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R5 334+ Cheap flights to Istanbul

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 15/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
— IST
Jan 1 — Jan 81
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Cheapest flights to Istanbul
Explore the most affordable flight options available to Istanbul. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 2 December 2025.

Fri 5/129:25JNB - SAW
1 stop25h 45mQatar Airways
Thu 11/1213:40SAW - JNB
1 stop26h 35mQatar Airways
Deal found 1/12R10 855
Fri 5/129:25JNB - SAW
1 stop25h 45mQatar Airways
Wed 10/1213:40SAW - JNB
1 stop20h 00mQatar Airways
Deal found 1/12R11 231
Mon 22/1223:59JNB - SAW
1 stop20h 21mKLM
Wed 14/19:00SAW - JNB
1 stop38h 05mKLM
Deal found 30/11R11 248
Mon 8/1213:45JNB - SAW
1 stop21h 25mQatar Airways
Mon 15/1213:40SAW - JNB
1 stop15h 15mQatar Airways
Deal found 29/11R11 573
Fri 5/1223:59JNB - SAW
1 stop16h 26mKLM
Sun 28/1215:45SAW - JNB
1 stop31h 20mKLM
Deal found 30/11R11 778
Wed 24/1219:20JNB - SAW
2 stops25h 00mKLM
Tue 30/1212:55SAW - JNB
1 stop34h 10mKLM
Deal found 2/12R11 796
Tue 9/129:25JNB - SAW
1 stop25h 45mQatar Airways
Tue 16/1213:40SAW - JNB
1 stop15h 15mQatar Airways
Deal found 30/11R11 898
Tue 9/1220:20JNB - SAW
1 stop14h 50mQatar Airways
Fri 12/1213:40SAW - JNB
1 stop26h 55mQatar Airways
Deal found 2/12R11 984
Mon 22/1223:59JNB - IST
1 stop15h 56mKLM
Tue 13/117:55IST - JNB
1 stop29h 10mKLM
Deal found 30/11R12 103
Mon 22/1223:59JNB - SAW
1 stop20h 21mKLM
Tue 13/19:00SAW - JNB
1 stop38h 05mKLM
Deal found 30/11R12 377
Fri 5/1219:45JNB - IST
1 stop21h 20mLufthansa
Wed 10/1219:00IST - JNB
1 stop15h 30mLufthansa
Deal found 1/12R12 513
Fri 5/129:25JNB - IST
1 stop25h 55mQatar Airways
Thu 11/1220:10IST - JNB
1 stop20h 05mQatar Airways
Deal found 1/12R12 565

Flights to Istanbul in 2025

Find the latest flights to Istanbul in 2025, with up-to-date prices and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 594 507 searches and data was last updated on 2 December 2025.

Return from

R9 522

One-way from

R5 334

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

February

Average price

R13 454
Qatar Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • 2/4-9/4
  • 2 total stops
  • 35h 50m total
  • Johannesburg to Istanbul
Search Deals
Qatar Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • 15/1
  • 1 total stop
  • 16h 15m total
  • Johannesburg to Istanbul
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 4% potential increase in price (R520 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease (R223 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for return flights in December 2025
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Locate flights to Istanbul that fit your budget, with regularly updated fares and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 594 507 searches and data was last updated on 2 December 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights to Istanbul that are best for you.

Fly from

Johannesburg

Route

Depart

Return

Price

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Thu 2/4

14:45-12:10

1 stop20h 25m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Thu 9/4

13:35-4:00

1 stop15h 25m

R9 522

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - IST

JNBIST

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 1/5

14:30-4:45

1 stop13h 15m

Istanbul

Tue 5/5

0:10-13:05

1 stop13h 55m

R9 847

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 30/1

23:59-17:25

1 stop16h 26m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Sat 14/2

12:55-22:05

1 stop34h 10m

R10 103

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - IST

JNBIST

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 13/2

23:59-16:55

1 stop15h 56m

Istanbul

Thu 19/2

4:50-22:05

2 stops42h 15m

R10 565

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - IST

JNBIST

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 19/1

14:30-5:00

1 stop13h 30m

Istanbul

Thu 22/1

0:05-13:05

1 stop14h 00m

R10 633

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 9/2

19:20-21:20

2 stops25h 00m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Wed 11/3

15:45-22:05

1 stop31h 20m

R10 650

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 18/2

23:59-21:20

1 stop20h 21m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Thu 26/2

9:00-12:10

2 stops28h 10m

R10 650

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - IST

JNBIST

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 8/5

14:30-4:45

1 stop13h 15m

Istanbul

Tue 12/5

10:40-3:55

2 stops18h 15m

R10 667

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Sun 25/1

23:59-21:20

1 stop20h 21m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Sun 1/2

9:00-12:10

2 stops28h 10m

R10 667

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 24/2

23:59-21:20

1 stop20h 21m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Tue 3/3

12:55-12:10

2 stops24h 15m

R10 667

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 1/12

Showing 1-10 of 40 results
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Best time to book a flight to Istanbul

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Istanbul with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight to Istanbul

When is the best time to book a flight to Istanbul?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul. Price data was last updated on 28 November 2025.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight to Istanbul, you should look to book at least 81 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

How long is the flight to Istanbul?

On average, a flight from Johannesburg to Istanbul takes 12 hours 5 minutes. Flights to Istanbul from other popular cities in South Africa will vary in length. Below are a few examples of popular routes and their flight times.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Istanbul?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Johannesburg to Istanbul. Price data was last updated on 16 December 2024.

Users looking for the lowest fares to Istanbul should consider flying on Monday evenings, when prices are typically cheapest. Budget-minded travellers will want to avoid Saturday afternoons, when prices are usually at their highest.

Weekly flight availability to Istanbul

The most flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul are scheduled on a Monday (3 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Tuesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (2 on average).

What are the most popular airlines that fly to Istanbul?

The most popular airlines flying from Johannesburg to Istanbul are Qatar Airways, Emirates and Turkish Airlines.

Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways
From R8 759
Emirates
Emirates
From R9 639
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines
From R10 726
Ethiopian Air
Ethiopian Air
From R9 700

What are the cheapest airlines that fly to Istanbul?

The cheapest airlines flying from Johannesburg to Istanbul are Etihad Airways, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways.

Rainfall in Istanbul by month

Plan your trip to Istanbul by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Istanbul ranges from 10.0 - 100.0 mm per month. December is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 100.0 mm. July is typically the driest time to visit Istanbul when rainfall is around 10.0 mm.

Temperature in Istanbul by month

Plan your trip to Istanbul by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Istanbul, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 23.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 5.0 C).

Reviews of airlines servicing Istanbul

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Istanbul. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Istanbul. Reviews last updated 2 December 2025.
Check out reviews from past customers who have flown Emirates, Qatar Airways, andEtihad Airways to Turkey to help guide your decision. Reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 432 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,1

Boarding

8,1

Crew

8,3

Comfort

8,0

Food

7,9

Reviews

1 / 20
2,0
Mediocre

Hemshika,Jun 2025

DXB - LGW

It was not good. As soon as we entered the plane, 2 girls in front of us bend their seats down completely and startes sleeping within the next 2 minutes. I asked one of the air hostess to ask the girls to make them sit straight because we just entered the plane and we wanted to sit properly put our seat belts etc. The air hostess replied to me in the EK 009 plane that it's her right she can bend it but when we take off, she will have to straighten her seat. She never did because the air hostess never told her. The girls left their seats bent down and I had to intervene to ask them to straighten their seats because we had to eat. The girls kept telling us to please eat fast so they can bend down. What rubbish is this. Pressure to eat for their comfort and our discomfort.
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 432 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 432 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,1

Boarding

8,1

Crew

8,3

Comfort

8,0

Food

7,9

Reviews

1 / 20
2,0
Mediocre

Hemshika,Jun 2025

DXB - LGW

It was not good. As soon as we entered the plane, 2 girls in front of us bend their seats down completely and startes sleeping within the next 2 minutes. I asked one of the air hostess to ask the girls to make them sit straight because we just entered the plane and we wanted to sit properly put our seat belts etc. The air hostess replied to me in the EK 009 plane that it's her right she can bend it but when we take off, she will have to straighten her seat. She never did because the air hostess never told her. The girls left their seats bent down and I had to intervene to ask them to straighten their seats because we had to eat. The girls kept telling us to please eat fast so they can bend down. What rubbish is this. Pressure to eat for their comfort and our discomfort.
Qatar Airways
7,4
Good
3 680 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 432 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,1

Boarding

8,1

Crew

8,3

Comfort

8,0

Food

7,9

Reviews

1 / 20
2,0
Mediocre

Hemshika,Jun 2025

DXB - LGW

It was not good. As soon as we entered the plane, 2 girls in front of us bend their seats down completely and startes sleeping within the next 2 minutes. I asked one of the air hostess to ask the girls to make them sit straight because we just entered the plane and we wanted to sit properly put our seat belts etc. The air hostess replied to me in the EK 009 plane that it's her right she can bend it but when we take off, she will have to straighten her seat. She never did because the air hostess never told her. The girls left their seats bent down and I had to intervene to ask them to straighten their seats because we had to eat. The girls kept telling us to please eat fast so they can bend down. What rubbish is this. Pressure to eat for their comfort and our discomfort.
Etihad Airways
7,4
Good
1 319 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 432 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,1

Boarding

8,1

Crew

8,3

Comfort

8,0

Food

7,9

Reviews

1 / 20
2,0
Mediocre

Hemshika,Jun 2025

DXB - LGW

It was not good. As soon as we entered the plane, 2 girls in front of us bend their seats down completely and startes sleeping within the next 2 minutes. I asked one of the air hostess to ask the girls to make them sit straight because we just entered the plane and we wanted to sit properly put our seat belts etc. The air hostess replied to me in the EK 009 plane that it's her right she can bend it but when we take off, she will have to straighten her seat. She never did because the air hostess never told her. The girls left their seats bent down and I had to intervene to ask them to straighten their seats because we had to eat. The girls kept telling us to please eat fast so they can bend down. What rubbish is this. Pressure to eat for their comfort and our discomfort.
Turkish Airlines
7,3
Good
4 071 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 432 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,1

Boarding

8,1

Crew

8,3

Comfort

8,0

Food

7,9

Reviews

1 / 20
2,0
Mediocre

Hemshika,Jun 2025

DXB - LGW

It was not good. As soon as we entered the plane, 2 girls in front of us bend their seats down completely and startes sleeping within the next 2 minutes. I asked one of the air hostess to ask the girls to make them sit straight because we just entered the plane and we wanted to sit properly put our seat belts etc. The air hostess replied to me in the EK 009 plane that it's her right she can bend it but when we take off, she will have to straighten her seat. She never did because the air hostess never told her. The girls left their seats bent down and I had to intervene to ask them to straighten their seats because we had to eat. The girls kept telling us to please eat fast so they can bend down. What rubbish is this. Pressure to eat for their comfort and our discomfort.
Ethiopian Air
7,2
Good
903 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 432 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8,2

Overall

8,1

Boarding

8,1

Crew

8,3

Comfort

8,0

Food

7,9

Reviews

1 / 20
2,0
Mediocre

Hemshika,Jun 2025

DXB - LGW

It was not good. As soon as we entered the plane, 2 girls in front of us bend their seats down completely and startes sleeping within the next 2 minutes. I asked one of the air hostess to ask the girls to make them sit straight because we just entered the plane and we wanted to sit properly put our seat belts etc. The air hostess replied to me in the EK 009 plane that it's her right she can bend it but when we take off, she will have to straighten her seat. She never did because the air hostess never told her. The girls left their seats bent down and I had to intervene to ask them to straighten their seats because we had to eat. The girls kept telling us to please eat fast so they can bend down. What rubbish is this. Pressure to eat for their comfort and our discomfort.

FAQs about flying to Istanbul

  • Can I find cheaper flights to Istanbul if I am willing to have stopovers?

    Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to Istanbul on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

  • What is the best airline to fly to Istanbul?

    Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Etihad Airways is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to Istanbul.

  • How much is a return flight to Istanbul?

    A return flight to Istanbul will typically cost around R23 912, however they can be found for as little as R4 221.

  • Where does the fastest flight to Istanbul depart from?

    For those looking to save time traveling to Istanbul, Johannesburg offers the quickest one-way flight (9 hours 55 minutes).

  • Does Istanbul have car hire?

    Yes. Those touching down at Istanbul can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

  • Are there hotels close to Istanbul?

    Yes. Istanbul has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. havalimanına yakın konumda daire is the closest property to Istanbul (0,0 km away from Istanbul).

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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Airports serving Istanbul

Book a flight to or from one of these Istanbul airports.
Flights to Sabiha Gokcen
Flights from Sabiha Gokcen

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When you search for this flight to Istanbul, Cheapflights searches on 900+ travel sites to save you time finding great flight deals online. Additionally, we offer filter features so you can choose a preferred cabin class or airline, see different price ranges, and much more so you can book the best flight for you.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets to Istanbul?

Millions of users choose and trust Cheapflights to book the best flight deals to Istanbul for free. We help you search and compare prices from hundreds of airlines for the right flight just for you.

Can Cheapflights find flights to Istanbul with no change fees?

Certainly. Search results for flights to Istanbul shown to you on Cheapflights can be narrowed down with different useful search filters, which includes flexible booking options.

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