Travelling from Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul is 3 hours 1 minute.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Najaf (the location of Al-Ashraf International Airport).
With 6 weekly flights between the two airports, Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 05:15. If you'd like to make the most of your day before taking off, the latest departure from NJF to IST is with Iraqi Airways at 17:00.
To ensure you get on your flight from NJF to Istanbul, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
You can book a nonstop flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul that touches down at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Take to the skies with Iraqi Airways. This leading carrier offers direct flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul.
We make it a piece of cake to book a flight from NJF to Istanbul with a stopover. To see all your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
You will need an e-visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you have a passport from Iraq and are visiting for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements change frequently. So before you book your cheap ticket from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul, check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most recent updates.
NJF is around 23 kilometres from central Najaf. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 29 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Need a convenient place to stay before your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul? Granada Hotel and Royal Eagle Hotel are close to NJF. They're a particularly good choice if you have an early flight out.
How to find the cheapest flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF) to Istanbul
Rs46,810 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul. For a return flight on this route, the best price is Rs131,327. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
Lock in cheap tickets from NJF to Istanbul by booking 8 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
April is the cheapest month for tickets from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll get in touch straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from checking for flight tickets from NJF to Istanbul every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central 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.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
The journey will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near SAW. Settle in and get cosy after your flight from NJF to Istanbul at one of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul. August is the busiest month for a trip to Istanbul. If you like a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
Before locking in your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from NJF to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-do's during your Istanbul adventure.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and have more freedom to explore. 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.
