Traveling from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Brussels Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for around 3 hours 30 minutes.
Istanbul is two hours ahead of Brussels, where Brussels Airport is located. Istanbul observes the UTC+3 timezone.
Brussels Airport (BRU) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 30 flights a week to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from BRU to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 18:50. Go for the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 07:15 if you want to get on your way earlier.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your BRU to Istanbul flight.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months such as September. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
Direct Brussels Airport to Istanbul tickets are available for booking. Istanbul Airport (IST) is where you'll complete your journey.
Turkish Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from Brussels Airport to Istanbul.
We make it simple to book plane tickets from BRU to Istanbul with a stopover. To see your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Munich Franz Joseph Strauss Airport (MUC)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
BRU is around 8 kilometers from central Brussels. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the center, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 20 minutes.
Have an early flight from Brussels Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near BRU:
75% of flights taking off from Brussels Airport make it to their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Istanbul
$69 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Brussels Airport to Istanbul flight. A round-trip ticket right now is $135. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to land cheap flights from BRU to Istanbul if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird rates.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, make the most of the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll find the lowest price across each month when searching for a Brussels Airport to Istanbul ticket.
Finding a cheap flight from BRU to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch as soon as a new discount appears.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Brussels Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) to the center of Istanbul takes about 45 minutes to reach by car. The center is roughly 40 kilometers away.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes when traveling by public transport.
Think about booking a hotel near IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Brussels Airport to Istanbul. Select one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from BRU to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometers from central Istanbul. After your flight from Brussels Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Following your BRU to Istanbul flight, rest your head at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Call dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from Brussels Airport to Istanbul, while August is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Istanbul based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Lock in a Brussels Airport to Istanbul plane ticket with a departure in July if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from BRU to Istanbul around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these options after you've booked your flight from Brussels Airport to Istanbul:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia Museum and Hagia Sophia History Museum are essential stops on your Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometers east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with popular sights like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Izmir is another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometers southwest of Istanbul. No journey is complete without dropping by Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.