Traveling from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Keflavik Airport to Istanbul is 5 hours 55 minutes.
Keflavik Airport is located in Reykjavik. Following the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is three hours ahead of Reykjavik.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your KEF to Istanbul flight.
Traveling during a peak time like August? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Start your journey at KEF and travel straight to Istanbul Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Keflavik Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Check out the offers from Icelandair. This carrier has direct flights from Keflavik Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and possibly even tick off a new city. When searching for plane tickets from KEF to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Located around 40 kilometers from the center of Reykjavik, KEF can be reached in about 45 minutes by car. Traveling on public transport will take roughly 55 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your vacation? Stay near KEF. Whether you're taking an early flight from Keflavik Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are a convenient choice:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Keflavik Airport, 79% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Istanbul
AED 441 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Keflavik Airport to Istanbul flight. A return plane ticket right now is AED 1,063. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.
Book five months before you travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from KEF to Istanbul.
The best month for picking up cheap Keflavik Airport to Istanbul tickets is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Snapping up a cheap flight from KEF to Istanbul couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Find an affordable flight from Keflavik Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 45 minutes by car. The center is roughly 40 kilometers away.
Traveling on public transport typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Keflavik Airport to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
To get the lowest price, book your ride from Istanbul Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from KEF to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometers from central Istanbul. Once you've disembarked your flight from Keflavik Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
The journey will take about 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.
After stepping off your KEF to Istanbul flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Keflavik Airport to Istanbul. August is the busiest month to visit Istanbul. If you want a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is July, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your Keflavik Airport to Istanbul plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from KEF to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Keflavik Airport to Istanbul, find a hotel that offers both comfort and a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia Museum are just the start of the major attractions to put on your Istanbul travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Hagia Sophia History Museum.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometers east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with popular sights like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Around 322 kilometers southwest of Istanbul, Izmir is another favorite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.