Flying from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is 1 hour ahead of Durban, where King Shaka International Airport is located.
Give yourself enough time to make your flight from DUR to Istanbul. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak time such as June? Public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines at security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
We make it simple to plan a flight from DUR to Istanbul that includes a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
If you have a passport from South Africa, you'll need an e-visa to visit Türkiye (Turkey). This applies when booking a cheap ticket from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul for tourism purposes. Requirements may change if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines before you book and definitely before flying.
DUR is about 40 kilometres from central Durban. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to DUR:
How to find the cheapest flights from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to Istanbul
$553 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $956. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares could change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from DUR to Istanbul if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird deals.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, check out the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price in each month when searching for your ticket from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you time looking for flight tickets from DUR to Istanbul every day.
Play around with the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
It'll take around 1 hour and 45 minutes if you're using public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in about 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from DUR to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month for flights from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul. To escape the crowds, head for Istanbul in February when it's quieter.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap flights from DUR to Istanbul in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul, explore our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are highlights which should be on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and have more freedom to explore. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
