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Flights to Istanbul (IST)
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Fly to Istanbul with KLM
Together with our global network, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers flights to Istanbul, serving Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) and Atatürk Airport (IST). Make the most of your trip to Turkey with our convenient departure and arrival times. Our flights to your Turkish Delights fit your schedule, not the other way around.
Top Istanbul attractions
- Hagia Sophia: this building was once a Greek Orthodox Christian basilica, then an imperial mosque and is now a museum.
- Topkapi Palace: a 15th century palace, and the home of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years.
- Grand Bazaar: one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4.000 shops which attract between 250.000 and 400.000 visitors daily
- Blue Mosque: a massive mosque which dominates the skyline of Istanbul, built in 1609.
- Basilica Cistern: an underground water system built in the year 532, using 336 columns salvaged from ruined temples.
Visit our travel guide to find out more on the city of Istanbul, where Europe meets Asia. This populous city has been the centre of power struggles between the old empires since its foundation around the year 1000 BC. Its historical legacy is everywhere you look, sharing the space with the modern art and music scene. The Bosphorous Tour will show you great landscapes, and if you take a boat to the Prince Island's you'll find beautiful beaches to dip and enjoy.
What’s the best way to get around Istanbul?
The Istanbul One Day Sightseeing Tour picks you up and drops you off at your hotel, and covers all the basic and most popular landmarks. The Istanbul Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour takes more time and covers more sites. The city also has cheap public transport consisting of buses, dolmuses (minibuses), trams and a metro. The metro connects to the airport, important sites, and bus stations. These options are crowded, and you must buy the tickets in advance at the kiosks. Tourists might prefer to use dolmuses or taxis for comfort purposes, but make sure the meter works so that you're not overcharged. Traffic jams are common, so be patient and flexible with your schedule.
What’s the weather in Istanbul?
The city is very humid, and there is a lot of fog in both summer and in winter. Summers are quite hot, with temperatures averaging around 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F) in July and August. The best time to visit is in between May and June or September and October, as these months are slightly cooler, with a high temperature of 30°C (86°F). Winters can come with rainfall and snow, but overall Istanbul is a nice 15°C (59°F).