Travelling from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the main airports in Istanbul.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) are Kuala Lumpur's major gateways.
A direct flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur takes on average 10 hours 21 minutes. The timezone in Kuala Lumpur is UTC+8, which makes it 5 hours ahead of Istanbul.
With 20 weekly flights between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is the most popular route. Hop on the first flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur with Turkish Airlines at 01:20. If you prefer to get more out of your day before you fly, the latest flight from IST to KUL is with Turkish Airlines at 17:15.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur.
Flying over a peak time such as August? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays at security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
If you have a passport from Türkiye (Turkey) and are travelling to Malaysia for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, visa and entry requirements may differ based on the length and purpose of your stay and are subject to change. For the latest rules, check with your destination's nearest consulate or embassy before reserving a cheap flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're after a direct flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur, you can catch one from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Travel from IST to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) in one seamless journey.
You can travel on a direct flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur with Turkish Airlines. This well-known airline operates services from IST.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save money on your flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your trip? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to refresh yourself with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur, check out these options when leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
SAW is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take 57 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before your flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur? Check in to a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your holiday officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) is around 64 kilometres from the centre of Kuala Lumpur. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is about 1 hour and 3 minutes.
Getting there on public transport takes roughly 4 hours and 29 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near KUL if you're catching a late flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB)
The centre of Kuala Lumpur is about 24 kilometres from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). After your flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 27 minutes.
You can also travel by public transport, which typically takes 1 hour and 32 minutes.
There are some comfortable stays to call home for the night near SZB. Tuck yourself in after your flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur at any of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur
189 € is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. A return flight starts from 405 €. These fares may change depending on demand and availability.
Book 7 months before you travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to find cheap tickets from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur.
Plan your trip for March. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll get in touch right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur every day.
Use filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Kuala Lumpur
August is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur. To escape the crowds, go to Kuala Lumpur in February.
Before booking a flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur, consider the kind of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in Kuala Lumpur, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 33ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 21ºC and 32ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Kuala Lumpur
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Kuala Lumpur right here. Check out these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur:
Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower Mini Zoo are just the start of the top-rated attractions to add to your Kuala Lumpur travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at KLCC Park.
Complete your Kuala Lumpur trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in Kuala Lumpur and see the sights your way. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.