Flying from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for an average of 6 hours 40 minutes.
Nairobi (the location of Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) and Istanbul share the same timezone — UTC+3.
The busiest route is from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Istanbul Airport (IST). You can choose from seven weekly services between these two airports. Turkish Airlines offers a 03:35 departure between NBO and IST.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your NBO to Istanbul flight.
Flying over a peak time like July? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Direct Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul tickets are available for booking. Istanbul Airport (IST) will be where your journey ends.
Keep your eyes peeled for promotions from Turkish Airlines. This carrier has direct flights from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul.
We make it easy to book plane tickets from NBO to Istanbul with a stopover. To see the options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Popular stopovers include:
Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
NBO is around 11 kms (7 miles) from central Nairobi. If you're driving, catching a taxi or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
Have an early flight from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to NBO:
62% of flights that leave from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport land at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Istanbul
£219 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul flight. A round-trip plane ticket right now is £307. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
Score cheap flights from NBO to Istanbul by booking six months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
Organise your trip for November. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Finding a cheap flight from NBO to Istanbul couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is around 40 kms (25 miles) from central Istanbul. If you're opting for a ride-share or a taxi, the drive will take roughly 45 minutes.
Travelling on public transport will take you around 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from NBO to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is located around 48 kms (30 miles) from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 1 hour 5 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near SAW. Unwind and get cosy after your NBO to Istanbul flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Get exactly what you want. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul. To skip the crowds, plan your trip to Istanbul in February.
Before booking a Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 30ºC.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from NBO to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Check out these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Istanbul:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia Museum and Hagia Sophia History Museum are highlights which should be on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kms (220 miles) away to the east, its top attractions include The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
If you're looking to explore another side of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kms (200 miles) southwest of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are highlights.