Travelling from Toronto to Istanbul: what you need to know
Organising your flight from Toronto to Istanbul begins with finding the most convenient airport to start your holiday. Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) are the main departure points in Toronto.
Touch down in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Around 9 hours 55 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Toronto to Istanbul flight.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is seven hours ahead of Toronto.
The busiest route for flights from Toronto to Istanbul is from Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). There are nine weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from YYZ to IST is the 17:30 Biman Bangladesh Airlines option. If you prefer to travel later, the final scheduled service is at 21:25 with Turkish Airlines.
For a relaxed travel experience, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your Toronto to Istanbul flight.
Travelling during a popular month like August? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Toronto to Istanbul
To snag cheap Toronto to Istanbul flights, book your trip two months before your departure date.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on plane tickets from Toronto to Istanbul. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Toronto to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Toronto to Istanbul flights.
Flying from Toronto
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Jet off from Pearson International Airport (YYZ) on a nonstop flight from Toronto to Istanbul. From YYZ, you can travel directly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Lock in your Toronto to Istanbul plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This airline is a top choice for direct flights from YYZ.
YYZ is around 19 kms (12 miles) from central Toronto. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 50 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Toronto to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near Pearson International Airport:
When it comes to Pearson International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 63.97% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
You can reach YTZ from central Toronto in about 35 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride by public transport takes roughly 40 minutes to cover the 3 kms (2 miles) or so.
Kick off your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Toronto to Istanbul, take it easy in one of these hotels near Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport:
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has an on-time performance rate of 62%. This figure reflects how frequently flights departing from this airport make it to their destination on time.
Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)
From central Toronto, YKF is around 80 kms (50 miles) away. It'll take you roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to arrive by car and 4 hours 5 minutes or so if you use public transport.
Make taking an early Toronto to Istanbul flight the easiest part of your journey. Stay at one of these hotels near Region of Waterloo International Airport and get to the check-in counter without rushing:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that monitors how often flights get to their destinations when they should. At YKF, that rate is 63.64%.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kms (20 miles) away.
It usually takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Toronto to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Grab an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are leading providers to choose from here.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your Toronto to Istanbul flight.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 31 kms (19 miles) from central Istanbul. Following your flight from Toronto to Istanbul, it'll take you approximately 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Toronto to Istanbul, rest your head at a hotel near SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the most popular month for flights from Toronto to Istanbul. To steer clear of the crowds, visit Istanbul in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your Toronto to Istanbul ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for cheap flights from Toronto to Istanbul around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Toronto to Istanbul, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Istanbul. Around 220 miles to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another standout destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 200 miles south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without seeing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.