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R4 234+ 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 9/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
— IST
Mar 30 — Apr 61
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Flights to Istanbul in 2026

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

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 28 February 2026.

Wed 4/312:45
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop22h 25m
Qatar Airways
Wed 11/313:40
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop15h 15m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 27/2R8 181
Fri 6/312:45
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop22h 25m
Qatar Airways
Fri 13/313:40
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop15h 15m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 24/2R8 197
Wed 25/212:45
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop22h 25m
Qatar Airways
Thu 26/1113:40
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop15h 15m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 24/2R8 244
Fri 10/412:40
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop22h 30m
Qatar Airways
Mon 20/413:35
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop20h 15m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 25/2R8 292
Sun 1/321:45
JNB
-
IST
1 stop14h 15m
Egyptair
Sun 8/318:50
IST
-
JNB
1 stop13h 20m
Egyptair
Deal found 24/2R8 388
Mon 23/312:45
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop22h 25m
Qatar Airways
Mon 30/313:35
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop15h 25m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 27/2R8 419
Fri 1/514:45
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop20h 25m
Qatar Airways
Wed 6/513:35
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop20h 15m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 27/2R8 483
Sun 5/412:40
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop22h 30m
Qatar Airways
Sun 12/413:35
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop27h 15m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 24/2R8 499
Sun 1/312:45
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop22h 25m
Qatar Airways
Sun 8/313:40
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop15h 15m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 24/2R8 515
Wed 29/420:40
JNB
-
SAW
1 stop14h 30m
Qatar Airways
Wed 6/513:35
SAW
-
JNB
1 stop20h 15m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 24/2R8 563
Mon 2/312:45
JNB
-
IST
1 stop22h 35m
Qatar Airways
Tue 17/320:10
IST
-
JNB
1 stop13h 30m
Qatar Airways
Deal found 26/2R8 658
Mon 2/321:45
JNB
-
IST
1 stop28h 05m
Egyptair
Mon 16/33:50
IST
-
JNB
1 stop28h 20m
Egyptair
Deal found 27/2R8 674

Find flight deals to Istanbul

Find the latest flights to Istanbul in 2026, 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 28 February 2026.

Return from

R8 292

One-way from

R4 234

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

February

Average price

R9 040
Qatar Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • 10/4-20/4
  • 2 total stops
  • 42h 45m total
  • Johannesburg to Istanbul
Search Deals
Qatar Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • 9/3
  • 1 total stop
  • 22h 25m total
  • Johannesburg to Istanbul
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 1% potential increase in price (R128 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease (R146 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for return flights in February 2026
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 28 February 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights to Istanbul that are best for you.

Fly from

Route

Depart

Return

Price

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 24/4

14:45-12:10

1 stop20h 25m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Mon 27/4

13:35-8:50

1 stop20h 15m

R8 817

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - IST

JNBIST

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Thu 25/6

8:20-21:10

1 stop11h 50m

Istanbul

Thu 9/7

8:00-20:10

1 stop13h 10m

R9 374

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Thu 19/3

19:20-21:20

2 stops25h 00m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Wed 1/4

8:50-21:20

1 stop37h 30m

R10 011

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 20/7

20:55-12:10

1 stop14h 15m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Mon 10/8

13:35-4:00

1 stop15h 25m

R10 266

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Sat 9/5

23:15-17:05

1 stop16h 50m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Sun 31/5

8:50-11:05

2 stops27h 15m

R10 552

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - IST

JNBIST

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 10/6

23:15-1:20

1 stop25h 05m

Istanbul

Mon 15/6

6:00-11:05

2 stops30h 05m

R10 663

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Mon 13/4

10:05-13:05

1 stop26h 00m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Mon 20/4

14:05-10:15

1 stop21h 10m

R11 029

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - SAW

JNBSAW

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 15/7

14:45-12:10

1 stop20h 25m

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen

Mon 20/7

13:35-4:00

1 stop15h 25m

R11 284

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - IST

JNBIST

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 20/5

18:00-4:45

Nonstop9h 45m

Istanbul

Tue 2/6

1:35-10:30

Nonstop9h 55m

R11 682

JohannesburgIstanbul

JNB - IST

JNBIST

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 1/5

18:00-4:45

Nonstop9h 45m

Istanbul

Tue 5/5

1:35-10:30

Nonstop9h 55m

R11 698

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 27/2

Showing 1-10 of 35 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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2
3
4

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 20 February 2026.

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.

Weekly flight availability to Istanbul

The most flights from Johannesburg to Istanbul are scheduled on a Wednesday (3 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, 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 Etihad Airways.

Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways
From R8 211
Emirates
Emirates
From R6 262
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines
From R10 169
Ethiopian Air
Ethiopian Air
From R8 921

What are the cheapest airlines that fly to Istanbul?

The cheapest airlines flying from Johannesburg to Istanbul are Etihad Airways, Air Algerie 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 28 February 2026.
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
3 535 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,1

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
3 535 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 535 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,1

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
3 745 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 535 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,1

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
7,3
Good
1 422 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 535 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,1

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
4 237 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 535 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,1

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
962 reviews
Emirates
8,1
Very Good
3 535 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8,0

Crew

8,4

Overall

8,1

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Boarding

8,1

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, KLM 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 R15 700, however they can be found for as little as R1 518.

  • 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 40 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. Ambassador Spa & Beauty Airport Lounge 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 Istanbul
Flights to Sabiha Gokcen
Flights from Sabiha Gokcen

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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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