Flying from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): What you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Tokyo. Check out your options departing from Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT) when planning your flight from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
13 hours 25 minutes is the average travel time for a direct Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul. The city operates on the UTC+3 timezone and is six hours behind Tokyo.
The most popular route is from Haneda Airport (HND) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), with 12 direct weekly services. If you'd rather get moving right away, the earliest flight from HND to IST is the 8:15am ANA service. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 10:05pm with Turkish Airlines.
Your flight from Tokyo to IST won't wait if you're late, so get to the airport with time to spare. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're flying internationally.
In high season, allow for longer wait times and arrive earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international trips.
Airports in Tokyo
Haneda Airport (HND)
Go straight to your destination from Haneda Airport (HND). Nonstop flights from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) are available from here.
Turkish Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct flights from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport leaving from HND.
Most travellers choose to book seats with Turkish Airlines from HND to IST.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even tour another city. When searching for cheap flights from Tokyo to IST departing from Haneda Airport (HND), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find out where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
The distance from central Tokyo to HND is around 16 kilometres. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take about 15 minutes to get there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
Have an early flight from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and get some bonus sleep) by staying at one of these hotels near Haneda Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Haneda Airport, data shows 73.52% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
HND is located at 3丁目 Hanedakuko, Ota.
Narita International Airport (NRT)
You can book a direct Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) flight ticket with departures from Narita International Airport (NRT). Work out whether departing from NRT makes the most sense for you.
From NRT, direct flights from Tokyo to IST are offered by Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines is the most popular choice for passengers flying from NRT to IST.
Turn your flight into part of the adventure with a stopover on your flight from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Check out these connections between Narita International Airport and IST:
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
Depending on traffic conditions, you can drive to NRT from Tokyo's centre in around 1 hour. The airport is roughly 64 kilometres away.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Tokyo to IST flight, unwind in one of these hotels near Narita International Airport:
Narita International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 70.53%. This figure gives an insight into how frequently flights that leave from this airport arrive on time.
You'll find NRT at 成田空港第2PTB(バス), Narita.
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Reserve a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Select one of these accommodation options and be in bed sooner:
Hit the road running by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car to explore Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight can help you score a better rate.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
The centre of Istanbul is roughly 32 kilometres from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary depending on traffic conditions, so do a little research before your trip.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
At the moment, ر.ق. 985 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is ر.ق. 1,793. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Tokyo to IST. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend.
Affordable Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport tickets are easier to find if you're not locked into specific dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to compare fares across each month and then choose the cheapest day.
Save time searching for cheap flight tickets from Tokyo to IST by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Save on your flight from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport by using filters. Choose your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
It's time to figure out when to book your flight from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). August is the busiest month to travel to Istanbul. If crowds aren't your thing, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your Tokyo to IST flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January when temperatures are between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Tokyo to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Hagia Sophia History Museum, Hagia Sophia Museum and Historic Areas of Istanbul are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Eskisehir is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Istanbul. Around 225 kilometres away to the south-east, well-known attractions include Eskişehir, Eskişehir and Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri.
Around 153 kilometres east of Istanbul, Adapazarı is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Ozanlar Ulu Cami, Güllük Cami and Valide Cami.