Travelling from Vancouver to Istanbul: what you need to know
When searching for a flight from Vancouver to Istanbul, there's a good selection of airports you can start your trip from. Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base Airport (CXH) and Abbotsford Airport (YXX) are some of Vancouver's main options.
When it comes to working out where to land in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the primary gateways.
Around 12 hours is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Vancouver to Istanbul flight.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is ten hours ahead of Vancouver.
With three flights a week between the two airports, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Vancouver to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines at 18:25. If you prefer to get more out of your day before leaving, the latest flight from YVR to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 20:10.
To ensure you catch your Vancouver to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
You can expect longer queues during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Vancouver to Istanbul
Score cheap Vancouver to Istanbul flights by booking one month ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time for finding a bargain.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Vancouver to Istanbul is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Vancouver to Istanbul.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Vancouver to Istanbul flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Vancouver
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Jet off from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on a nonstop flight from Vancouver to Istanbul. From YVR, you can land directly at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Lock in your Vancouver to Istanbul plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This carrier is a popular choice for direct flights from YVR.
YVR is about 11 kilometres from central Vancouver. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.
Have an early flight from Vancouver to Istanbul? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to Vancouver International Airport:
Of all flights leaving Vancouver International Airport, 71.77% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Abbotsford Airport (YXX)
The journey time to YXX from the centre of Vancouver is around 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport. If you prefer to travel by car, it'll take you roughly 1 hour to cover the 64 kilometres or so.
Make catching an early Vancouver to Istanbul flight the easiest part of your journey. Stay at one of these accommodation options near Abbotsford Airport and get to your check-in counter without rushing:
Flights that leave from YXX make it to their destination within the expected time frame 67.97% of the time.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Vancouver to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's main sights.
Booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is about 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Vancouver to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 55 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
After your flight from Vancouver to Istanbul, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Forget about public transport timetables or slow-moving cab lines. Pick up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW can land you a better rate.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the busiest month for flights from Vancouver to Istanbul. To skip the crowds, visit Istanbul in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Vancouver to Istanbul ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Vancouver to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Vancouver to Istanbul, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, top sights here include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.