Travelling from Aktau International Airport (SCO) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 3 hours. That's the average time for a direct flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is 2 hours behind Aktau, where Aktau International Airport is located.
Aktau International Airport (SCO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 5 departures a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from SCO to IST is with Air Astana at 21:00. Choose the first departure with Air Astana at 04:00 if you want to fly out earlier.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your flight from SCO to Istanbul.
Travelling during a popular month such as June? School holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Nonstop flights from Aktau International Airport (SCO) to Istanbul are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is where you'll disembark.
There's a good selection of carriers that operate direct flights from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul, including:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from SCO to Istanbul. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
Atyrau Airport (GUW)
Almaty Airport (ALA)
You won't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you have a passport from Kazakhstan and are visiting for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements are subject to changes or updates. So before booking your cheap tickets from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for up-to-date information.
SCO is approximately 27 kilometres from central Aktau. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 31 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions.
Get your flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul off to a hassle-free start. Just a short drive from SCO, book a night at Aktau Airport Hotel and be well-rested for the trip ahead.
How to find the cheapest flights from Aktau International Airport (SCO) to Istanbul
$94 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $187. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
To pick up cheap tickets from SCO to Istanbul, book ahead. Airlines usually offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first made available.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest tickets from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul across the month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Set up a Price Alert for flight tickets from SCO to Istanbul. You don't need to check back in every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll tell you when there's a change in price.
Make the most of the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling on public transport typically takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Book a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Following your flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 57 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After your flight from SCO to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, plan your trip to Istanbul in February when things are quieter.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap flights from SCO to Istanbul in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just the start of the major attractions to put on your Istanbul must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Select one of our car rentals in Istanbul and see the sights on your own terms. Easily compare options in one go to find the ideal ride once you've booked your hotel and cheap flights from Aktau International Airport to Istanbul.