Travelling from Istanbul to Ottawa: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll board your flight from Istanbul to Ottawa. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's main airports.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is the primary arrival point in Ottawa.
The timezone in Ottawa is UTC-4, which is seven hours behind Istanbul.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to board your Istanbul to Ottawa flight.
During popular months such as August, it's a good idea to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Ottawa
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Istanbul to Ottawa flights if you book early. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird rates.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across each month when searching for your plane ticket from Istanbul to Ottawa.
Getting a cheap flight from Istanbul to Ottawa is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Istanbul to Ottawa flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing Istanbul to Ottawa flights leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a convenient hotel close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul to Ottawa, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
With public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 30 minutes. The terminal is roughly 31 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 55 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not book another night away? Consider checking in to one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Ottawa:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 77%.
Arriving in Ottawa
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND)
Ottawa Gatineau Airport (YND) is approximately 14 kilometres from the centre of Ottawa. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 20 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport typically takes 1 hour 40 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to YND if you have a late flight from Istanbul to Ottawa. Choose one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab an Ottawa Gatineau Airport rental car and explore corners of Ottawa that aren't on a typical itinerary. Find your ideal set of wheels with Hertz.
To lock in the lowest rate, book your vehicle from Ottawa Gatineau Airport at least a couple of weeks in advance. Prices generally rise closer to the day of travel.
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
The centre of Ottawa is approximately 11 kilometres from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). Once your flight from Istanbul to Ottawa has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 20 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in approximately 45 minutes.
Routes Car Rentals, Alamo and Budget make collecting an Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport rental car quick and easy. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Snap up a deal by securing your ride from YOW two weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
The address for Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is 50 Airport Road.
Best time to go to Ottawa
Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from Istanbul to Istanbul. The city comes alive in high season, but prices are generally higher and top attractions can get crowded. Go to Istanbul in the off-season if you like a quieter vibe.
Book an Istanbul to Ottawa ticket departing in July if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Ottawa to range from 13ºC to 27ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between -19ºC and -2ºC. Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Ottawa around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Ottawa
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Ottawa right here. Explore these hotels after locking in your flight from Istanbul to Ottawa:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada are major attractions which should be on every Ottawa itinerary.
Explore more of Canada
Ottawa is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Canada just waiting to be discovered. About 354 kilometres south-west of Ottawa, a trip to Toronto will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum and Go Tours Canada - Distillery District.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in Canada, consider Montreal, about 153 kilometres east of Ottawa. Mount Royal Park, Montreal Botanical Garden and Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal are among its highlights.