Flying from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Istanbul is seven hours ahead of Durham and observes the UTC+3 timezone.
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 board your RDU to IST flight.
Flying during a peak month such as July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
If you want to split up your journey, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Here are the most popular stopovers between RDU and IST:
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Frankfurt Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight is £189. A round-trip plane ticket right now is £360. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap tickets from RDU to IST, book in advance. Airlines usually offer lower fares when flights are first made available.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the lowest price in every month when searching for a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Landing cheap flights from RDU to IST couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport maintains a solid on-time record, making delays less likely. Departures from RDU touch down on schedule 80.09% of the time.
Central Durham to Raleigh-Durham International Airport is around 14 miles. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 20 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving.
Catching public transport? Expect a trip time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Searching for a handy hotel near RDU? If you've booked an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, these accommodation options will have you moments from check-in:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Go where the road takes you with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance can help you get the best possible rate.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 30 miles away. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre by car.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. April is the most popular month to visit Istanbul. If you prefer a more laid-back vibe, go in February.
Book your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for August if you want to explore Istanbul during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for cheap tickets from RDU to IST around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 220 miles away to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If there's time to check out another side of Türkiye (Turkey), consider Izmir, about 200 miles south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are the start of reasons to visit.
