Travelling from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport (MCT): What you need to know
Istanbul has two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport (MCT) heading out from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Hop on a direct Istanbul to Muscat International Airport flight and you'll be in the air for around 4 hours 55 minutes.
Muscat International Airport is located in Muscat. The city follows the UTC+4 timezone and is one hour ahead of Istanbul.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Muscat International Airport (MCT) is the most popular route. There are 15 direct weekly departures to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, take the last flight with Turkish Airlines at 7:20pm. Go for the first IST to MCT departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 1:20am if getting there sooner works for you.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Make sure you're at the airport on time to board your flight from Istanbul to MCT.
Peak season means busier airports, so plan to arrive even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for international journeys to stick to your schedule.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport (MCT) depart from this terminal.
When departing from IST, you can catch a direct flight from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport with Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines is the most frequently chosen airline for flights from IST to MCT.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing cheap flights from Istanbul to MCT departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to get ideas for where to visit along the way. Popular options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a comfortable hotel close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping just around the corner from the terminal:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
You can book a direct Istanbul to Muscat International Airport (MCT) flight ticket with departures from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). See if flying from SAW works better for your plans.
From SAW, direct flights from Istanbul to MCT can be booked with Pegasus.
Pegasus ranks number one in bookings on the SAW to MCT route.
Fly with Pegasus if punctuality is a priority. Its flights between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Muscat International Airport land as scheduled 85.71% of the time.
Check a new destination off your list or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport, check out these options when taking off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
You can arrive at SAW from the centre of Istanbul in approximately 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your Istanbul to MCT flight? Relax in a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your adventure officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
76.93% of flights leaving Sabiha Gokcen International Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
About Muscat International Airport (MCT)
Have a late flight from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport? Don't let it end in exhaustion. Stay at one of these hotels near MCT and get cosy, quick:
Go where the road takes you with a Muscat International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Europcar, Alamo or Green Motion and find adventure across Muscat and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride around two weeks before your Istanbul to Muscat International Airport flight.
Getting from Muscat International Airport (MCT) to central Muscat
Muscat International Airport is about 10 kilometres from central Muscat. The time it takes to get there in a car hire or cab will depend on the time of day. Do a little research before you go.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 50 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport (MCT)
$130 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport. A return flight starts at $265. These prices may change depending on availability and demand.
To snag cheap flights from Istanbul to MCT, book your flight ticket five months ahead of your planned departure.
The best month for picking up cheap Istanbul to Muscat International Airport tickets is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the lowest fares.
You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's a better deal on flight tickets from Istanbul to MCT.
Hunt down a great price on a flight from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport (MCT)
It's time to decide your travel dates for your flight from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport (MCT). July is the most popular month to visit Muscat. If a slower pace sounds more appealing, think about going in April.
The warmest month in Muscat is June, with temperatures ranging between 29ºC and 38ºC. Lock in your Istanbul to MCT flight ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January has temperatures of between 16ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Muscat
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Muscat right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Muscat International Airport:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Beach, Wadi Shabib and Sheikh Khalili Mosque are must-do's during your Muscat adventure.
Explore more of Oman
Muscat has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of Oman just waiting to be explored. About 177 kilometres north-west of Muscat, a trip to Sohar will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like Sohar Fort, Al-Ruheili Mosque and Sultan Qaboos Grand Masjid Suhar.
If you're interested in discovering another major stop in Oman, head for As Suwayq, about 88 kilometres west of Muscat. Suwaiq Beach شاطيء السويق, As Suwayq Castle and Wall Almanawrah are highlights.
