Travelling from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Around 10 hours 21 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is 5 hours behind Kuala Lumpur, where Kuala Lumpur International Airport is located.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 20 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from KUL to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 23:45. Go for the first departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 08:50 if you want to fly out earlier.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your flight from KUL to Istanbul.
During popular months such as August, it's wise to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights when you fly during high season in general.
Nonstop flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Istanbul are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) will be your arrival point.
Turkish Airlines is a well-known carrier that operates direct flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from KUL to Istanbul. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing the departures. Take a pause at one of these popular airports:
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
If you hold a passport from Malaysia and are travelling to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, visa and entry requirements may differ based on the duration of your stay and can be subject to change. For the latest information, check with your destination's nearest embassy or consulate before booking a cheap ticket from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul.
Located around 64 kilometres from the centre of Kuala Lumpur, KUL can be reached in approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey on public transport takes roughly 4 hours and 29 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to KUL:
How to find the cheapest flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) to Istanbul
ر.ق. 873 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ر.ق. 1,594. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
Lock in cheap tickets from KUL to Istanbul by booking 10 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
Plan your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll get notified right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time searching for cheap flight tickets from KUL to Istanbul every day.
Play around with the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is about 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 57 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from KUL to Istanbul:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month to hop on a flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to visit Istanbul, consider whether you prefer a lively vibe or a quieter pace.
Book your flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul for August to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap flights from KUL to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
After locking in your flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your Istanbul must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Select one of our car rentals in Istanbul and see the sights at your own pace. Easily compare companies in one place to find your perfect ride once you've booked your hotel and cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Istanbul.
