- Must visit
Topkapı Palace
Former imperial residence with courtyards, treasury displays and pavilions that reveal Ottoman court life over several centuries.
Flights from Athens to Istanbul depart on average 26 times per day, taking around 3h 1m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at £51 if you book in advance.
There are 13 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 00:20, the last at 23:55. The fastest flight covers the 560 km distance in 1h 25m. May is the cheapest month to fly.
Distance 560 km |
Average flight duration 3h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price £51 |
Flights per day 26 |
Direct flights 13 |
Fastest flight 1h 25m |
First flight 0:20 |
Last flight 23:55 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 35 days |
Cheapest price
£90
Average price
£350
Fastest journey
1 h 25 m
Average duration
1 h 25 m
Flights per day
39
Distance
560 km
The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from Athens to Istanbul is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Athens to Istanbul will cost around £350 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap flight tickets today for only £90.
Of the 39 flights that leave Athens for Istanbul every day 16 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct flights cover the 560 km distance in an average of 1 h 25 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 1 h 25 m .
The slowest flights will take 1 h 25 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
GQ670
A3990
PC1192
TK1842
A3300 · A3434
PC1192
A33150
TK1846
TK1842
A33162The table below shows live departures for Athens to Istanbul flights for today, Friday 21 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated flight journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A3308 · A3434 | 11:25 Athens International Airport | 5h10 | 16:35 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
TK9192 | 13:10 Athens International Airport | 1h35 | 14:45 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A3992 | 13:10 Athens International Airport | 1h35 | 14:45 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A3116 · A3504 | 13:10 Athens International Airport | 3h25 | 16:35 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
AZ715+ AZ7034 | 13:20 Athens International Airport | 10h15 | 23:35 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
TK1850 | 15:55 Athens International Airport | 1h40 | 17:35 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A33152 | 15:55 Athens International Airport | 1h40 | 17:35 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
TK9194 | 18:25 Athens International Airport | 1h30 | 19:55 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A3994 | 18:25 Athens International Airport | 1h30 | 19:55 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
PC1194 | 20:25 Athens International Airport | 1h25 | 21:50 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A33150 | 22:00 Athens International Airport | 1h25 | 23:25 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
TK1846 | 22:00 Athens International Airport | 1h25 | 23:25 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
G9819 · G9321 | 23:45 Athens International Airport | 13h35 | 13:20 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
G9819 · G9285 | 23:45 Athens International Airport | 24h35 | 0:20 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport | 1 change | |
| Saturday 22 August | |||||
TK1842 | 4:00 Athens International Airport | 1h25 | 5:25 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A33162 | 4:00 Athens International Airport | 1h25 | 5:25 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
AZ717+ AZ7032 | 6:05 Athens International Airport | 8h30 | 14:35 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
AZ717+ AZ7036 | 6:05 Athens International Airport | 13h10 | 19:15 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
AZ717+ AZ7034 | 6:05 Athens International Airport | 17h30 | 23:35 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
AZ717+ AZ7050 | 6:05 Athens International Airport | 12h15 | 18:20 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport | 1 change | |
AZ717+ AZ7060 | 6:05 Athens International Airport | 9h20 | 15:25 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport | 1 change | |
A3300 · A3434 | 6:35 Athens International Airport | 10h35 | 17:10 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
GQ670 | 7:00 Athens International Airport | 1h30 | 8:30 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A3304 · A3434 | 8:00 Athens International Airport | 9h10 | 17:10 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
A3348 · A3438 | 8:00 Athens International Airport | 13h25 | 21:25 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
TK9190 | 8:00 Athens International Airport | 1h35 | 9:35 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A3990 | 8:00 Athens International Airport | 1h35 | 9:35 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A3306 · A3434 | 10:00 Athens International Airport | 7h10 | 17:10 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
A3354 · A3438 | 10:05 Athens International Airport | 11h20 | 21:25 Istanbul Airport | 1 change | |
TK1844 | 10:25 Athens International Airport | 1h35 | 12:00 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
A33154 | 10:25 Athens International Airport | 1h35 | 12:00 Istanbul Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
PC1192 | 10:25 Athens International Airport | 1h25 | 11:50 Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last flight of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Discover the best of Istanbul — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Istanbul trip today.
Former imperial residence with courtyards, treasury displays and pavilions that reveal Ottoman court life over several centuries.
Underground Byzantine cistern with forest-like columns, atmospheric lighting and raised walkways near Hagia Sophia.
Leading modern art museum on the Bosphorus showing Turkish and international contemporary works in a striking waterfront building.
Lively historic avenue linking Taksim and Galata, lined with shops, arcades, consulates and landmarks, ideal for an urban walk.
Historic square beside major monuments, ideal for walking between monumental sites, gardens and fountains in the old city.
Colourful waterfront quarter with ferry views, street life, markets and an easy local feel on Istanbul’s Asian side.
A sesame-crusted bread ring sold by street vendors. It is an everyday Istanbul snack, especially popular at breakfast and with tea.
Baked potatoes filled with butter, cheese and varied toppings. This hearty street food is closely associated with the Ortaköy area of Istanbul.
Thin slices of lamb or beef cooked on a vertical spit and served in bread or on a plate. A defining fast food of Istanbul and wider Turkey.
Historic Sultanahmet restaurant known for Ottoman and Turkish dishes in a traditional setting near major old-city sights.
Traditional pudding shop in Fatih famed for sütlaç, kazandibi and other classic Turkish milk desserts in a simple historic venue.
Well-known meyhane-style venue by the Bosphorus, popular for meze, seafood and rakı in a lively waterside setting.
Moderate for a major city: hotels vary widely, meals can be cheap, and public transport is low-cost compared with many European city breaks.
Tip 5-10% in restaurants if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. In cafés, leaving small change is customary but not essential.
Official public transport app
Istanbul Airport, Istanbul -> Gayrettepe, Istanbul
There are numerous daily flights from Athens to Istanbul. Flights between these two capital cities are direct or indirect and take between 1 hour and 20 minutes and 5 hours and 55 minutes. The airlines traveling this route include, but are not limited to, national carriers Turkish Airlines and Olympic Airlines, low-cost flyer Pegasus Airlines, Aegean Airlines, and Egypt Air. Direct flights are fastest, and there are between 8 and 9 daily direct flights along this route.
National carriers Turkish Airlines and Olympic Airlines, low-cost flyer Pegasus Airlines, as well as Aegean Airlines, and Egypt Air fly from Athens to Istanbul daily. These 5 airlines tend to offer the fastest flights available overall. Pegasus and Aegean typically have the fastest flight time on their morning and evening flights.
Passengers can expect flying from Athens to Istanbul to take between 1 hour and 20 minutes and 5 hours and 55 minutes. Direct flights are faster, although some efficient indirect flights are available with one short stopover on the way to Istanbul.
There are usually between 8 and 9 direct flights each day, and numerous more indirect options are available. Direct flights are evenly scheduled throughout the day. The daily timetable starts just before 6:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday with Aegean Airlines, and the last departure of the day is typically around 10:25 p.m. Flight frequency and departure times don't vary considerably across weekdays and weekends.
Departure airport: Flights depart from Athens International Airport, Athens main airport, with two terminals, free WiFi and a range of shopping and dining experiences for passengers waiting for flights. Athens Airport is on Metro Line 3 and it takes roughly 1 hour to reach the airport from central Athens.
Arrival airport: Flights arrive at one of two Istanbul airports: Istanbul Ataturk International Airport, or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. Ataturk Airport is roughly 12 miles from central Istanbul and takes 45 minutes on the Metro and Tram systems. Sabiha Gokcen is roughly 90 minutes away from central Istanbul via Airport shuttle.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Athens to Istanbul by flight. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest flight, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Istanbul, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Athens to Istanbul flights use the Athens International Airport to Istanbul Airport airport pair, with some services landing at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. Use this guide to compare Athens and Istanbul airports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like airport facilities and services.
Athens International Airport is 4 km from Athens city centre. Public transport options include:
Athens International Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, Lounge and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport for 45 minutes. ATMs are located throughout the airport, including arrivals and departures areas.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Athens International Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Athens International Airport: Elevators, ramps.
Istanbul Airport is 32 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
Istanbul Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, Lounge and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport for two hours. ATMs are located throughout the airport, offering services from various banks.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Istanbul Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Istanbul Airport: Elevators, ramps.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is 7 km from Istanbul city centre. Public transport options include:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, Lounge and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located in arrivals and departures areas.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport: Ramps, assistance.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need