Travelling from Istanbul to Nairobi: what you need to know
Istanbul has a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Explore your options for reserving 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 gateways.
The average time for a direct Istanbul to Nairobi flight is 6 hours 50 minutes.
Istanbul and Nairobi share 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 most popular route. Board the earliest flight from Istanbul to Nairobi with Turkish Airlines at 19:00. If you'd like to make the most of your day before leaving, the last departure from IST to NBO is with Turkish Airlines at 20:35.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Istanbul to Nairobi flight.
You can expect longer queues in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
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)
You can catch a direct flight from Istanbul to Nairobi leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Begin your journey at IST and end it at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
Turkish Airlines is a well-known airline that offers direct Istanbul to Nairobi plane tickets from IST.
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Istanbul to Nairobi flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED)
IST is about 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your travels? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Istanbul to Nairobi or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Break up your Istanbul to Nairobi flight with a stop so you can freshen up or cross another place off your list. Top stopovers between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Nairobi are:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
SAW is about 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take you 55 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Start your holiday sooner with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, take it easy in one of these hotels close to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 77%.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is approximately 13 kilometres from central Nairobi. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 20 minutes.
Getting there on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near NBO:
Pick up a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car and discover Nairobi and beyond with your own set of wheels. Auto-Union, Green Motion and Hertz are popular outlets you can book with here.
Booking your ride from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport about three weeks in advance can help you get the best possible rate.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Wilson Airport (WIL) is about 2 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi. After your flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, it'll take you approximately 15 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
The journey will take approximately 45 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, unwind at a hotel close to WIL. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Grab a Wilson Airport rental car and be your own tour guide. You can choose from trusted rental outlets like Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from WIL ahead of time so you can simply grab the keys and go.
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
Start your Nairobi trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Nairobi, check out our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are leading attractions which should feature on every Nairobi itinerary.
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.