Skyscanner home

Cheap Flights from Ankara (ESB) to Istanbul (ISTA)

Compare Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

Book the best Istanbul fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $113. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Istanbul.$52 per passenger.Departing Mon, 8 Jun, returning Mon, 8 Jun.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Mon, 8 Jun, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Mon, 8 Jun, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $52, select.
Istanbul.$86 per passenger.Departing Thu, 7 Jan, returning Sun, 10 Jan.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Thu, 7 Jan, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sun, 10 Jan, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $86, select.
Istanbul.$86 per passenger.Departing Tue, 3 Nov, returning Wed, 4 Nov.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Tue, 3 Nov, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Wed, 4 Nov, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $86, select.
Istanbul.$86 per passenger.Departing Wed, 16 Dec, returning Sun, 20 Dec.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Wed, 16 Dec, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sun, 20 Dec, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $86, select.
Istanbul.$93 per passenger.Departing Tue, 15 Dec, returning Sat, 2 Jan.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Tue, 15 Dec, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sat, 2 Jan, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $93, select.
Istanbul.$94 per passenger.Departing Sun, 29 Nov, returning Wed, 2 Dec.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Sun, 29 Nov, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Wed, 2 Dec, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $94, select.
Istanbul.$95 per passenger.Departing Fri, 5 Jun, returning Sun, 5 Jul.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Fri, 5 Jun, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sun, 5 Jul, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $95, select.
Istanbul.$100 per passenger.Departing Wed, 17 Mar, returning Wed, 24 Mar.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Wed, 17 Mar, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Wed, 24 Mar, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $100, select.
Istanbul.$110 per passenger.Departing Mon, 26 Oct, returning Sun, 1 Nov.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Mon, 26 Oct, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sun, 1 Nov, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $110, select.
Istanbul.$113 per passenger.Departing Fri, 17 Jul, returning Fri, 24 Jul.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Fri, 17 Jul, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Fri, 24 Jul, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $113, select.
Istanbul.$119 per passenger.Departing Wed, 17 Jun, returning Wed, 19 Aug.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Wed, 17 Jun, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Wed, 19 Aug, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $119, select.
Istanbul.$123 per passenger.Departing Wed, 12 Aug, returning Sun, 16 Aug.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Wed, 12 Aug, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sun, 16 Aug, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $123, select.
Istanbul.$124 per passenger.Departing Sun, 12 Jul, returning Sun, 2 Aug.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Sun, 12 Jul, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sun, 2 Aug, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $124, select.
Istanbul.$127 per passenger.Departing Sat, 3 Oct, returning Thu, 8 Oct.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Sat, 3 Oct, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Thu, 8 Oct, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $127, select.
Istanbul.$131 per passenger.Departing Fri, 18 Sep, returning Sat, 26 Sep.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Fri, 18 Sep, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Sat, 26 Sep, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $131, select.
Istanbul.$135 per passenger.Departing Fri, 4 Sep, returning Fri, 2 Oct.Return flight with AJet.Outbound direct flight with AJet departs from Ankara Esenboga on Fri, 4 Sep, arriving in Istanbul Sabiha.Inbound direct flight with AJet departs from Istanbul Sabiha on Fri, 2 Oct, arriving in Ankara Esenboga.Price includes taxes and charges.From $135, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in June.
Jun
from $52
Jul
from $113
Aug
from $123
Sep
from $131
Oct
from $127
Nov
from $86
Dec
from $86
Jan
from $86
Feb
Find prices
Mar
from $100
Apr
from $272
May
from $272

Direct flights from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul

Alternative Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Istanbul Sabiha

30km from central Istanbul
ClosestCheapest
from $52
Search flights

Istanbul

34km from central Istanbul
from $124
Search flights

Ankara to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$52
Cheapest month to flyJune
Average flight time1 hr, 14 mins
Most popular airlineTurkish Airlines
Average flights per week868

Finding cheap flights from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.
The best price we found for a return flight from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul is $52. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
1 hour and 14 minutes is the average flight time from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia and Pegasus Airlines fly direct from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul.
As of June 2026, there are 868 flights per week flying from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Ankara Esenboga to Istanbul is usually June.
If you're flying from Ankara Esenboga Airport, the cheapest airport near Istanbul is Istanbul Sabiha – which is 30.3 km away from the centre of Istanbul. We've found flights into this airport from $52.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul on Monday, 8 June 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 14 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In June, the average temperature is usually around 21°C. August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is December.
Currently, AJet offers the cheapest flight tickets to Istanbul.

Flying from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Istanbul: what you need to know

  • Expect to be travelling for 1 hour 10 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul.

  • Istanbul and Ankara (where Ankara Esenboga Airport is located) are in the UTC+3 timezone. That means there's no time difference to adjust for.

  • With 113 flights a week between the two airports, Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 00:55. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the last flight from ESB to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 23:55.

  • For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to catch your ESB to Istanbul flight.

  • Be prepared for longer lines during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.

  • You can book a direct Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul ticket. Begin your trip at ESB and arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST).

  • You can choose from a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul, such as:

  • Located around 23 kilometres from central Ankara, ESB can be reached in about 35 minutes by car (depending on traffic). Travelling on public transport will take roughly 50 minutes.

  • Have an early flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to ESB:

  • 78% of flights that leave from Ankara Esenboga Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.

How to find the cheapest flights from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Istanbul

  • The best price we've found for a one-way Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul flight is $30. The cheapest price for a return flight is $52. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.

  • Book 11 months before travelling. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from ESB to Istanbul.

  • April is the best month for landing an amazing deal on Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.

  • You don't need to check in daily to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as there's an updated deal for cheap flights from ESB to Istanbul.

  • Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul.

Airports in Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST)

  • The distance from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 40 kilometres. It'll take you around 45 minutes to reach the centre driving.

  • If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 10 minutes.

  • Look into staying at a hotel close to IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul. Check in to one of these accommodation options and make your first night all about rest:

  • To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle from Istanbul Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from ESB to Istanbul.

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. After your flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.

  • If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 40 minutes.

  • Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your ESB to Istanbul flight:

  • Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means more savings and a wider range of vehicles.

Best time to go to Istanbul

  • February is the quietest month for flights from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul, while August is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to visit Istanbul based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.

  • Lock in a Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul plane ticket with a departure in July to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).

  • For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from ESB to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).

More about Istanbul

  • Once you've booked your flight from Ankara Esenboga Airport to Istanbul, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:

  • All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia Museum and Hagia Sophia History Museum are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

  • You've done Istanbul, now it's time to discover more of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its top attractions. From The Roman Theatre to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.

  • If you're interested in discovering another corner of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are key highlights.

More travel options

Plan the rest of your trip from Ankara to Istanbul

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.