Travelling from Nairobi to Istanbul: what you need to know
Nairobi has a couple of airports where you can kick off your travels. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Nairobi to Istanbul departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL).
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's major entry points.
Hop on a direct Nairobi to Istanbul flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 7 hours.
Nairobi and Istanbul share the UTC+3 timezone. This means you won't have to adjust your watch after you land.
The most popular route for flights from Nairobi to Istanbul is from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Choose from seven services every week between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from NBO to IST is the 01:10 Turkish Airlines service. If you prefer to travel later, the latest available service is at 06:20 with Turkish Airlines.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your Nairobi to Istanbul flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to Istanbul
Book eight months before travelling. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Nairobi to Istanbul flights.
Plan your trip for November. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on plane tickets from Nairobi to Istanbul. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Nairobi to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a better deal is available.
Find a cheap Nairobi to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
You can book a direct flight from Nairobi to Istanbul jetting off from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). Start your trip at NBO and end it at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Lock in your Nairobi to Istanbul plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This airline is a top choice for direct flights from NBO.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even tour another city. When searching for Nairobi to Istanbul flights leaving from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Mogadishu International Airport (MGQ)
Juba International Airport (JUB)
Located around 7 miles from central Nairobi, NBO can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Have an early flight from Nairobi to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
When it comes to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 67.1% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 20 miles. It'll take you around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre by public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Nairobi to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's usual tourist stops.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Nairobi to Istanbul has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 19 miles from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Nairobi to Istanbul:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Snap up the best price by booking your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the busiest month for flights from Nairobi to Istanbul. To travel when it's less crowded, go to Istanbul in February.
When booking your Nairobi to Istanbul tickets, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for cheap flights from Nairobi to Istanbul around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Nairobi to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered after you've seen Istanbul. Around 220 miles to the east, its top attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're ready to explore another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 200 miles south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are among the biggest draws.