Flying from Seattle to Istanbul: what you need to know
Seattle is home to two main airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Seattle to Istanbul leaving from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE).
Istanbul Airport (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's major gateways.
The average length of a direct Seattle to Istanbul flight is 11 hours 55 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, making Istanbul 11 hours ahead of Seattle.
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are seven weekly departures to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Seattle to Istanbul is with Turkish Airlines at 20:00. Choose the first SEA to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 12:30 to maximise your time in Istanbul.
To ensure you make your Seattle to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Be prepared for longer lines in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Istanbul
Score cheap Seattle to Istanbul flights by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for finding the biggest deals.
Organise your trip for June. That's the best month for landing great bargains on plane tickets from Seattle to Istanbul. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Seattle to Istanbul is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as there's a better deal.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Seattle to Istanbul flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
You can catch a direct flight from Seattle to Istanbul leaving from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Begin your journey at SEA and arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST).
Reserve your Seattle to Istanbul plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This airline is a top pick for direct flights from SEA.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even explore another city. When browsing Seattle to Istanbul flights leaving from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
SEA is around 19 kilometres from central Seattle. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Seattle to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Seattle / Tacoma International Airport:
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport earns top marks for its on-time performance. 80% of flights that take off from SEA land on time.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 32 kilometres. It'll take you around 45 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Seattle to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Istanbul Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and see more of Istanbul and beyond.
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Airport around two weeks before your departure date.
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) is about 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. Following your flight from Seattle to Istanbul, it takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
You'll find some comfortable places to call home for the night near SAW. Tuck yourself in after your Seattle to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting in a long taxi line. Pick up a Istanbul Sabiha Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Snap up a deal by booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Seattle to Istanbul. To steer clear of the crowds, visit Istanbul in March.
Book a Seattle to Istanbul ticket departing in July if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Seattle to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Seattle to Istanbul, check out our range of hotels including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Hagia Sophia, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has plenty to offer, 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. Start with popular sights like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience major highlights starting with Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.

