Flying from Cairo Airport (CAI) to Istanbul Airport (IST): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport is 2 hours 25 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is one hour ahead of Cairo.
Flights from CAI to IST start at 00:25 — the earliest with EgyptAir. The last departure is at 23:30 with EgyptAir. Overall, there are 48 weekly Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport flights.
Leave plenty of time to catch your CAI to IST flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak month like August? Major public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues and delays at airport checkpoints. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to discover the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if you have time.
The airline that serves the most passengers on this route is Turkish Airlines.
We make it a piece of cake to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between CAI and IST include:
Athens International Airport
Antalya Airport
Beirut Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairo Airport (CAI) to Istanbul Airport (IST)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport flight is $248. A return fare is currently $425. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.
To get cheap tickets from CAI to IST, reserve your trip 11 months before your departure.
The cheapest month for flights from Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest airfares if you have a flexible travel schedule.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from CAI to IST by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Discover the right flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Handy information about Cairo Airport (CAI)
When it comes to the on-time performance of Cairo Airport, 65% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Cairo Airport is around 23 kilometres from central Cairo. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
The journey on public transport typically takes 1 hour.
Looking for a convenient hotel near CAI? If you're boarding an early flight from Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from your check-in counter:
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you have a late Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport flight, nothing tops the convenience of being close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Pick up a Istanbul Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular providers to choose from here.
For the lowest price, reserve your ride from Istanbul Airport about two weeks ahead.
Getting from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Airport, Istanbul is approximately 40 kilometres away. It takes around 45 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Airport (IST)
The quietest month for a flight from Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport is March, while August is the busiest. Pick the best time to go to Istanbul based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Istanbul is July, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Cairo Airport to Istanbul Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CAI to IST in January. Temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC then.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
If you want to check out another major destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are among the biggest draws.