Travelling from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Dubai. Check out your options departing from Dubai Airport (DXB) or Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) when booking your flight from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
4 hours 50 minutes is the average journey time for a direct flight from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is 1 hour behind Dubai. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul.
The busiest route is from Dubai Airport (DXB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), with 84 direct weekly services. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from DXB to IST is the 02:00 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 21:15 with flydubai.
Your flight from Dubai to IST won't wait if you're running late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
Show up at the airport even earlier during popular months like July. Aim for two hours before a domestic departure and as much as four hours for international journeys. After checking in, you can use any extra time to grab something to eat or simply relax.
Airports in Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Go straight to your destination from Dubai Airport (DXB). Nonstop flights from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) can be booked from here.
At DXB, there's a good selection of carriers offering direct flights from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, including:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even explore a different city. When searching for flights from Dubai to IST departing from Dubai Airport (DXB), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
The distance from central Dubai to DXB is roughly 14 kilometres. Check out travel apps like Google Maps for the fastest route, whether you're driving or taking public transport.
Want a hassle-free start to your break? Stay near Dubai Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Searching for more options for a direct flight from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)? Browse the fares jetting out of Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
Break up your flight from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross another place off your list. Some popular stopovers between Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport and IST include:
Vaclav Havel Airport Prague Airport (PRG)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Luxembourg Airport (LUX)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Dubai to DWC in around 2 hours and 5 minutes. The terminal is roughly 56 kilometres away, and making the journey by car will take approximately 45 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not book an extra night away? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport the day before your flight from Dubai to IST:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is approximately 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 50 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
$179 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Return flights start from $357. Prices are subject to change based on availability and may vary at the time of booking.
Score flight tickets from Dubai to IST by booking 8 months ahead. According to flight price data, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the best price across every month.
Create a Price Alert for flight tickets from Dubai to IST. You don't need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped. We'll update you when the price changes.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.
The best time to fly from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
February is the quietest time of year to travel to Istanbul. Alternatively, join the crowds and take your trip in August. This is the most popular month for flights from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Think about the kind of weather that'll suit your plans for Istanbul. August is known as the warmest month. Book your flights from Dubai to IST during then and you can expect temperatures of between 20ºC and 30ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for cheap flights from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport sometime then if you like cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, browse our range of hotels including:
One of the best ways to get to know Istanbul is to explore its top attractions. Some highlights include Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Dubai to Istanbul Ataturk Airport isn't the only thing we're good at. Browse our car rentals in Istanbul and see the sights your way. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.