week82

Finding cheap flights from Bucharest to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.
The best price we found for a return flight from Bucharest to Istanbul is $155. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
1 hour and 28 minutes is the average flight time from Bucharest to Istanbul.
TAROM, Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines fly direct from Bucharest to Istanbul.
As of April 2025, there are 82 flights per week flying from Bucharest to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Bucharest to Istanbul is usually April 2025.
If you're flying from Bucharest, the cheapest airport near Istanbul is Istanbul – which is 34.4 km away from the centre of Istanbul. We've found flights into this airport from $155.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Bucharest to Istanbul on Saturday, 31 May 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 28 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In April, the average temperature is usually around 12°C. August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is December.
The cheapest airline that flies to Istanbul is TAROM .

Flying from Bucharest to Istanbul: what you need to know

  • Bucharest's main base, Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), is where many great holidays begin. Explore the departure options from here when searching for a flight from Bucharest to Istanbul.

  • When planning your arrival in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the chief entry points.

  • Around 1 hour 30 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Bucharest to Istanbul flight.

  • The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is one hour ahead of Bucharest.

  • The busiest route for flights from Bucharest to Istanbul is from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Take your pick of 36 services every week between these two airports. If you want to take off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from OTP to IST is the 07:35 TAROM service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the latest available service is at 21:50 with Turkish Airlines.

  • For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Bucharest to Istanbul flight.

  • You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.

How to find the cheapest flights from Bucharest to Istanbul

  • The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Bucharest to Istanbul is $73. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $155. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.

  • To secure cheap Bucharest to Istanbul flights, reserve your trip seven months before your departure date.

  • October is the best month for scoring an amazing deal on a plane ticket from Bucharest to Istanbul. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.

  • Locking in a cheap flight from Bucharest to Istanbul is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.

  • Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Bucharest to Istanbul flights.

Flying from Bucharest

Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)

  • Begin your travels at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), which has a range of direct flights from Bucharest to Istanbul. From OTP, you can fly straight into Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).

  • Leading carriers that offer direct Bucharest to Istanbul plane tickets departing from OTP include:

  • Consider adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Bucharest to Istanbul flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. Break up the journey at one of these popular airports:

    • Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ)

    • Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)

    • Sofia Airport (SOF)

  • Located around 16 kilometres from the centre of Bucharest, OTP can be reached in about 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour 35 minutes.

  • After a relaxed start to your trip? Stay near Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Bucharest to Istanbul or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:

  • When it comes to the on-time performance of Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport, data shows 71.27% of flights complete their journey on time.

Arriving in Istanbul

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.

  • If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.

  • The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Bucharest to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:

  • Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular outlets to choose from here.

  • To secure the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your Bucharest to Istanbul flight.

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is roughly 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Bucharest to Istanbul, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.

  • If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • There are some comfortable places to lay your head close to SAW. Unwind after your Bucharest to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:

  • Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.

  • Get what you want, not just what's left over. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.

Best time to go to Istanbul

  • April is the most popular month for flights from Bucharest to Istanbul. To travel when it's less crowded, head to Istanbul in February.

  • Before locking in your Bucharest to Istanbul tickets, consider the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).

  • If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Bucharest to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).

More about Istanbul

  • Once you've booked your flight from Bucharest to Istanbul, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:

  • There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are top sights which should be on every Istanbul itinerary.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

  • Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.

  • Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.

Plan the rest of your trip from Bucharest to Istanbul

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.