Flying from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Nairobi: what you need to know
Around 7 hours 12 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi.
Istanbul (the location of Istanbul Ataturk Airport) and Nairobi share the same timezone — UTC+3.
With 9 weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 16:35. If you prefer to make the most of your day before taking off, the last flight from IST to NBO is with Turkish Airlines at 22:20.
To ensure you get on your flight from IST to Nairobi, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
During popular months such as August, it's wise to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
You can catch a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi. Begin your journey at IST and end it at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
Book your ticket with Turkish Airlines. This leading carrier offers direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from IST to Nairobi. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing the departures. Take a pause at one of these airports:
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
To enter Kenya for tourism purposes, you'll need an ETA if you hold a passport from Türkiye (Turkey). However, visa rules are subject to change and you may need further documentation depending on the purpose and duration of your trip. Always check the latest guidelines before you book your cheap ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi.
Located around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in approximately 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
In search of a handy hotel close to IST? If you're catching an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Nairobi
$382 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $698. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
Book 9 months before you travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from IST to Nairobi.
Organise your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll get in touch straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you time checking for flight tickets from IST to Nairobi every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi.
Airports in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to central Nairobi is roughly 14 kilometres. It'll take you about 22 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour and 11 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near NBO:
Wilson Airport (WIL)
The centre of Nairobi is around 3 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL). After your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 15 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take about 46 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places where you can make a pit stop near WIL. Kick back and get cosy after your flight from IST to Nairobi at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Nairobi
July is the busiest month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi. To steer clear of the crowds, travel to Nairobi in February when things are quieter.
Book your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi for March to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 14ºC to 30ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 12ºC and 24ºC. Search for cheap flights from IST to Nairobi around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Nairobi
Start your Nairobi trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi, browse our range of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are must-do's during your Nairobi adventure.
Complete your Nairobi trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Nairobi isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Nairobi and have more freedom to explore. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.