Cheap Flights from Zurich to Istanbul

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Compare Zurich to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

Book the best Istanbul fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Zurich to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Zurich to Istanbul? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Zurich to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Zurich to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in March.

Direct flights from Zurich to Istanbul

Zurich to Istanbul: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Zurich to Istanbul below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Istanbul.

Zurich to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found172 €
Cheapest month to flyMarch
Average flight time3 hrs, 1 min
Most popular airlineTurkish Airlines
Average flights per week124

Finding cheap flights from Zurich to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a return flight from Zurich to Istanbul is 172 €. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
3 hours and 1 minute is the average flight time from Zurich to Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines, IndiGo and MIAT Mongolian Airlines fly direct from Zurich to Istanbul.
As of March 2025, there are 124 flights per week flying from Zurich to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Zurich to Istanbul is usually March 2025.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Airport on Saturday, 22 March 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 3 hours and 1 minute.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
Currently, Air France and Turkish Airlines offer the cheapest flight tickets to Istanbul.

Flying from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know

  • The average length of a direct flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is 3 hours 1 minute. Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, making Istanbul 2 hours ahead of Zurich.

  • Flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport start at 06:45 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The latest flight in the day is the 21:05 option with Turkish Airlines. In total, there are 39 services every week from ZRH to IST.

  • During popular months such as July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you fly during a peak period in general.

  • Visiting Istanbul (and discovering more of Türkiye (Turkey)!) is straightforward with Turkish Airlines. This popular airline runs direct flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.

  • Remember, you might need a visa to enter Türkiye (Turkey). Visa requirements can differ and travel documentation requirements are always changing. Before locking in your cheap ticket from ZRH to IST, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most up-to-date information.

How to find the cheapest flights from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is 91 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 172 €. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.

  • Book 5 months before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from ZRH to IST.

  • The cheapest month for tickets from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is January. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have flexible dates.

  • Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from ZRH to IST every day.

  • Use filters to find the perfect journey for you. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.

Handy information about Zurich Airport (ZRH)

  • Travelling from central Zurich to Zurich Airport takes around 1 hour and 35 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 13 kilometres in 19 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.

  • Searching for a convenient hotel close to ZRH? If you're catching an early flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure lounge:

Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul

  • Istanbul Ataturk Airport to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away. See what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing services.

  • It takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there by public transport.

When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • It's time to plan your travel dates for your flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. August is the most popular month to visit Istanbul. If you like a quieter vibe, go in February.

  • Before locking in your flight from Zurich Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, consider the kind of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.

  • Search for cheap tickets from ZRH to IST in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.

More about Istanbul

  • Start your Istanbul trip right by finding a wonderful place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from ZRH to IST, check out our hotel options including:

  • Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the popular attractions to add to your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Galata Tower.

  • Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is an alternative international airport that'll get you to and from Istanbul. It might even be an easier or cheaper option depending on your travel plans, so it's worth exploring further.

Complete your Istanbul trip with hotels and a car rental

  • You've got your cheap ticket to Istanbul Ataturk Airport — next up is finding somewhere to stay, and perhaps even your own set of wheels. We've compared prices across hundreds of companies to bring you the best hotels and car rental deals in Istanbul.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.