Travelling from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
A direct flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport takes an average of 11 hours 10 minutes. The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which makes it 1 hour ahead of Cape Town.
Flights from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport start from 01:40 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The last departure is the 17:15 option with Turkish Airlines. Overall, there are 10 weekly services between CPT and IST.
During popular months such as June, it's best to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during a high season in general.
Turkish Airlines runs direct flights from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to tick off the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if time allows.
We make it a piece of cake to get a flight with a stopover. To look at your options for flights from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers between CPT and IST include:
Hamad International Airport
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
Dubai Airport
Remember, you may need a visa to enter Türkiye (Turkey). Visa requirements vary and travel documentation requirements are constantly changing. Before locking in your cheap ticket from CPT to IST, check with your carrier and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the latest information.
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Handy information about Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Central Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport is around 19 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 21 minutes to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
Have an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near CPT:
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by finding an amazing stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from CPT to IST, explore our accommodation options including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just the start of the top-rated attractions to put on your Istanbul to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is another international airport for getting to and from Istanbul. It could be a cheaper or easier option depending on your plans, so it's worth looking into.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is approximately 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is about 50 minutes.
It'll take around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
Complete your Istanbul trip with hotels and a car rental
You've locked in your cheap ticket to Istanbul Ataturk Airport — now it's time to find somewhere to stay, and perhaps even your own set of wheels. We've compared prices across hundreds of companies to bring you the top hotels and car rental deals in Istanbul.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is $481. The cheapest price for a return flight is $672. Remember that fares could change due to demand when booking.
To get your hands on cheap tickets from CPT to IST, reserve your trip 9 months ahead of the departure date.
Organise your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest airfare across every month.
Getting a cheap ticket from CPT to IST is straightforward with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Simply select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The quietest month for a flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is February, 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.
When reserving your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, think about the type of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CPT to IST in January. Temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC then.
