Travelling from Melbourne to Istanbul: what you need to know
Melbourne's main base, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), is where many great holidays begin. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from Melbourne to Istanbul.
When it comes to planning your arrival in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the chief entry points.
Istanbul is eight hours behind Melbourne and observes the UTC+3 timezone.
To ensure you catch your Melbourne to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You can expect longer lines during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Istanbul
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap Melbourne to Istanbul flights if you book ahead. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across each month when looking for your plane ticket from Melbourne to Istanbul.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Melbourne to Istanbul.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Melbourne to Istanbul flights.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Melbourne to Istanbul flight. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK)
The journey from central Melbourne to MEL takes around 40 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Catching an early flight from Melbourne to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
When it comes to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport's on-time performance, 67.71% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is approximately 32 kilometres. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes to get there on public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Melbourne to Istanbul. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's main sights.
Booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Melbourne to Istanbul has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is approximately 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
The journey will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Melbourne to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel near SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means better deals and a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Istanbul, while April is the most popular. Figure out the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your Melbourne to Istanbul ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for cheap flights from Melbourne to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Melbourne to Istanbul, check out our range of accommodation options including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just a couple of the popular attractions to add to your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you busy. Check out popular attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're looking to explore another great destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square are key reasons to visit.
