Travelling from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): What you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can start your trip from in Nairobi. Check out your options departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL) when planning your flight from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
7 hours is the average duration of a direct Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight.
Istanbul (where Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located) and Nairobi share the UTC+3 timezone. You can fly without needing to calculate any time difference.
You can pick from 7 direct services each week between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). This is the most popular route, with Turkish Airlines offering a 3:35am departure from NBO to IST.
To ensure you get on your flight from Nairobi to IST, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
If you're heading away during a bank holiday or other peak period, allow for even more time. Arrive two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at security and check-in will be longer.
Airports in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) provides a hassle-free way to reach your destination. Nonstop flights from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) can be booked from this terminal.
You can travel on a direct flight from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with Turkish Airlines. This popular airline operates departures from NBO.
The airline with the highest booking numbers between NBO and IST is Turkish Airlines.
We make it easy to book cheap flights from Nairobi to IST with a stopover. To explore all your options departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Top stopovers between NBO and IST include:
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)
Mogadishu International Airport (MGQ)
Located around 14 kilometres from central Nairobi, NBO can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the mad dash to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by staying at one of these hotels close to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
Of the flights that depart from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, 67.1% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
WIL is about 3 kilometres from central Nairobi. It'll take you 15 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Nairobi to IST flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Wilson Airport:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Travel at your own speed 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.
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport to the centre of Istanbul is about 32 kilometres. If you're renting a car or getting a cab, do a little research to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times vary depending on traffic conditions and the time of day.
Travelling on public transport typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is ₹ 21,170. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ₹ 30,255. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
Book six months before flying. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Nairobi to IST.
Schedule your trip for November. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Snapping up a cheap flight ticket from Nairobi to IST is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Nail down a great price on a flight from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
August is the most popular month for flights from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Plan your visit to Istanbul in February for a more low-key escape.
Lock in a Nairobi to IST flight ticket departing in August if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January when temperatures are between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Nairobi to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are plenty of things to do in Istanbul when you're ready to get out and sightsee. Kick off your exploring at Hagia Sophia History Museum followed by Hagia Sophia Museum and Historic Areas of Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've visited Istanbul, now it's time to discover other parts of Türkiye (Turkey). Travel around 225 kilometres south-east to Eskisehir to tick off its leading attractions. From Eskişehir to Eskişehir and Eskişehir Odunpazarı Evleri, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If there's time to check out another great destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Adapazarı, about 153 kilometres east of Istanbul. Ozanlar Ulu Cami, Güllük Cami and Valide Cami are among the biggest draws.
