Flying from Kigali International Airport (KGL) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Kigali International Airport to Istanbul is 7 hours 10 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is one hour ahead of Kigali, where Kigali International Airport is located.
To avoid missing your KGL to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You can expect longer lines in popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
We make it easy to book plane tickets from KGL to Istanbul with a stopover. To see all your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 8 kilometres from the centre of Kigali, KGL can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Kigali International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to KGL:
Of the flights that depart from Kigali International Airport, 68% arrive on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Kigali International Airport (KGL) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Kigali International Airport to Istanbul flight is $560. The cheapest price for a return flight is $990. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from KGL to Istanbul if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird discounts.
Landing cheap tickets from Kigali International Airport to Istanbul is more likely if you're flexible with your travel dates. Use the 'Whole month' tool to get the lowest prices across each month and land an incredible deal.
You don't need to keep looking every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's an extra saving on cheap flights from KGL to Istanbul.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Kigali International Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is around 40 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're opting for a ride-share or a taxi, the drive takes roughly 45 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from Kigali International Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these accommodation options and make arrival day easier:
To secure the lowest price, book your ride from Istanbul Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from KGL to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Kigali International Airport to Istanbul has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Travelling by public transport will take about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your KGL to Istanbul flight:
Avoid last-minute price surges. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will save you money.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Kigali International Airport to Istanbul. August is the busiest month to travel to Istanbul. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in February.
Before booking a Kigali International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from KGL to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Kigali International Airport to Istanbul, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia Museum and Hagia Sophia History Museum are major attractions which should feature on every Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep you on the move. Start with attractions like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Izmir is another sought-after destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.