Flying from Istanbul to Osaka: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Istanbul to Osaka. Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are the main airports in Istanbul.
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX) and Kobe Airport (UKB) are Osaka's major entry points.
The average time for a direct Istanbul to Osaka flight is 10 hours 45 minutes.
Osaka's timezone is UTC+9, making Osaka six hours ahead of Istanbul.
With seven flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Airport (IST) to Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Istanbul to Osaka with Turkish Airlines at 02:10. If you prefer to get more out of your day before flying, the last departure from IST to KIX is with Turkish Airlines at 02:15.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your Istanbul to Osaka flight.
Travelling during a peak time such as August? School holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Osaka
Book 11 months before travelling. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Istanbul to Osaka flights.
The best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Osaka is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Istanbul to Osaka by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your Istanbul to Osaka flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Istanbul to Osaka, you can leave from Istanbul Airport (IST). Get from IST to Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX) in one seamless trip.
Be on the lookout for deals with Turkish Airlines. This airline offers direct Istanbul to Osaka plane tickets from IST.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even tour another city. When browsing Istanbul to Osaka flights departing from Istanbul Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near Istanbul Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Istanbul to Osaka or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Istanbul to Osaka flight, browse these options when taking off from Istanbul Sabiha Airport:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Munich Airport (MUC)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
You can reach SAW from central Istanbul in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to cover the 31 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Istanbul to Osaka? Check in to a hotel near Istanbul Sabiha Airport before your adventure officially begins. Consider one of these stays:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Istanbul Sabiha Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 68%.
Arriving in Osaka
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)
Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX) is approximately 40 kilometres from the centre of Osaka. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 50 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Osaka. Stay at one of these accommodation options near KIX instead:
Hit the road running by picking up a Kansai International (Osaka) Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from BEST KANSAI CAR RENTAL, BE KOBE or TravelCar and experience the lesser-explored corners of Osaka and beyond.
To get the best possible deal, reserve your vehicle from Kansai International (Osaka) Airport a few weeks in advance. Rates generally rise closer to your day of departure.
You'll find KIX at 1 Senshukukokita, Izumisano.
Itami Domestic (Osaka) Airport (ITM)
After your flight from Istanbul to Osaka has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 30 minutes by car. Central Osaka is approximately 11 kilometres from Itami Domestic (Osaka) Airport (ITM).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 35 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to lay your head close to ITM. Unwind after your Istanbul to Osaka flight at one of these perfectly located options:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Itami Domestic (Osaka) Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Europcar, Times or Rakuten and make a speedy getaway.
Lock in the vehicle you want, not just whatever's left, by booking your ride from ITM ahead of your arrival. You'll also avoid paying more than you need to, especially when demand is high.
You can find Itami Domestic (Osaka) Airport at 3丁目555 Nishimachi, Hotarugaike, Toyonaka.
Kobe Airport (UKB)
Kobe Airport (UKB) is around 26 kilometres from central Osaka. It'll take you about 40 minutes to get to the city centre by car once you've stepped off your flight from Istanbul to Osaka.
If you use public transport, the journey takes about 50 minutes.
Stay in control of the next leg of your journey with a Kobe Airport rental car. Europcar, Times and Rakuten are dependable companies for booking.
If you prefer a particular make or model, booking early gives you a better shot at getting exactly what you want. Book your ride from UKB a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Istanbul to Osaka.
Kobe Airport can be found at 1 Kobekuko, Chuo Ward.
Best time to go to Osaka
March is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Osaka, while November is the most popular. Work out the best time to visit Osaka based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Osaka is August, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Book your Istanbul to Osaka ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Osaka in January when temperatures average between 0ºC (32ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Osaka
After booking your flight from Istanbul to Osaka, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Osaka:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Dotonbori, Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned Osaka itinerary.
Explore more of Japan
Osaka has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of Japan you should also see. About 402 kilometres east of Osaka, a visit to Tokyo will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like TOKYO SKYTREE, Sensho-ji and Ginza Central Street.
If there's time to check out another side of Japan, consider Nagoya, roughly 137 kilometres northeast of Osaka. Nagoya Castle, Sky Promenade and Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium are the start of reasons to visit.
