Flying from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB): what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 10 minutes.
Istanbul and Ankara follow the same timezone, UTC+3.
Flights from IST to ESB start from 01:00 — the first with Turkish Airlines. The last departure is at 23:55 with Turkish Airlines. In total, there are 112 weekly Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport flights.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your IST to ESB flight.
Travelling during a peak month such as August? Public holidays and other high seasons can result in longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to tick off the sights in Ankara — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if time allows.
Turkish Airlines is the airline most travellers choose for this route.
If you'd like to split up your journey, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport. Here are the most popular stopovers between IST and ESB:
Antalya Airport
Izmir Airport
Ercan Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB)
$44 is the best price for a one-way Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport flight. A return flight starts from $88. These fares may change depending on availability.
To pick up cheap tickets from IST to ESB, book your trip 11 months before your planned departure.
The cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have a flexible schedule.
Save time searching for cheap flights from IST to ESB by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Secure the right flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.
Handy information about Istanbul Airport (IST)
To get to Istanbul Airport from central Istanbul, it'll take around 45 minutes if you're planning to drive. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 40 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
The trip when using public transport will take about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Get your break off to a relaxed start by staying near IST. Whether you've booked an early flight from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Arriving at Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB)
If you have a late Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport flight, nothing beats the convenience of being near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be resting soon after at one of these hotels near ESB:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Ankara Esenboga Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Essence, Final Homes or Ziraat Filo to explore Ankara and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Ankara Esenboga Airport about three weeks ahead gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.
When to fly to Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB)
The quietest month for a flight from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport is March, while July is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit Ankara based on whether you prefer a more fast-paced or easygoing experience.
Lock in your flight from Istanbul Airport to Ankara Esenboga Airport for August if you want to visit Ankara during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures of between 14ºC (57ºF) and 35ºC (95ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from IST to ESB in January. Temperatures average between -6ºC (21ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF) then.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen Ankara. Around 354 kilometres away to the west, check out popular attractions including Hagia Sophia Museum, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History Museum.
Around 322 kilometres west of Ankara, Bursa is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Old Bursa Historic Houses, Archeological Museum and Bursa Grand Bazaar.