Travelling from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for an average of 3 hours.
Zurich Airport is located in Zurich. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of Zurich.
The busiest route is from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Take your pick of 39 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from ZRH to IST is the 06:45 Turkish Airlines service. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 18:50 with Turkish Airlines.
Give yourself enough time to catch your flight from ZRH to Istanbul. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You can expect longer lines in popular months such as July and other peak periods. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
You can book a nonstop flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul. Start your trip at ZRH and touch down at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
There's a range of carriers operating direct flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul, including:
You can enter Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes without a visa if you hold a passport from Switzerland. But before reserving your cheap tickets from Zurich Airport to Istanbul, double-check for the newest rules and regulations. Visa rules can change, and you may require some travel documentation if your trip is for work or other reasons.
Located around 8 miles from central Zurich, ZRH can be reached in about 19 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near ZRH. Whether you have an early flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
How to find the cheapest flights from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Zurich Airport to Istanbul is £36. The cheapest price for a return flight is £67. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Lock in cheap tickets from ZRH to Istanbul by booking 5 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Plan your trip for January. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Zurich Airport to Istanbul. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Getting a cheap ticket from ZRH to Istanbul is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when the price has fallen.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 30 miles from central Istanbul. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 50 minutes.
Travelling on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near IST if you're catching a late flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is around 30 miles from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've disembarked your flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 57 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Travelling by public transport will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After your flight from ZRH to Istanbul, settle in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month to board a flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the best time to visit Istanbul, consider the pace you like to travel at.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from ZRH to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are major attractions which should be on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus we give you everything you need to know about car rentals in Istanbul, from the most popular car type to the average daily price.