Flying from Istanbul to Melbourne: what you need to know
Get your holiday planning started by considering where you'll catch your flight from Istanbul to Melbourne. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's main airports.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the primary point of entry to Melbourne.
Melbourne's timezone is UTC+11, making Melbourne eight hours ahead of Istanbul.
Leave plenty of time to catch your Istanbul to Melbourne flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak month like August? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Melbourne
Booking in advance is often the key to securing a cheap Istanbul to Melbourne flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Melbourne is easy if you're flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest fares across each month and snap up a sweet deal.
There's no need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Istanbul to Melbourne.
Save on your Istanbul to Melbourne flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even explore another city. When searching for Istanbul to Melbourne flights leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Istanbul to Melbourne or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Break up your Istanbul to Melbourne flight with a stop so you can freshen up or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Popular stopovers between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Melbourne include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
You can reach SAW from the centre of Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to travel the 31 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Istanbul to Melbourne? Check in to a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your trip officially begins. Check out these accommodation options:
77% of flights out of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is approximately 19 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 30 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 40 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Melbourne, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near MEL:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt and discover more of Melbourne and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks ahead of your Istanbul to Melbourne flight.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport (AVV) is roughly 48 kilometres from central Melbourne. Once you've hopped off your flight from Istanbul to Melbourne, it takes approximately 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
The journey will take about 2 hours 5 minutes on public transport.
The fastest way to reach your destination is with an Avalon Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental or yesaway car hire and make a speedy getaway.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at AVV will save you money.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Essendon Airport (MEB) is about 11 kilometres from central Melbourne. It'll take you about 25 minutes to reach the city centre by cab or ride-share once you've hopped off your flight from Istanbul to Melbourne.
Public transport can take you there in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Take the guesswork out of the next part of your journey by picking up an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar make getting on the road effortless.
Rental agencies sometimes offer deals on early bookings, so reserve your vehicle from MEB well ahead of your flight from Istanbul to Melbourne. A little prep today saves cash tomorrow.
Best time to go to Melbourne
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Istanbul to Melbourne. January is the most popular month for a trip to Melbourne. If you like a more low-key vibe, go in April.
When booking your Istanbul to Melbourne tickets, consider the kind of weather you prefer. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Melbourne in July if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) on average.
More about Melbourne
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Melbourne right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Melbourne:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88 are must-do's during your Melbourne adventure.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is just one of the many places in Australia waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Melbourne. Around 467 kilometres to the north-east, popular attractions include Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Around 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, Geelong is another favourite stop in Australia. No visit is complete without checking out Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre.