Cheap flights from Tel Aviv to Istanbul

All you need to know about flights from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport TLV to Istanbul Ataturk Airport IST and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport SAW

Airlines that fly from Tel Aviv to Istanbul

Three Turkish carriers operate 13-14 daily flights from Tel Aviv to Istanbul: Pegasus Airlines flies from Ben Gurion Airport to Istanbul Sabiha SAW; Atlasglobal and Turkish Airlines fly to Istanbul Ataturk IST. It is very common to travel with these airlines to other destinations with a short and convenient stopover in Istanbul’s airports.

Check all the airlines that fly to Istanbul

Terminal Information - Departing

All flights from Tel Aviv to Istanbul depart Ben Gurion Airport TLV Terminal 3. Free Wifi service is provided in all areas of the airport. You can find power sockets spread across the terminal’s gates. At the Duty-Free area, you will find fashion stores, gadgets and electronics, and local and international wines, beers and liquors.

There are several cafes and restaurants, served by a large seating area at the food court. In Terminal 3 you will find numerous restaurants and cafes where you can satisfy your cravings. There are two Dan Lounges, and if you have a premium credit card, you can get in for a discount or even for free. It’s recommended to arrive three hours before your departure due to security measures. If you commute to the airport by train, the station is called נתב”ג - נמל התעופה בן גוריון and it’s located just outside terminal 3.

Terminal Information - Arriving

Istanbul Atatürk IST: The airport is located 24 km from the city center, on its European side. Istanbul is the city with the most connecting flights from Israel to destinations across Europe and the Americas. A boarding card for your connecting flight will be issued for you at the transit desk of the relevant handling company on the Arrivals floor, in case it wasn’t issued already in Tel Aviv. If you are a passenger in transit, you don’t need to go through passport control after Tel Aviv Istanbul flights. Simply proceed directly through the transit area into the International Departures area. Baggage will be automatically transferred to the connecting flight. You can pass the time until your connecting flight at the large Duty-Free shopping center, and enjoy a free Wi-Fi service for up to two hours.

If you visit the city, take the Metro line M1A. The line goes through some major parts of the European side of the city, including the intercity bus terminal all the way to Yenikapı. Buses to Bakırköy, Yenikapı, Aksaray, Taksim Square run every 30 minutes.

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport SAW: Cheap flights from Tel Aviv to Istanbul arrive at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, on the Asian side of the bi-continental city. This airport is popular for cheap connecting flights to main cities in Europe. If you are connecting to another flight, you need to follow the same procedure as in Atatürk Airport. Visit the shopping facilities before your next flight. Wifi service is available for a fixed price. A few restaurants will give you one hour of free Wi-Fi when you dine inside. If you visit Istanbul, shuttle buses E10 and E11 serve Taksim and Kadikoy, and there are several services to nearby cities.

Things you should know

As an Israeli passport holder, you are allowed to stay in the country for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. Book flights from Tel Aviv to Istanbul after you made sure that your passport is valid for the whole duration of your stay. Make sure your passport is valid enough time before your flight, so you will have sufficient time to renew it if needed.

Useful Information about Istanbul - איסטנבול

Istanbul is cheaper than Tel Aviv in every aspect. Beers and meals in restaurants and bars are 50%-70% cheaper compared to Tel Aviv. If you visit Istanbul, you will find that the public transportation is over 60% cheaper than is Israel, clothes, and shoes cost around 50% less. When you fly from Tel Aviv to Istanbul, you do not need to change the clock, as Turkey is in the same time zone as Israel.

Must visit in Istanbul: The iconic Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Hagia Sophia - a Byzantine basilica museum, the historic Topkapı Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Hippodrome of Constantinople, Golden Horn, Chora Church, Bosphorus Bridge, and of course - Taksim Square. There are many bazaars such as the colorful Grand Bazaar and the historic Spice Bazaar. You can take a boat trip from the iconic Maiden's Tower or get a stunning panoramic view from the ancient fortress of Rumelihisarı.

How to find cheap flights to Istanbul

Tel Aviv Istanbul flights can cost $295 (₪1,000), but if you are flexible travelers, you can significantly lower the costs of your trip. Instead of searching flights on specific dates search “whole month”; in some cases, you’d be able to find tickets for less than $110 (around ₪420) round-trip.

The best time to book your cheap flights to from Tel Aviv to Istanbul is 21 weeks before your planned trip; it can save you 15% compared to booking flights on shorter notice. The cheapest months to find cheap flights from Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Istanbul are February and November when flights are 23% cheaper compared to the average price. Top-tip from our experts: when you search Tel Aviv Istanbul flights, sign up for Price Alert, and we’ll drop you an email whenever there’s a price change.

This information is correct as of March 2018