Flying from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for an average of 2 hours 38 minutes.
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport is located in Rome. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of Rome.
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route, with 39 weekly flights to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from FCO to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 20:10. Go for the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 06:55 if you want to get going early.
To ensure you catch your flight from FCO to Istanbul, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights when you travel during peak periods in general.
You can book a nonstop flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul. Begin your trip at FCO and land at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
You'll find a variety of airlines that offer direct flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul, including:
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from FCO to Istanbul. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Naples International Airport (NAP)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)
If you have a passport from Italy and plan to travel to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may vary based on the length and purpose of your stay and are subject to change. For the latest information, contact your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before reserving a cheap ticket from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul.
The journey from central Rome to FCO takes approximately 51 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 39 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a handy hotel close to FCO? If you've booked an early flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you moments from check-in:
How to find the cheapest flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul
$75 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul. Return flights start at $161. These prices may change based on demand.
Lock in cheap tickets from FCO to Istanbul by booking at least 10 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
Organise your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll get notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from searching for flight tickets from FCO to Istanbul every day.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 57 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from FCO to Istanbul:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, head for Istanbul in February when it's quieter.
Book your flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul for August to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from FCO to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the leading attractions to put on your Istanbul itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Istanbul and see the sights at your leisure. Easily compare companies in one go to find the ideal ride after booking your hotel and cheap flights from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport to Istanbul.