Travelling from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Tokyo: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 13 hours 27 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo.
Tokyo is 6 hours ahead of Istanbul, where Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located. Tokyo operates on the UTC+9 timezone.
With 10 weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Haneda Airport (HND) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 02:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before jetting off, the last departure from IST to HND is with Turkish Airlines at 02:35.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your flight from IST to Tokyo.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
You can catch a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo that lands at Haneda Airport (HND).
Turkish Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even explore a different city. When searching for flights from IST to Tokyo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
You won't need a visa for Japan if you hold a passport from Türkiye (Turkey) and are visiting for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements can change. So before reserving your cheap tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most up-to-date information.
Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Have an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these stays close to IST:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Tokyo
Rs99,452 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo. A return flight starts at Rs151,847. These fares can change based on demand and availability.
Score cheap tickets from IST to Tokyo by booking 8 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The cheapest month for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo is April. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Finding a cheap ticket from IST to Tokyo is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Tailor your travel plans with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo.
Airports in Tokyo
Haneda Airport (HND)
Haneda Airport (HND) to central Tokyo is about 16 minutes by car. It's approximately 16 kilometres away.
Book a hotel near HND if you have a late flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Central Tokyo is about 64 kilometres from Narita International Airport (NRT). As soon as your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 58 minutes.
There are some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near NRT. Unwind and get cosy after your flight from IST to Tokyo at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Tokyo
It's time to plan your travel dates for your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo. June is the busiest month to travel to Tokyo. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, go in February.
When booking your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Tokyo, with temperatures ranging from 26ºC to 29ºC.
February has average temperatures of between 15ºC and 20ºC. Look for cheap flights from IST to Tokyo sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Tokyo
After locking in your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Tokyo:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Tokyo Tower, Senso-ji Temple Yogodo and Mag's Park Rooftop Shibuya Crossing are attractions you won't want to skip in Tokyo.
Complete your Tokyo trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Tokyo isn't our only cool trick. Check out our car rentals in Tokyo and explore on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.