Flying from Istanbul to Aktau Airport (SCO): What you need to know
Istanbul is home to two main airports that set the stage for your next getaway. Check out your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Aktau Airport (SCO) leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Around 3 hours 5 minutes is the usual time it takes for a direct Istanbul to Aktau Airport flight.
Aktau Airport is located in Aktau. The city follows the UTC+5 timezone and is two hours ahead of Istanbul.
The most popular route is from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Aktau Airport (SCO). You can choose from 3 direct services each week. Turkish Airlines operates a 1:20am departure between IST and SCO.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your flight from Istanbul to SCO.
During popular months such as August, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during high season in general.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
You can book a direct flight from Istanbul to Aktau Airport (SCO) leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST).
When jetting out of IST, you can take a direct flight from Istanbul to Aktau Airport with Turkish Airlines.
The airline with the highest booking numbers between IST and SCO is Turkish Airlines.
We make it easy to find cheap flights from Istanbul to SCO with a stopover. To explore all your options leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Major stopovers between IST and SCO include:
Antalya Airport (AYT)
Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
Atyrau Airport (GUW)
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul to Aktau Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by staying at one of these hotels near Istanbul Airport:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Consider beginning your travels from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). You can book a direct Istanbul to Aktau Airport (SCO) plane ticket with departures from here.
From SAW, direct flights from Istanbul to SCO can be booked with Pegasus.
Pegasus Airlines attracts the most bookings on the SAW to SCO route.
Flights between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Aktau Airport see fewer delays with Pegasus Airlines than with any other carrier.
You can arrive at SAW from central Istanbul in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to travel the 48 kilometres or so.
Catching an early morning flight? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your Istanbul to SCO flight:
68% of all departures from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport make it to their destination as expected.
About Aktau Airport (SCO)
Consider checking in to Teniz Village, Glamping & Camping in Aktau after touching down from your flight from Istanbul to Aktau Airport. It's a quick drive from SCO and a comfortable option if you want to relax as soon as possible.
Getting from Aktau Airport (SCO) to central Aktau
Aktau Airport is around 18 kilometres from central Aktau. It takes around 20 minutes or so to drive to the city.
It'll take around 35 minutes to get there using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Aktau Airport (SCO)
$115 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Aktau Airport. Return flights start from $235. These prices may change depending on demand.
Get your hands on cheap flights from Istanbul to SCO by booking four months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for landing a bargain.
September is when you're most likely to find a bargain on a Istanbul to Aktau Airport ticket. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Save time searching for cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to SCO by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Hunt down a great price on a flight from Istanbul to Aktau Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Aktau Airport (SCO)
November is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Aktau Airport (SCO), while January is the most popular. Pick the best time to visit Aktau based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Aktau is July, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Lock in your Istanbul to SCO plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
February sees temperatures of between -6ºC (21ºF) and 8ºC (46ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Aktau Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Aktau
After booking your flight from Istanbul to Aktau Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Aktau:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Skal'naya Tropa, Rozovyye Skaly and Toplyy Plyazh are attractions you won't want to skip in Aktau.
Explore more of Kazakhstan
Aktau is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Kazakhstan has to offer. Continue your journey in Fort-Shevchenko, which is about 97 kilometres away to the northwest. From Tarasa Shevcheko museum to Muzey Istorii Rybolovstva I Etnografii Mangyshlaka, there's no shortage of things to do in this exciting city.
