Travelling from Van Ferit Melen Airport (VAN) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul and you'll be in the air for an average of 2 hours 10 minutes.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Van (the location of Van Ferit Melen Airport).
The busiest route is from Van Ferit Melen Airport (VAN) to Istanbul Airport (IST). You can select from 28 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from VAN to IST is the 09:50 Turkish Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 21:20 with Turkish Airlines.
For hassle-free travel, arrive 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 VAN to Istanbul flight.
During popular months like January, it's wise to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during a peak period in general.
Direct Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul tickets are available for booking. Istanbul Airport (IST) is where you'll step off the plane.
You'll find a good selection of airlines that offer direct flights from Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul, such as:
Located around 2 kilometres from the centre of Van, VAN can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Have an early flight from Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays close to VAN:
Van Ferit Melen Airport scores high marks for its on-time performance. 82% of flights that take off from VAN reach their destination without delay.
How to find the cheapest flights from Van Ferit Melen Airport (VAN) to Istanbul
RM160 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul flight. A return plane ticket right now is RM447. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap flights from VAN to Istanbul, book early. Airlines typically offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets first go on sale.
If you can be flexible with your trip dates, take advantage of the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the cheapest price across each month when searching for a Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul ticket.
Finding a cheap flight from VAN to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is around 40 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes about 45 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul. Pick one of these options and make arrival day easier:
Booking your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from VAN to Istanbul can help you lock in the best possible rate.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is about 48 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take about 1 hour 40 minutes.
After stepping off your VAN to Istanbul flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Call dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means more savings and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul, while August is the busiest. Find the ideal time to visit Istanbul based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from VAN to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Van Ferit Melen Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia Museum and Hagia Sophia History Museum are highlights which should feature on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, well-known attractions include The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.
