Travelling from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro. Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's main airports.
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) is where you'll be arriving in Rio de Janeiro.
The timezone in Rio de Janeiro is UTC-3, which is six hours behind Istanbul.
To ensure you catch your Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro flights if you book early. Airlines often offer some great early bird discounts.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across the month when searching for your plane ticket from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro.
Locking in a cheap flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro flights departing from Istanbul Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to Istanbul Airport:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro flight, here's where you can stop when taking off from Istanbul Sabiha Airport:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
You can reach SAW from the centre of Istanbul in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to cover the 31 kilometres or so.
It's your holiday, so why not extend it with another night away? Consider staying at one of these hotels near Istanbul Sabiha Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro:
68% of flights taking off from Istanbul Sabiha Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG)
Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport (GIG) to central Rio de Janeiro takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there when travelling by public transport.
Reserve a hotel near GIG if you have a late flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Hit the road running by picking up a Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Foco, Localiza or Movida and explore beyond Rio de Janeiro's main sights.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your ride from Rio de Janeiro Internacional Airport about four weeks before your departure date.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
As soon as your flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro has hit the runway, you can reach the city centre in about 10 minutes by car. Central Rio de Janeiro is roughly 2 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU).
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 20 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to lay your head close to SDU. Tuck yourself in after your Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Forget about public transport timetables or slow-moving taxi lines. Pick up a Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare offers from Foco, Localiza and Movida.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from SDU three weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Rio de Janeiro
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro. December is the busiest month to travel to Rio de Janeiro. If you prefer a more peaceful vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Rio de Janeiro is February, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 36ºC (97ºF). Book your Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro in July when temperatures average between 14ºC (57ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).
More about Rio de Janeiro
Start your Rio de Janeiro trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Istanbul to Rio de Janeiro, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro Carnival and Ipanema Beach are must-do's during your Rio de Janeiro adventure.
Explore more of Brazil
Sao Paulo is just one of the many places in Brazil waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Rio de Janeiro. Around 354 kilometres to the west, popular attractions include Ibirapuera Park, Av. Paulista and Pinacoteca Do Estado De Sao Paulo.
Around 338 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte is another essential stop in Brazil. No visit is complete without checking out Pampulha Modern Ensemble, Casa do Baile and Igreja São Francisco de Assis.