Travelling from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for around 11 hours 35 minutes.
O'Hare International Airport is located in Chicago. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is 8 hours ahead of Chicago.
With 19 flights a week between the two airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 11:25. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the last departure from ORD to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 21:20.
Leave enough time to catch your flight from ORD to Istanbul. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Going away during a peak time like August? High seasons (like summer, Christmas/New Year and spring break) can easily add another hour at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
You can reserve a direct flight from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul. Start your trip at ORD and end it at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Book your seat with Turkish Airlines. This popular carrier operates direct flights from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and maybe even explore a different city. When browsing flights from ORD to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
If you hold a passport from United States and want to travel to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may vary based on the length and purpose of your stay and can be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, check with your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before booking a cheap ticket from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul.
Travelling from central Chicago to ORD takes about 54 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a handy hotel near ORD? If you're catching an early flight from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure lounge:
How to find the cheapest flights from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Istanbul
Rs62,594 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul. For a return flight on this route, the best price is Rs156,345. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Book 2 months before your departure date. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from ORD to Istanbul.
October is the cheapest month for tickets from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Create a Price Alert for flight tickets from ORD to Istanbul. There's no need to check every day to see whether fares have dropped. We'll tell you the moment there's a change in price.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul. Simply select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
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.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near IST:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 57 minutes.
You can also travel using public transport, which will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
There are some great places where you can rest ahead of your adventure near SAW. Kick back and get cosy after your flight from ORD to Istanbul at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month to catch a flight from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to go to Istanbul, consider whether you prefer a lively vibe or a quieter pace.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from ORD to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are essential stops on your Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Istanbul and explore the city on your own terms. Easily compare companies in one go to find the perfect ride once you've booked your hotel and cheap flights from O'Hare International Airport to Istanbul.
