Travelling from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Bucharest: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 1 hour 45 minutes. On average, that's the time it takes for a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to Bucharest.
The timezone in Bucharest is UTC+2. The city is one hour behind Istanbul, where Istanbul Airport is located.
The most popular flight route is from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP). There are 43 services between these airports every week.
Leave plenty of time to catch your IST to Bucharest flight. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
You can book a direct Istanbul Airport to Bucharest ticket. Begin your trip at IST and end it at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP).
You'll have your choice of carriers offering direct flights from Istanbul Airport to Bucharest. Reserve your trip with one of these:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and possibly even visit a new city. When browsing for plane tickets from IST to Bucharest, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport (SKG)
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Have an early flight from Istanbul Airport to Bucharest? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to IST:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Bucharest
₹ 6,980 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Istanbul Airport to Bucharest flight. A return plane ticket starts from ₹ 14,391. These prices may change based on availability.
To secure cheap flights from IST to Bucharest, reserve your journey six months ahead of your departure date.
November is the best month for nabbing an awesome deal on Istanbul Airport to Bucharest tickets. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
There's no need to keep checking in to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's an updated deal for cheap flights from IST to Bucharest.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Istanbul Airport to Bucharest.
Airports in Bucharest
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) is around 16 kilometres from the centre of Bucharest. If you're grabbing a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes about 30 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 35 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul Airport to Bucharest. Stay at one of these accommodation options near OTP instead:
Reserving your ride from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport around one week in advance of your flight from IST to Bucharest can help you get the lowest rate.
Baneasa Airport (BBU)
Baneasa Airport (BBU) is roughly 8 kilometres from central Bucharest. Explore your options for getting into town after your flight from Istanbul Airport to Bucharest has arrived.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near BBU. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your IST to Bucharest flight:
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from BBU two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Bucharest
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from Istanbul Airport to Bucharest. July is the most popular month to visit Bucharest. If you like a more relaxed atmosphere, go in January.
Before booking a Istanbul Airport to Bucharest plane ticket, think about the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Bucharest, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC to 34ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between -9ºC and 8ºC. Search for a cheap ticket from IST to Bucharest around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Bucharest
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul Airport to Bucharest, find a hotel that offers both comfort and a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Bucharest:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Museum of the Palace of the Parliament, Caru' cu Bere and National Bank of Romania Museum are leading attractions which should feature on every Bucharest itinerary.
Explore more of Romania
You've visited Bucharest, now it's time to discover other corners of Romania. Journey around 322 kilometres north to Iasi to tick off its leading sights. From Galata Monastery to The Catholic Cathedral Saint Mary and Monastery of the Three Holy Hierarchs, your itinerary will be busy.
If you want to check out another well-known destination in Romania, head for Cluj-Napoca, about 322 kilometres northwest of Bucharest. St. Michael's Church, Museum Square and Romanian Orthodox Church of Transfiguration are among its highlights.
