Travelling from Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Approximately 3 hours is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul.
Najaf (the location of Al-Ashraf International Airport) and Istanbul follow the same timezone — UTC+3.
With two flights a week between the two airports, Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 05:20. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the latest departure from NJF to IST is with Iraqi Airways at 17:00.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to board your NJF to Istanbul flight.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Begin your trip at NJF and fly straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Book your ticket with Iraqi Airways. This well-known carrier operates direct flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling and maybe even explore a different city. When searching for flight tickets from NJF to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Kuwait International Airport (KWI)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
To reach NJF from central Najaf, it takes around 30 minutes by car. It's roughly 6 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
If you have an early flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul, why not stay close by? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and enjoy some extra shut-eye) at Royal Eagle Hotel. Granada Hotel is another handy option near NJF.
When it comes to Al-Ashraf International Airport's on-time performance, 77.99% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Al-Ashraf International Airport (NJF) to Istanbul
RM622 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul flight. A round-trip flight ticket right now is RM1,382. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from NJF to Istanbul if you book early. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird deals.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, take advantage of the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price across every month when looking for your Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul ticket.
You don't need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an even better deal on cheap flights from NJF to Istanbul.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes if you're using public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul. Pick one of these accommodation options and make your first night all about catching up on rest:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and experience the lesser-explored corners of Istanbul and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from NJF to Istanbul can help you lock in the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 55 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near SAW. Kick back and get cosy after your NJF to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and make a speedy getaway.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW will save you money.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your trip dates before locking in your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul. The city buzzes in high season, but rates are typically higher and top attractions can be busy. Plan your trip to Istanbul in the off-season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
Lock in an Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket with a departure in August to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from NJF to Istanbul around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Al-Ashraf International Airport to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just two of the leading attractions to put on your Istanbul must-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you busy. Don't miss top attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among the biggest draws.