Flying from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): What you need to know
There are a couple of airports you can start your trip from in Istanbul. Explore your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when organizing your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The average time for a direct Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport flight is 13 hours 55 minutes.
Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles. The city follows the UTC-7 timezone and is ten hours behind Istanbul.
With 15 direct flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 8am. If you prefer to get more out of your day before flying, the last departure from IST to LAX is with Turkish Airlines at 6:40pm.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from Istanbul to LAX.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow some extra breathing room. The recommendation for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can jump on a direct flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a well-known airline that offers direct flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport taking off from IST.
The majority of passengers prefer to book seats with Turkish Airlines between IST and LAX.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Istanbul to LAX. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Make a stop (and maybe make your fare cheaper) by passing through one of these popular options:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL)
Located around 48 kilometers from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Looking for a comfortable hotel near Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Squeeze in an extra adventure with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport. Here's where you can connect between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and LAX:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL)
You can arrive at SAW from the center of Istanbul in approximately 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to travel the 48 kilometers or so.
Get your vacation started early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Istanbul to LAX flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76.93%. This figure reflects how frequently flights that leave from this airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Have a late flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport? Don't let it hijack your sleep schedule. Stay at one of these hotels near LAX and get cozy, quick:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz to explore Los Angeles and beyond.
Booking your vehicle around one week ahead of your Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport flight can help you get a cheaper deal.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Getting from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport to the center of Los Angeles is around 19 kilometers. If you're getting a cab or renting a car, do some research to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times vary based on traffic conditions and the time of day.
Traveling by public transport will take you around 55 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport is $343. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $491. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Book one month before you travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Istanbul to LAX.
Organize your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring an incredible deal on Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport tickets. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Never miss a deal on plane tickets from Istanbul to LAX by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when prices go down.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
May is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), while July is the busiest. Pick the best time to go to Los Angeles based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Los Angeles is August, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Lock in your Istanbul to LAX plane ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
February has temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Los Angeles
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Los Angeles International Airport, find a hotel that's got location and comfort covered. Make one of these options your base for exploring Los Angeles:
Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory are a couple of major attractions to put on your Los Angeles to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Hollywood Bowl.
Explore more of the United States
San Diego is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometers away to the south-east, check out popular attractions including San Diego Zoo, San Diego Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of the United States, head for Bakersfield, about 161 kilometers north of Los Angeles. Kern County Museum, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir are among the biggest draws.