Flying from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 2 hours 20 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul.
Cairo International Airport is located in Cairo. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 1 hour ahead of Cairo.
The most popular route is from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can select from 68 services every week between these two airports. If you want to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from CAI to IST is the 00:25 EgyptAir option. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 23:30 with EgyptAir.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from CAI to Istanbul.
You can expect longer lines during popular months such as August and other peak periods. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
You can book a direct flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul. Start your trip at CAI and arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
A number of airlines operate direct flights from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul. The most well-known include:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from CAI to Istanbul. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for the departures. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY)
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Antalya Airport (AYT)
If you hold a passport from Egypt, you'll need an e-visa to visit Türkiye (Turkey). This applies if you're booking a cheap ticket from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always consult official visa guidelines ahead of booking and certainly before flying.
Located around 21 kilometres from the centre of Cairo, CAI can be reached in approximately 31 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays near CAI:
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul is Rs22,977. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs52,337. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book 8 months before your departure date. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from CAI to Istanbul.
April is the cheapest month for tickets from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Locking in a cheap ticket from CAI to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has fallen.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul. Simply select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel close to IST if you're catching a late flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is about 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 57 minutes.
You can also travel by public transport, which will take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from CAI to Istanbul:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month to catch a flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to go to Istanbul, consider the pace you like to travel at.
When booking your flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap flights from CAI to Istanbul 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
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul, explore our range of hotels including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the popular attractions to put on your Istanbul to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Cairo International Airport to Istanbul isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and have more freedom to explore. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
