Flying from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL): what you need to know
Around 3 hours 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
The timezone in Helsinki is UTC+2, which is one hour behind Istanbul.
Every week, there are 20 Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport flights. If you prefer to get going as early as possible, jump on the 08:00 Turkish Airlines flight. If you'd rather make the most of your day before you fly, the latest flight is at 15:15 with Turkish Airlines.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your IST to HEL flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
During popular months such as April, it's best to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during peak periods in general.
Turkish Airlines is your gateway to discovering Helsinki (and perhaps some other exciting parts of Finland!). Browse the direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport offered by this popular airline.
The majority of travellers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines on this route.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers between IST and HEL include:
Riga International Airport
Frederic Chopin Airport
Tallinn Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
Right now, ر.ق. 379 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is ر.ق. 741. Remember that fares may change due to availability when booking.
Score cheap tickets from IST to HEL by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
December is the cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
There's no need to check every day to see if fares have gone down when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment the price changes on cheap flights from IST to HEL.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 50 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Taking public transport? Expect a trip time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near IST? If you're catching an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
Arriving at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
If you're arriving on a late Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport flight, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting shortly after at one of these options near HEL:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Helsinki-Vantaa Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Green Motion, Alamo or addCar to explore Helsinki and beyond.
Lock in the best rate by booking your ride from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport around two weeks ahead of your departure.
Getting from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) to central Helsinki
From Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Helsinki is approximately 19 kilometres away. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It'll take around 45 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
When to fly to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
The quietest month for a flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is February, while June is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to Helsinki based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.
Lock in your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport for July if you'd like to explore Helsinki during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 12ºC and 26ºC.
January has average temperatures of between -12ºC and 3ºC. Search for cheap tickets from IST to HEL sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
Explore more of Finland
You've done Helsinki, now it's time to discover more of Finland. Travel about 16 kilometres west to Espoo to check off its popular sights. From Kannusilta riverside walk to Leijonapuisto and Olarsängen, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 161 kilometres north-west of Helsinki, Tampere is another favourite stop in Finland. Start your sightseeing at Tampere Cathedral, Pyynikki Observation Tower and Moomin Museum.