Travelling from Chennai Airport (MAA) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Istanbul is two hours 30 minutes behind Chennai, where Chennai Airport is located. Istanbul runs on the UTC+3 timezone.
Allow plenty of time to catch your MAA to Istanbul flight. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're flying during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good general rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Security and check-in lines will be longer.
We make it easy to book flight tickets from MAA to Istanbul with a stopover. To see all your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
MAA is about 16 kilometres from central Chennai. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 50 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Chennai Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays near MAA:
Of the flights that depart from Chennai Airport, 76.04% land on schedule at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chennai Airport (MAA) to Istanbul
₹ 13,470 is currently the best price for a one-way Chennai Airport to Istanbul flight. Return flight tickets start at ₹ 25,529. These fares may change based on demand.
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from MAA to Istanbul. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer you get to departure, the more expensive your ticket may be.
If you have flexibility with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price across each month when looking for a Chennai Airport to Istanbul ticket.
Picking up a cheap flight from MAA to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you as soon as a deal gets even better.
Snag an affordable flight from Chennai Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes about 50 minutes.
It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Chennai Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these options and make arrival day easier:
Travel at your own pace with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from MAA to Istanbul can help you secure the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Chennai Airport to Istanbul has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
After stepping off your MAA to Istanbul flight, rest your head at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or waiting in a long cab line. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Check out the rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Lock in the lowest price by securing your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Chennai Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive during high season, but hotel rates are usually higher and major attractions can get crowded. Go to Istanbul in low season for a quieter vibe.
Book a Chennai Airport to Istanbul flight ticket with a departure in August if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from MAA to Istanbul in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from Chennai Airport to Istanbul, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, its top attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're eager to discover another corner of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among its highlights.
