Travelling from Rome to Istanbul: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Rome. Check out your options leaving from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA) when searching for a flight from Rome to Istanbul.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's major gateways.
Around 2 hours 40 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Rome to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, making Istanbul two hours ahead of Rome.
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 28 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from Rome to Istanbul is with Turkish Airlines at 20:00. Go for the first FCO to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 06:55 to make the most of your arrival in Istanbul.
To ensure you make your Rome to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Flying during a popular month such as August? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Rome to Istanbul
To score cheap Rome to Istanbul flights, book your journey three months before your departure date.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Rome to Istanbul is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Locking in a cheap flight from Rome to Istanbul is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Rome to Istanbul flights.
Flying from Rome
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Begin your journey at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO), which offers multiple direct flights from Rome to Istanbul. From FCO, you can fly without any stops to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Well-known airlines that offer direct Rome to Istanbul plane tickets departing from FCO include:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Rome to Istanbul flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY)
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
Located around 23 kms (14 miles) from central Rome, FCO can be reached in about 40 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 50 minutes.
Searching for a handy hotel close to Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Rome to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure lounge:
70.57% of flights taking off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport (CIA)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Rome to Istanbul flight, check out these options when leaving from Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport:
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
You can get to CIA from central Rome in about 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to cover the 13 kms (8 miles) or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from Rome to Istanbul? Kick back in a hotel near Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport before your adventure officially starts. Here's where you can stay:
73% of flights out of Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is approximately 32 kms (20 miles) from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 50 minutes.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you around 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Rome to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car to explore Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
As soon as your flight from Rome to Istanbul has landed, you can get to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 31 kms (19 miles) from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Rome to Istanbul:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and set off in the blink of an eye.
Don't pay more than you need to. Booking your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW can help you lock in a better rate.
Best time to go to Istanbul
April is the most popular month for flights from Rome to Istanbul. To travel when it's less crowded, visit Istanbul in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Rome to Istanbul ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Search for cheap flights from Rome to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Rome to Istanbul, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the leading attractions to add to your Istanbul must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've seen Istanbul. Around 220 miles to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another standout destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 200 miles south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.
