Flying from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
When searching for a flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), 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.
3 hours is the average journey time for a direct flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is 2 hours ahead of Milan. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul.
The most popular route is from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), with 39 direct services every week. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from MXP to IST is the 06:50 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 19:50 with Turkish Airlines.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Milan to IST. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid sprinting to your gate.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during peak periods in general.
Airports in Milan
Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP)
You can jump on a direct flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) leaving from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP).
If you plan to leave from MXP, you can catch a direct flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with Turkish Airlines.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even tour another city. When searching for flights from Milan to IST departing from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Naples International Airport (NAP)
Belgrad Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG)
Sofia Airport (SOF)
From central Milan, MXP is around 48 kilometres away. Check the official airport website or use navigation apps to find the best way to get there.
Have an early flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to Milano Malpensa Airport:
Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY)
Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY) offers direct flights from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
From BGY, direct flights from Milan to IST can be booked with Turkish Airlines.
Break up your flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with a stop so you can stretch your legs or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Top stopovers between Orio al Serio International Airport and IST are:
Skopje International Airport (SKP)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Sofia Airport (SOF)
You can reach BGY from the centre of Milan in approximately 58 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride by public transport will take roughly 2 hours and 18 minutes to travel the 64 kilometres or so.
Want to spoil yourself with an extra night away before catching your flight from Milan to IST? Check in to a hotel near Orio al Serio International Airport before your holiday officially begins. Check out these accommodation options:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you have a late flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near IST:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is approximately 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 50 minutes.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Pick up a one-way ticket from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport from ر.ق. 219 or travel return from just ر.ق. 524. Fares listed are subject to change and may differ when you make your booking.
To snag cheap tickets from Milan to IST, book your journey 9 months ahead of the departure date.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
Create a Price Alert and keep track of changes on this route through push notifications or email. We'll let you know when prices fall. Timing is key for finding cheap tickets from Milan to IST.
Customise your trip using filters. Choose the number of stops, duration, and departure and arrival times to find the right flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. You can also sort the results to see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' options first.
The best time to fly from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
February is the quietest time of year to travel to Istanbul. Alternatively, join the crowds and visit in August. This is the most popular month for flights from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, but the best time to go is up to you.
When booking your flight from Milan to IST, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport 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 booking your flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
One of the best ways to get to know Istanbul is to visit its leading attractions. Some highlights include Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
After you've locked in your hotel and cheap flight from Milan to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, the next step is choosing one of our car rentals in Istanbul. Check out the deals and instantly compare your options on price, pick-up convenience, fuel policies, and more.
