Travelling from Santorini International Airport (JTR) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Istanbul is 1 hour ahead of Santorini (Thira), where Santorini International Airport is located. Istanbul operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from JTR to Istanbul.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even explore a different city. When searching for flights from JTR to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW)
Palese Airport (BRI)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
You don't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you have a passport from Greece and are travelling for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements are subject to changes. So before booking your cheap tickets from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul, check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the latest rules.
JTR is approximately 5 kilometres from central Santorini (Thira). If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near JTR:
How to find the cheapest flights from Santorini International Airport (JTR) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul is $108. The cheapest price for a return flight is $249. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from JTR to Istanbul if you book early. Airlines often have some great early bird discounts.
Finding cheap tickets from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul is easy if you're flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to see the best prices across every month and bag a great deal.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll be notified right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for flight tickets from JTR to Istanbul every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After your flight from JTR to Istanbul, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month to board a flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the best time to go to Istanbul, consider your preferred travel pace and style.
Lock in your flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul for August to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from JTR 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. Once you've booked your flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the top attractions to add to your Istanbul to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Santorini International Airport to Istanbul to track down deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need on car rentals in Istanbul, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.