Traveling from Lyon Airport (LYS) to Istanbul Airport (IST): what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 3 hours 15 minutes.
Istanbul is two hours ahead of Lyon and is in the UTC+3 timezone.
Flights from LYS to IST start at 06:05 — the earliest with Transavia France. The last service of the day is at 19:35 with Turkish Airlines. In total, you can take your pick of 16 weekly Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport flights.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are tried-and-true travel tips. Make sure you're at the airport on time to board your LYS to IST flight.
Traveling during a peak time like June? Public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Turkish Airlines is your gateway to discovering Istanbul (and maybe even some other great corners of Türkiye (Turkey)!). Browse the direct flights from Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport offered by this carrier.
The airline that tops the list for bookings on this route is Turkish Airlines.
We make it simple to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to visit your chosen city. Popular stopovers between LYS and IST include:
Budapest Airport
Nice Airport
Marseille Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Lyon Airport (LYS) to Istanbul Airport (IST)
Right now, AED 212 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is AED 529. Bear in mind that fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book four months before flying. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from LYS to IST.
September is the cheapest month for flights from Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport. If you prefer to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest airfares across every month.
There's no need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's a change in price on cheap flights from LYS to IST.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport.
Handy information about Lyon Airport (LYS)
Of the flights that depart from Lyon Airport, 79% land on time at their destination.
To get to Lyon Airport from central Lyon, it takes about 30 minutes if you're planning to drive. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 26 kilometers from the airport to the city center.
You can expect a journey time of around 35 minutes when using public transport.
Need a convenient hotel near LYS? If you're catching an early flight from Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
The last thing you need is a long trip to your hotel if you're arriving on a late Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Travel at your own pace with a Istanbul Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and discover more of Istanbul and beyond.
Reserving your ride from Istanbul Airport about two weeks in advance can help you get the lowest rate.
Getting from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Airport, Istanbul is approximately 40 kilometers away. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the center by car.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Airport (IST)
The quietest month for a flight from Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport is March, while August is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to visit Istanbul based on whether you prefer a more fast-paced or easygoing experience.
Book your flight from Lyon Airport to Istanbul Airport for July if you want to explore Istanbul during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 21ºC (70ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from LYS to IST in January if you like traveling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've visited Istanbul, now it's time to discover more of Türkiye (Turkey). Travel around 354 kilometers east to Ankara to tick off its leading attractions. From The Roman Theatre to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If there's time to check out another side of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometers south-west of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are highlights.
