Flying from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for around 11 hours 17 minutes.
Washington Dulles International Airport is located in Washington DC. Operating on the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 7 hours ahead of Washington DC.
The busiest route is from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can choose from 19 services every week between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from IAD to IST is the 12:45 Turkish Airlines service. If you'd rather fly out later on, the final departure is at 22:25 with Turkish Airlines.
To ensure you catch your flight from IAD to Istanbul, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Going away during a peak month like July? Busy periods (like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year) can easily add another hour at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can catch a direct flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul that touches down at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from IAD to Istanbul. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
If you have a passport from United States 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 your length of stay and can be subject to change. For the latest information, contact your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before reserving a cheap ticket from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul.
Located around 56 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC, IAD can be reached in approximately 51 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey on public transport is roughly 3 hours and 26 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel near IAD? If you've booked an early flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Istanbul
$587 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul. A return flight starts at $1,052. These prices may change depending on availability and demand.
Get cheap tickets from IAD to Istanbul by booking 11 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
July is the cheapest month for tickets from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll be notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for flight tickets from IAD to Istanbul every day.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 50 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 57 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from IAD to Istanbul, settle in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul. August is the busiest month for a trip to Istanbul. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in February.
Book your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul for August to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from IAD to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just a couple of the big attractions to add to your Istanbul travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Istanbul to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus we give you all the info on car rentals in Istanbul, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.