Travelling from Ercan Airport (ECN) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Ercan Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 40 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is one hour ahead of Nicosia, where Ercan Airport is located.
With 75 flights a week between the two airports, Ercan Airport (ECN) to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is the most popular route. AJet operates the earliest flight at 02:50. If you'd like to make the most of your day before jetting off, the last departure from ECN to SAW is with AJet at 23:50.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your ECN to Istanbul flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're travelling during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good general rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at check-in and security will be longer.
You can book a direct Ercan Airport to Istanbul ticket. Begin your trip at ECN and touch down at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
You'll find a good selection of carriers that offer direct flights from Ercan Airport to Istanbul, including:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially land a cheaper plane ticket from ECN to Istanbul. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these airports:
Antalya Airport (AYT)
Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB)
To get to ECN from central Nicosia, it takes about 1 hour 10 minutes if you're going by car. It's roughly 7 miles from the airport to the city centre.
Of the departures from Ercan Airport, 75.35% land on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ercan Airport (ECN) to Istanbul
The best price we've seen for a one-way Ercan Airport to Istanbul flight is £21. The cheapest price for a return flight is £40. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from ECN to Istanbul, book early. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Ercan Airport to Istanbul across the entire month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your dates are flexible.
Save time looking for cheap flights from ECN to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Ercan Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 30 miles. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling on public transport typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
Book a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Ercan Airport to Istanbul. Choose one of these accommodation options and make your first night all about rest:
Travel at your own pace with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from ECN to Istanbul can help you lock in the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is around 30 miles from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Ercan Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 55 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your ECN to Istanbul flight:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make picking up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Visit Istanbul in high season if you prefer a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book flights from Ercan Airport to Istanbul during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
Before booking an Ercan Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from ECN to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Ercan Airport to Istanbul, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. Around 220 miles east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with leading sights like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're interested in discovering another major stop in Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, about 200 miles south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among the biggest draws.
