Flying from RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Istanbul is 1 hour ahead of Harare, where RG Mugabe International Airport is located. Istanbul operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
For a smooth journey, turn up 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 HRE to Istanbul.
During popular months such as June, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
We make it a breeze to book a flight from HRE to Istanbul with a stopover. To see your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight with a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
If you hold a passport from Zimbabwe, you will need an embassy visa to visit Türkiye (Turkey). This applies when booking a cheap ticket from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul for tourism purposes. Requirements may change if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check the visa rules ahead of booking and definitely before flying.
To reach HRE from central Harare, it takes around 21 minutes by car. Of course, this depends on traffic. It's approximately 13 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Want a handy hotel close to HRE? If you're boarding an early flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
How to find the cheapest flights from RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) to Istanbul
357 € is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul. A return flight starts from 730 €. These prices can change based on demand and availability.
To score cheap tickets from HRE to Istanbul, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer lower prices when flights are first made available.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, check out the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price in every month when searching for a ticket from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from HRE to Istanbul. You don't need to check every day to see if fares have dropped. We'll tell you when there's a change in price.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul. Simply select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul is around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 57 minutes.
The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from HRE to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month to board a flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to go to Istanbul, consider the pace you like to travel at.
Before locking in your flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for cheap flights from HRE to Istanbul sometime around then if you like cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are a couple of leading attractions to put on your Istanbul to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Pick one of our car rentals in Istanbul and explore the city at your leisure. Easily compare options in one place to find the perfect ride once you've booked your hotel and cheap flights from RG Mugabe International Airport to Istanbul.