Travelling from Dalaman Airport (DLM) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 20 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Dalaman (the location of Dalaman Airport).
The busiest route is from Dalaman Airport (DLM) to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). There are 57 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from DLM to SAW is the 04:00 AJet service. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 23:55 with AJet.
To avoid rushing for your DLM to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You can expect longer lines in popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
You can book a direct Dalaman Airport to Istanbul ticket. Start your trip at DLM and land at Istanbul Airport (IST).
Leading airlines that offer direct flights from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul include:
The journey from central Dalaman to DLM takes around 25 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 5 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a relaxed start to your journey? Stay near DLM. Whether you have an early flight from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
75% of flights taking off from Dalaman Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Dalaman Airport (DLM) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Dalaman Airport to Istanbul flight is RM122. The cheapest price for a return flight is RM259. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To secure cheap flights from DLM to Istanbul, book your journey 11 months before your departure.
The best month for picking up cheap Dalaman Airport to Istanbul tickets is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
You don't need to check back constantly to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's an extra saving on cheap flights from DLM to Istanbul.
Find a cheap flight from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is around 40 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're opting for a ride-share or a taxi, the drive will take roughly 45 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
To secure the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from DLM to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to park your luggage (and yourself) near SAW. Kick back and get cosy after your DLM to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means more savings and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul. August is the most popular month for a trip to Istanbul. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is July, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your Dalaman Airport to Istanbul plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from DLM to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Explore these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul:
Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia Museum are just two of the leading attractions to put on your Istanbul to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Hagia Sophia History Museum.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've visited Istanbul, now it's time to explore other parts of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its leading sights. From The Roman Theatre to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, your itinerary will be busy.
Around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.
