Travelling from Erbil International Airport (EBL) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for around 2 hours 33 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Erbil (the location of Erbil International Airport).
With 99 flights a week between the two airports, Erbil International Airport (EBL) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 02:50. If you'd like to make the most of your day before taking off, the latest flight from EBL to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 21:45.
Give yourself enough time to catch your flight from EBL to Istanbul. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months such as July and other peak seasons. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
You can get a direct flight from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul. Begin your journey at EBL and end it at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Multiple airlines operate direct flights from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul. Some of the most well-known are:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even explore a different city. When searching for flights from EBL to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Antalya Airport (AYT)
Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
Trabzon Airport (TZX)
When travelling to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you will require an e-visa if you hold a passport from Iraq. However, visa rules can change and you may need additional documents depending on the length and purpose of your trip. Always check the most up-to-date guidelines before booking your cheap ticket from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul.
To get to EBL from central Erbil, it takes about 22 minutes by car. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 11 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Want a handy hotel close to EBL? If you're boarding an early flight from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul, these stays will have you moments from check-in:
How to find the cheapest flights from Erbil International Airport (EBL) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul is Rs15,532. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs31,896. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Score cheap tickets from EBL to Istanbul by booking at least 3 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
November is the cheapest month for tickets from Erbil 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 across every month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll get in touch straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time searching for flight tickets from EBL to Istanbul every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul is around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
It'll take around 1 hour and 45 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 57 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from EBL to Istanbul, settle in at a hotel near SAW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month for flights from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, travel to Istanbul in February when things are quieter.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from EBL to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just a couple of the top-rated attractions to put on your Istanbul travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Erbil International Airport to Istanbul isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and explore on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.