Flying from Istanbul to Tokyo: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Istanbul to Tokyo. Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are the main airports in Istanbul.
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) and Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) are Tokyo's major gateways.
Around 11 hours 15 minutes is how long you'll be traveling on a direct Istanbul to Tokyo flight.
Tokyo is six hours ahead of Istanbul and observes the UTC+9 timezone.
Istanbul Airport (IST) to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 12 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Istanbul to Tokyo is with ANA at 18:10. Choose the first IST to HND departure with Turkish Airlines at 02:00 to maximize your time in Tokyo.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Istanbul to Tokyo flight.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Tokyo
Score cheap Istanbul to Tokyo flights by booking 11 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding the biggest deals.
Schedule your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Tokyo. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Istanbul to Tokyo.
Lock in a cheap Istanbul to Tokyo flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Tokyo taking off from Istanbul Airport (IST). Start your trip at IST and then touch down at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) or Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).
Lock in your Istanbul to Tokyo plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This carrier is a popular choice for direct flights from IST.
We make it simple to find a Istanbul to Tokyo flight with a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Istanbul Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Located around 32 kilometers from the center of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your vacation? Stay near Istanbul Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Tokyo or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Istanbul to Tokyo flight, check out these options when setting off from Istanbul Sabiha Airport:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
You can reach SAW from central Istanbul in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to cover the 31 kilometers or so.
Kick off your vacation early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Istanbul to Tokyo, kick back in one of these hotels close to Istanbul Sabiha Airport:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport has an on-time performance of 68%. This figure gives an insight into how frequently flights that take off from this airport make it to their destination on time.
Arriving in Tokyo
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
The distance from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to central Tokyo is approximately 16 kilometers. It'll take you around 25 minutes to reach the center driving.
If you're traveling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 30 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Tokyo, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near HND:
Pick up a Tokyo Haneda Airport rental car and explore Tokyo and beyond with your own set of wheels. Europcar, Nissan Rent a Car and Times are popular providers to choose from here.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Tokyo Haneda Airport about three weeks ahead of your departure.
The street address for HND is 3丁目 Hanedakuko, Ota.
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT)
The center of Tokyo is around 64 kilometers from Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). After your flight from Istanbul to Tokyo has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour on public transport.
After your flight from Istanbul to Tokyo, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to NRT. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or long cab lines. Pick up a Tokyo Narita Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Check out the availability and rates from Airport Car Rental, JDM Rent a car and Miki Car Rental.
Snap up a deal by reserving your ride from NRT four weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater selection of vehicles.
Tokyo Narita Airport is located at 成田空港第2PTB(バス), Narita.
Best time to go to Tokyo
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from Istanbul to Tokyo. April is the busiest month for a trip to Tokyo. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, go in March.
Book a Istanbul to Tokyo ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Tokyo to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 9ºC (48ºF) and 15ºC (59ºF). Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Tokyo around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Tokyo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Tokyo right here. Explore these options after locking in your flight from Istanbul to Tokyo:
TOKYO SKYTREE and Sensho-ji are just a couple of the big attractions to put on your Tokyo itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Ginza Central Street.
Explore more of Japan
You've done Tokyo, now it's time to explore other corners of Japan. Travel about 402 kilometers west to Osaka to check off its popular sights. From Dotonbori to Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you're eager to discover another side of Japan, head for Nagoya, about 257 kilometers west of Tokyo. Nagoya Castle, Sky Promenade and Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium are highlights.