Flying from Rome to Istanbul: what you need to know
Rome is home to two main airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Rome to Istanbul flying out of Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA).
Touch down in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Around 2 hours 40 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Rome to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul two hours ahead of Rome.
With 28 flights a week between the two airports, Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Hop on the earliest flight from Rome to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines at 06:55. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the last departure from FCO to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 20:10.
For a relaxed travel experience, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably catch your Rome to Istanbul flight.
Flying during a popular month such as August? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Rome to Istanbul
To score cheap Rome to Istanbul flights, book your journey three months before your departure date.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Rome to Istanbul is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Locking in a cheap flight from Rome to Istanbul is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Rome to Istanbul flights.
Flying from Rome
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Depart from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and fly straight through to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). If you're looking for a direct flight from Rome to Istanbul out of FCO, those are your landing options.
You can choose from various airlines offering direct Rome to Istanbul plane tickets with departures from FCO, including:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Rome to Istanbul flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Naples International Airport (NAP)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)
FCO is around 23 kilometres from central Rome. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 40 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 50 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Rome to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
70.57% of flights taking off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Rome to Istanbul flight, here's where you can stop when heading out from Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport:
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG)
You can reach CIA from central Rome in about 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to travel the 14 kilometres or so.
Get your holiday started early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Rome to Istanbul, take it easy in one of these hotels near Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport:
73.18% of flights departing Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport will take you around 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Rome to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular providers you can book with here.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Rome to Istanbul has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near SAW. Unwind after your Rome to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and be on your way in a flash.
Get first dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the most popular month for flights from Rome to Istanbul. To travel when it's less crowded, visit Istanbul in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Rome to Istanbul ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Search for cheap flights from Rome to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options once you've locked in your flight from Rome to Istanbul:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are top sights which should be on every Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another standout destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.