Travelling from Esenboga International Airport (ESB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 20 minutes.
Ankara and Istanbul are both in the UTC+3 timezone. This means you won't have to adjust your watch after you land.
Take your pick of 149 weekly Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights. The 00:55 departure with Turkish Airlines is the earliest flight you can take. Turkish Airlines operates the last service of the day at 23:50.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your ESB to IST flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
Flying during a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can result in longer queues at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to discover the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if time allows.
Turkish Airlines is the top choice for travellers on this route.
We make it simple to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight with a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Worthwhile stopovers between ESB and IST include:
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
Milas-Bodrum Airport
Antalya Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Esenboga International Airport (ESB) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
£36 is currently the best price for a one-way Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. A return flight starts from £68. These fares can change based on availability and demand.
Score cheap tickets from ESB to IST by booking at least five months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
April is the cheapest month for flights from Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If you'd like to fly during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Landing cheap flights from ESB to IST is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
When it comes to Esenboga International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 78.41% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Central Ankara to Esenboga International Airport is around 17 miles. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 35 minutes to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
You can expect a journey time of around 1 hour 5 minutes on public transport.
Get your travels off to a leisurely start by staying near ESB. Whether you've booked an early flight from Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these stays are perfect:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you need is a lengthy trip to your hotel if you're getting in late on an Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Go where the road takes you with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and experience more of Istanbul and beyond.
For the best deal, book your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport to central Istanbul has a drive time of about 50 minutes. It's approximately 30 miles away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. April is the most popular month to head to Istanbul. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in February.
When booking your flight from Esenboga International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from ESB to IST in January. Temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) then.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered. Around 220 miles east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep your itinerary busy. Start with attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 200 miles south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience major highlights starting with Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.