Flying from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): What you need to know
Start your vacation planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are Los Angeles's main airports.
Around 13 hours 15 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight.
Istanbul is ten hours ahead of Los Angeles. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul, which runs on the UTC+3 timezone.
The busiest route is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), with 15 direct services every week. If you're not one for hanging around, the earliest flight from LAX to IST is the 12:10am Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 7:55pm with Turkish Airlines.
Your flight from Los Angeles to IST won't wait if you're running late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're traveling internationally.
Peak travel periods mean busier airports, so be there even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for an international journey to stick to your schedule.
Airports in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Enjoy an uninterrupted journey from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Direct flights from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) are available from here.
When leaving from LAX, you can catch a direct flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with Turkish Airlines.
Most travelers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines between LAX and IST.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even visit a new city. When searching for cheap flights from Los Angeles to IST departing from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to get ideas for where to visit along the way. Here's where you could connect through:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
The journey from central Los Angeles to LAX takes about 55 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometers in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the ideal choice:
81.05% of flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport touch down at their destination according to schedule. Given its reliable on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when setting off from LAX.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
You can arrive at VNY from central Los Angeles in approximately 35 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to travel the 32 kilometers or so.
Flying out early in the morning? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Van Nuys Airport the day before your Los Angeles to IST flight:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Consider staying in a hotel close to IST if you're catching a late flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Pick one of these accommodation options and be in bed sooner:
Pick up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top outlets you can book with here.
To lock in the lowest price, book your ride around two weeks ahead of your Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
The center of Istanbul is around 32 kilometers from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Journey times by cab or car rental will vary based on time of day, so do a little research before you go.
Traveling by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Currently, $337 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $648. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Snap up cheap flights from Los Angeles to IST by booking 11 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
Plan your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport tickets. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
You don't need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a better deal comes up on plane tickets from Los Angeles to IST.
Hunt down a great price on a flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Think about the kind of vacation you want when deciding when to fly. February is the quietest month to go to Istanbul. August is when most people book flights from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), which may be ideal if you're chasing more excitement.
Book a Los Angeles to IST plane ticket departing in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these hotels once you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to work out where to start. Hagia Sophia History Museum, Hagia Sophia Museum and Historic Areas of Istanbul are top attractions which should feature on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've visited Istanbul, now it's time to discover other parts of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey about 225 kilometers south-east to Eskisehir to check off its must-visit sights. From Eskişehir to Eskişehir and Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Around 153 kilometers east of Istanbul, Adapazarı is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Start your sightseeing at Ozanlar Ulu Cami, Güllük Cami and Valide Cami.
