Flying from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): What you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll board your flight from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW) and Warsaw-Modlin Airport (WMI) are the two main airports in Warsaw.
Expect to be travelling for 2 hours 45 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight.
Istanbul is two hours ahead of Warsaw. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul, which runs on the UTC+3 timezone.
Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. There are 33 direct weekly flights to pick from. If you have plans before you fly, hop on the last flight with LOT - Polish Airlines at 8:05pm. Go for the first WAW to IST departure with LOT - Polish Airlines at 9:10am if you'd rather get a move on.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Warsaw to IST.
Longer lines at security and check-in are more likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow a little extra breathing room. The recommendation for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Warsaw
Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW)
Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW) provides a hassle-free way to reach your destination. Nonstop flights from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) can be booked from this terminal.
When jetting out of WAW, you can catch a direct flight from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with LOT - Polish Airlines.
The airline with the highest booking numbers between WAW and IST is LOT - Polish Airlines.
WAW is around 8 kilometres from central Warsaw. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near Frederic Chopin Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or aren't a fan of being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Frederic Chopin Airport, 77.68% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Warsaw-Modlin Airport (WMI)
You can arrive at WMI from the centre of Warsaw in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride by public transport takes roughly 1 hour to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Got a crack-of-dawn departure? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Warsaw-Modlin Airport the day before your Warsaw to IST flight:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Book a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Choose one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Go where the road takes you with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and chase adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport to the centre of Istanbul is about 32 kilometres. If you're renting a car or getting a cab, plan in advance to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times can vary depending on traffic conditions and the time of day.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Right now, $93 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $254. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To score cheap flights from Warsaw to IST, book your flight ticket one month ahead of your planned departure.
The best month for scoring cheap Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates offering the lowest fares.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when a better deal comes up on flight tickets from Warsaw to IST.
Filters make it easier to find a bargain for your flight from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Pick the departure times, airlines and number of stops that work for you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
February is the quietest month for flights from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), while August is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a Warsaw to IST flight ticket departing in August if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Warsaw to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to know where to start. Hagia Sophia History Museum, Hagia Sophia Museum and Historic Areas of Istanbul are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Eskisehir is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 225 kilometres away to the south-east, popular attractions include Eskişehir, Eskişehir and Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri.
Around 153 kilometres east of Istanbul, Adapazarı is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Ozanlar Ulu Cami, Güllük Cami and Valide Cami.