Travelling from Istanbul to Bucharest: what you need to know
Begin planning your holiday by considering where you'll catch your flight from Istanbul to Bucharest. Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's main airports.
Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) and Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU) are Bucharest's chief entry points.
The average duration of a direct Istanbul to Bucharest flight is 1 hour 25 minutes.
The timezone in Bucharest is UTC+2, which is one hour behind Istanbul.
You can pick from 44 services a week between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP). This is the most popular route when booking flights from Istanbul to Bucharest.
For a relaxed travel experience, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably board your Istanbul to Bucharest flight.
During popular months like August, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Bucharest
£43 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Bucharest. A return flight starts at £87. These fares may change based on availability and demand.
Get cheap Istanbul to Bucharest flights by booking six months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Plan your trip for November. That's the best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Bucharest. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across each month.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Istanbul to Bucharest.
Find a cheap Istanbul to Bucharest flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Take off from Istanbul Airport (IST) on a nonstop flight from Istanbul to Bucharest. From IST, you can land directly at Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP).
You'll have your pick of airlines that offer direct Istanbul to Bucharest plane tickets out of IST. Book your seat with one of these:
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Istanbul to Bucharest flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Istanbul Airport. Take a pause at one of these popular options:
Athens International Airport (ATH)
Budapest Airport (BUD)
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
Located around 32 kms (20 miles) from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
After a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near Istanbul Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul to Bucharest or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Prefer to jet off from Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)? This hub offers direct flights from Istanbul to Bucharest, seamlessly connecting you to Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP).
Pegasus offers direct Istanbul to Bucharest plane tickets from SAW. Book your preferred aisle seat and get to your destination in a single stretch.
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Istanbul to Bucharest flight, browse these options when heading out from Istanbul Sabiha Airport:
Antalya Airport (AYT)
Tirana Airport (TIA)
Sofia Airport (SOF)
SAW is about 31 kms (19 miles) from central Istanbul. It'll take 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from Istanbul to Bucharest? Check in to a hotel near Istanbul Sabiha Airport before your trip officially starts. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
When it comes to keeping flights punctual, Istanbul Sabiha Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 68%.
Arriving in Bucharest
Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP)
The distance from Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) to central Bucharest is approximately 16 kms (10 miles). It'll take you about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting there on public transport takes about 35 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul to Bucharest. Book one of these accommodation options near OTP instead:
Hit the road running by picking up a Bucharest Otopeni Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Klass Wagen, Pricecarz or Surprice and explore beyond Bucharest's usual tourist stops.
For the best deal, book your ride from Bucharest Otopeni Airport about one week in advance of your Istanbul to Bucharest flight.
Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU)
Bucharest Baneasa Airport (BBU) is about 8 kms (5 miles) from central Bucharest. Once you've hopped off your flight from Istanbul to Bucharest, it takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 35 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near BBU. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Istanbul to Bucharest:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting in a long taxi line. Pick up a Bucharest Baneasa Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare availability and rates from Wheego, Abbycar and ecovia.
Snap up a deal by reserving your ride from BBU two weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Bucharest
It's time to work out your dates for your flight from Istanbul to Bucharest. July is the busiest month to travel to Bucharest. If you like a quieter vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Bucharest is August, with temperatures ranging between 17ºC and 34ºC. Lock in your Istanbul to Bucharest ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Bucharest in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -9ºC and 8ºC on average.
More about Bucharest
Start your Bucharest trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Istanbul to Bucharest, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Caru' cu Bere, Museum of the Palace of the Parliament and National Bank of Romania Museum are leading attractions which should be on every Bucharest itinerary.
Explore more of Romania
Bucharest will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Romania waiting to be discovered. Around 322 kms (200 miles) north of Bucharest, a visit to Iasi will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like Galata Monastery, The Catholic Cathedral Saint Mary and Monastery of the Three Holy Hierarchs.
Cluj-Napoca is another sought-after destination in Romania and is around 322 kms (200 miles) northwest of Bucharest. No trip is complete without experiencing Saint Michael’s Church, Museum Square and Romanian Orthodox Church of Transfiguration.
