Travelling from Milan to Istanbul Airport (IST): What you need to know
Planning your getaway begins with figuring out where you'll leave from in Milan. Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is the city's main base, so explore your options for reserving a flight from Milan to Istanbul Airport (IST) leaving from here.
Take off on a direct Milan to Istanbul Airport flight and you'll be travelling for around 3 hours.
Istanbul is two hours ahead of Milan. Istanbul Airport is located in Istanbul, which operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the most popular route. There are 28 direct flights a week to choose from. If you have plans before you fly, hop on the last flight with Turkish Airlines at 8:10pm. Opt for the first MXP to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 6:50am if getting there sooner works for you.
To ensure you get on your flight from Milan to IST, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight when you fly during high season in general.
Airports in Milan
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
You can jump on a direct flight from Milan to Istanbul Airport (IST) departing from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP).
When departing from MXP, you can catch a direct flight from Milan to Istanbul Airport with Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines is the airline with the highest passenger demand for flights from MXP to IST.
Travelling from central Milan to MXP takes about 50 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 48 kms (30 miles) in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want an easy start to your holiday? Stay near Milan Malpensa Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Milan to Istanbul Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the ideal choice:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Milan Malpensa Airport, 76% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY)
Split up your flight from Milan to Istanbul Airport with a stop so you can stretch your legs or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some great stopovers between Milan Bergamo Airport and IST include:
Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG)
You can arrive at BGY from central Milan in approximately 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour to travel the 48 kms (30 miles) or so.
Kick off your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Milan to IST flight, kick back in one of these hotels near Milan Bergamo Airport:
Milan Bergamo Airport has an on-time performance of 75%. This figure sheds light on how frequently flights that take off from this airport arrive on time.
Milano Linate Airport (LIN)
Searching for a plane ticket from Milan to Istanbul Airport (IST) with a stop or two can offer you more choice of departure times and access to cheaper fares. When jetting off from Milano Linate Airport (LIN), here are a few places you can detour to on your way to IST:
Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Naples-Capodichino International Airport (NAP)
Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport (BRI)
From the centre of Milan, LIN is around 8 kms (5 miles) away. It'll take you roughly 20 minutes to arrive by car and 30 minutes or so if you take public transport.
Make catching an early Milan to Istanbul Airport flight the easiest part of your trip. Stay at one of these hotels close to Milano Linate Airport and head to your check-in counter without rushing:
With 84% of its departing flights arriving as planned, LIN is a reliable starting point for your journey.
About Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Milan to Istanbul Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your luggage at baggage claim and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these options near IST:
Booking your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Milan to Istanbul Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
Getting from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Central Istanbul is around 40 kms (25 miles) from Istanbul Airport and takes about 45 minutes to reach by car. Explore your options for getting into the city, whether that's with a taxi, car hire or ride-share.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 10 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Milan to Istanbul Airport (IST)
Right now, £44 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Milan to Istanbul Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is £94. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Lock in cheap flights from Milan to IST by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for bagging a bargain.
June is when you're most likely to land a bargain on a Milan to Istanbul Airport ticket. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a better deal is available on plane tickets from Milan to IST.
Find a cheap flight from Milan to Istanbul Airport by using filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Milan to Istanbul Airport (IST)
February is the quietest month for flights from Milan to Istanbul Airport (IST), while August is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to visit Istanbul based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in a Milan to IST plane ticket departing in July if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 21ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from Milan to Istanbul Airport in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Milan to Istanbul Airport, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Your Istanbul visit won't be complete without checking out the sights. Major attractions that belong on your itinerary include Hagia Sophia Museum, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History Museum.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Eskisehir is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Istanbul. Around 225 kms (140 miles) away to the southeast, popular attractions include Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri, Archeological Museum and TÜRASAŞ Revolution Cars Museum.
Travel 153 kms (95 miles) east from Istanbul to reach Adapazarı, another well-known stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Be sure to check out Ağa Cami and Earthquake & Cultural Museum.
