Traveling from Milan to Istanbul: what you need to know
When searching for a flight from Milan to Istanbul, there's a good selection of airports you can take off from. Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP), Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY) and Milano Linate Airport (LIN) are some of Milan's main terminals.
Hop off your plane in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
The average duration of a direct Milan to Istanbul flight is 2 hours 50 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is two hours ahead of Milan.
The most popular route for flights from Milan to Istanbul is from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can select from 28 services every week between these two airports. If you want to be on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from MXP to IST is the 06:50 Turkish Airlines service. If you prefer to travel later, the last scheduled departure is at 20:10 with Turkish Airlines.
To ensure you don't miss your Milan to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Milan to Istanbul
Book three months before you want to travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Milan to Istanbul flights.
June is the best month for nabbing an awesome deal on a plane ticket from Milan to Istanbul. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Locking in a cheap flight from Milan 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 let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Milan to Istanbul flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Milan
Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)
You can catch a direct flight from Milan to Istanbul jetting off from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP). Start your journey at MXP and end it at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Secure your Milan to Istanbul plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This airline is a top pick for direct flights from MXP.
We make it easy to find a Milan to Istanbul flight with a stopover. To see your options leaving from Milano Malpensa Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
MXP is around 40 kilometers from central Milan. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the center, it'll take you 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 55 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel near Milano Malpensa Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Milan to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you sleeping nice and close to your departure gate:
68.23% of flights that take off from Milano Malpensa Airport touch down at their destination on time.
Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY)
You can catch a nonstop flight from Milan to Istanbul out of Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY). Start your trip at BGY and step off the plane at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Book your direct Milan to Istanbul plane ticket with Pegasus. This is one of the main airlines operating this route out of BGY.
Get the most out of your vacation with a stopover on your Milan to Istanbul flight. Visit family or friends or cross another city off your list. Whatever you decide to do, check out these options between Orio al Serio International Airport and Istanbul:
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
BGY is around 48 kilometers from central Milan. It takes 1 hour or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city center. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours 20 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Milan to Istanbul? Kick back in a hotel near Orio al Serio International Airport before your break officially begins. These stays are calling your name:
68% of flights out of Orio al Serio International Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Milano Linate Airport (LIN)
Choosing a ticket from Milan to Istanbul with one or more stops can offer you a bigger choice of departure times along with better fares. When jetting off from Milano Linate Airport (LIN), here's where you can make a pit stop at on your way to Istanbul:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
From central Milan, LIN is around 8 kilometers away. It takes roughly 30 minutes to get to the airport by car and 45 minutes or so if you're on public transport.
Make catching an early Milan to Istanbul flight the easiest part of your journey. Stay at one of these accommodation options near Milano Linate Airport and get to the check-in counter with time to spare:
The on-time performance rate of LIN is 79.56%. In other words, that's how often flights from this airport arrive at their final stop as planned.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 32 kilometers. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the center driving.
It usually takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Milan to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Travel at your own pace with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and discover more of Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance can help you secure the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is roughly 31 kilometers from the center of Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Milan to Istanbul, it takes approximately 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you hop on public transport, you'll reach the center in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Milan to Istanbul:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Pick up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Get exactly what you want. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the busiest month for flights from Milan to Istanbul. To travel when it's less crowded, head to Istanbul in February.
Book a Milan to Istanbul ticket departing in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Milan to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Istanbul right here. Explore these hotels after locking in your flight from Milan to Istanbul:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are top attractions which should feature on every Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered after you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometers to the east, top sights here include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 322 kilometers south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.
