Travelling from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for an average of 5 hours 5 minutes.
Lisbon Portela Airport is located in Lisbon. Operating on the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 3 hours ahead of Lisbon.
With 40 flights a week between the two airports, Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 10:55. If you're eager to get more out of your day before you fly, the last departure from LIS to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 16:50.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your flight from LIS to Istanbul.
During popular months such as June, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during high season in general.
Nonstop flights from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) to Istanbul are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is where you'll arrive.
Book your seat with Turkish Airlines. This popular carrier offers direct flights from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even tour another city. When searching for flights from LIS to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
Cote D'Azur Airport (NCE)
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
You don't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you hold a passport from Portugal and are visiting for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements are subject to changes or updates. So before locking in your cheap tickets from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul, check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the latest rules.
Located around 6 miles from central Lisbon, LIS can be reached in approximately 22 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey by public transport is roughly 59 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near LIS:
How to find the cheapest flights from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul is £48. The cheapest price for a return flight is £110. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To snag cheap tickets from LIS to Istanbul, book your journey 4 months ahead of your departure.
Plan your trip for December. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll get notified right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time looking for cheap tickets from LIS to Istanbul every day.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 30 miles. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Book a hotel close to IST if you're taking a late flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 30 miles from central Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 57 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
The journey will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from LIS to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel near SAW. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month to board a flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to visit Istanbul, consider the pace you like to travel at.
Before booking a flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap flights from LIS to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just the start of the leading attractions to put on your Istanbul travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Lisbon Portela Airport to Istanbul to track down incredible deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info on car rentals in Istanbul, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.