Flying from Johannesburg to Istanbul: what you need to know
Johannesburg's main base, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), is where countless incredible trips begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul.
Arrive in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
A direct flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul takes on average 9 hours 58 minutes. The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which makes it 1 hour ahead of Johannesburg.
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 10 departures a week to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul is with Turkish Airlines at 19:05. Go for the first JNB to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 17:55 if you want to get going early.
To ensure you get on your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months like July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
You will need an e-visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you have a passport from South Africa and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can change. So before you lock in those cheap flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul, check with your airline and the destination country's local embassy or consulate for the most recent updates.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) on a nonstop flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul. From JNB, you can fly directly into Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul jetting out of JNB.
We make it simple to book a flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul with a stopover. To see all the options departing from O.R. Tambo International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight with a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Popular stopovers include:
N'djili Airport (FIH)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
JNB is around 29 kilometres from central Johannesburg. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 29 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour and 12 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to O.R. Tambo International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving 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 take a cab, the drive is about 50 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport typically takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to IST if you're catching a late flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in around 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can also opt for public transport, which will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
There are some cosy stays where you can make a pit stop near SAW. Settle in after your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul at one of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Istanbul is $509. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $841. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
Get cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Istanbul by booking at least 8 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
April is the cheapest month for flight tickets from Johannesburg to Istanbul. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Finding a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to Istanbul is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Play around with filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by airline, departure and arrival times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul, while August is the busiest. Figure out the best time to go to Istanbul based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul for August if you want to head to the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are popular attractions which should be on every Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Explore our range of car rentals once you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul. Whether you're searching for an economy ride, a standard vehicle or even something that'll turn heads, you can compare companies in one go to find the best deal.