Travelling from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL): What you need to know
There are a couple of airports to jet off from in Istanbul. Explore your options leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when searching for a flight from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL).
The average time for a direct Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport flight is 3 hours 40 minutes.
Helsinki is one hour behind Istanbul. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is located in Helsinki, which follows the UTC+2 timezone.
Istanbul Airport (IST) to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) is the most popular route. There are 16 direct weekly departures to choose from. If you prefer a later start to the day, hop on the last flight with Turkish Airlines at 3:15pm. Opt for the first IST to HEL departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 8am if you'd rather get going earlier.
To ensure you get on your flight from Istanbul to HEL, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) can be booked from this terminal.
You'll find a direct flight from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport with Turkish Airlines. This top carrier offers services from IST.
The majority of passengers choose to book seats with Turkish Airlines from IST to HEL.
We make it a breeze to find cheap flights from Istanbul to HEL that include a stopover. To explore all your options leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some popular stopovers between IST and HEL include:
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
Riga International Airport (RIX)
Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport (TLL)
Located around 40 kilometres from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your journey? Stay near Istanbul Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport or aren't a fan of being rushed, these hotels are the ideal choice:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Consider flying out of Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). You can book a direct Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) plane ticket from this popular hub.
Pegasus has direct flights from Istanbul to HEL leaving from SAW. Book your favourite aisle (or window) seat and arrive at your destination without any detours.
Pegasus Airlines has the largest share of bookings on the SAW to HEL route.
With 70.97% of its services arriving as planned, Pegasus Airlines is the top on-time carrier flying between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
Make the most of your trip with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Check out these connections between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and HEL:
Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
SAW is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take you 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
Taking off bright and early? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your Istanbul to HEL flight:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 68%.
About Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near HEL:
Booking your ride around two weeks in advance of your Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
Getting from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) to central Helsinki
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is around 18 kilometres from the centre of Helsinki. It takes around 25 minutes or so to get to the city by car.
It takes around 30 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
Right now, ₹ 9,115 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is ₹ 16,535. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Snap up cheap flights from Istanbul to HEL by booking seven months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
December is when you're most likely to find a good deal on a Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport ticket. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices across every month.
You don't need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal on plane tickets from Istanbul to HEL.
Save money on your flight from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport by using the search filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
September is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL). Visit Helsinki in January if you'd rather be there when it's quieter.
The warmest month in Helsinki is July, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC and 26ºC. Book your Istanbul to HEL plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in January when temperatures are between -12ºC and 3ºC.
More about Helsinki
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Helsinki right here. Explore these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to know where to start. Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki Central Station and Finnish National Opera and Ballet are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned Helsinki itinerary.
Explore more of Finland
Tampere is just one of the many cities in Finland waiting to be discovered once you've seen Helsinki. Around 145 kilometres away to the northwest, its best attractions include Pyynikki Observation Tower, The Natural History Museum and Pyynikki Nature Reserve.
If there's time to check out another major destination in Finland, consider Turku, roughly 153 kilometres west of Helsinki. Turku Castle, Turku Cathedral and Ruissalo Nature Conservation Area are key reasons to visit.
