Travelling from Istanbul to Nairobi: what you need to know
Istanbul is home to a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Nairobi departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Wilson Airport (WIL) are Nairobi's major entry points.
Hop on a direct Istanbul to Nairobi flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 6 hours 50 minutes.
Istanbul and Nairobi follow the same timezone, UTC+3.
With seven flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Istanbul to Nairobi with Turkish Airlines at 16:35. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the last flight from IST to NBO is with Turkish Airlines at 22:20.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to board your Istanbul to Nairobi flight.
You can expect longer lines during popular months such as April. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Nairobi
To snag cheap Istanbul to Nairobi flights, reserve your journey two months ahead of your departure date.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Nairobi. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Istanbul to Nairobi.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Istanbul to Nairobi flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Set out from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) on a nonstop flight from Istanbul to Nairobi. From IST, you can travel directly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
Secure your Istanbul to Nairobi plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This carrier is a popular choice for direct flights from IST.
We make it a breeze to book an Istanbul to Nairobi flight with a stopover. To see the options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED)
IST is about 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Want a convenient hotel near Istanbul Ataturk Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Visit friends or family or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your Istanbul to Nairobi flight, here's where you can stop when taking off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
SAW is about 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take 55 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Start your holiday sooner with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, kick back in one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
76.93% of flights out of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to central Nairobi takes about 20 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 11 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near NBO:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Auto-Union, Green Motion or Hertz and experience the lesser-explored corners of Nairobi and beyond.
For the lowest price, reserve your ride from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport about three weeks in advance of your Istanbul to Nairobi flight.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Once your flight from Istanbul to Nairobi has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 15 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is approximately 2 kilometres from Wilson Airport (WIL).
The trip will take about 45 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel near WIL. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Istanbul to Nairobi:
Pick up a Wilson Airport rental car and be in control of your journey. You can select from trusted companies like Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car.
Usually, the sooner you book, the bigger the savings and variety of vehicles. Lock in your ride from WIL as soon as your plans are confirmed.
Best time to go to Nairobi
February is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Nairobi, while July is the most popular. Find the best time to go to Nairobi based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Istanbul to Nairobi tickets, think about what kind of weather you prefer. March is the warmest month in Nairobi, with temperatures ranging from 14ºC (57ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Istanbul to Nairobi in July if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF) on average.
More about Nairobi
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Nairobi:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are must-visits when exploring Nairobi.
Explore more of Kenya
Mombasa is just one of the many cities in Kenya waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Nairobi. Around 434 kilometres to the south-east, check out popular attractions including Fort Jesus, Haller Park and Old Town of Mombasa.
Nakuru is another must-experience destination in Kenya and is around 145 kilometres north-west of Nairobi. No trip is complete without seeing ARTHUR GARDENS (WEDDING/EVENT GROUNDS), Upper Hill estate and Muhia's Conservation Forest.