Flying from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA): What you need to know
Istanbul is home to two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) taking off from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
3 hours 15 minutes is the average journey time for a direct Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport flight.
The timezone in Tehran is UTC+3:30, which is 30 minutes ahead of Istanbul. Imam Khomeini International Airport is located in Tehran.
The most popular route is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), with 91 direct services every week. If you'd rather get moving right away, the earliest flight from IST to IKA is the 12:55am Turkish Airlines option. If a later flight fits your day better, the final departure is at 11:15pm with Iran Air.
Leave enough time to get on your flight from Istanbul to IKA. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Planning to travel during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) take off from this terminal.
These are some of the most popular airlines offering direct flights from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport leaving from IST:
The preferred choice for passengers flying between IST and IKA is Turkish Airlines.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break and perhaps even explore a different city. When searching for cheap flights from Istanbul to IKA leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to get ideas for where to visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Muscat International Airport (MCT)
IST is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Consider flying out of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). You can book a direct Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) flight ticket with departures from here.
AJet has direct flights from Istanbul to IKA out of SAW. Book your favourite window (or aisle) seat and reach your destination in one go.
AJet ranks number one in bookings on the SAW to IKA route.
Flights between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Imam Khomeini International Airport are more likely to reach their destination on time with Pegasus than with any other carrier.
Add a little extra to your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport. Here's where you can connect between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and IKA:
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
You can get to SAW from central Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to travel the 48 kilometres or so.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your Istanbul to IKA flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 76.93%.
About Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Consider staying minutes from the runway after your flight from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport. Remis Hotel is one option near IKA. Or check in and relax at Rexan Hotel before heading to your final destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport is $84. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $193. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares may change.
Get cheap flights from Istanbul to IKA by booking 11 months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding the biggest deals.
Plan your trip for April. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport tickets. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available on flight tickets from Istanbul to IKA.
Filters make it easier to dig up a deal for your flight from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport. Pick the flight times, carriers and stops that look good to you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the most affordable option fast.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
It's time to figure out when to book your flight from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA). July is the busiest month to travel to Tehran. If crowds aren't your thing, head there in April.
Book an Istanbul to IKA flight ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Tehran to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 38ºC (100ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Tehran
After booking your flight from Istanbul to Imam Khomeini International Airport, find a hotel that offers a good mix of location and comfort. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Tehran:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Golestan Palace, National Museum of Iran and Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art are must-do's during your Tehran adventure.
Explore more of Iran
Tehran is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Iran you'll want to see. About 88 kilometres south of Tehran, a trip to Qom will keep you on the go. Don't miss top attractions like Qom Hazrat-e Masumeh, A'zam Mosque and Qoli Darvish Historical Site.
If you're ready to explore another major destination in Iran, head for Rasht, roughly 257 kilometres north-west of Tehran. Japanese garden, Gilan Cultural House and Gilan rural heritage museum are key reasons to visit.