Turkish Airlines offers 4 to 5 direct flights in average every day from Tehran to Istanbul. Flights take off every day from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) and land at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) within nearly three and a half hours. No big changes occur in the number of flights throughout the year; however there may be slight differences on the departure hours.
As the capital and the largest city in Iran, Tehran owns an utterly mobile and populous presence. Being a pioneer countrywide in many aspects, the capital shines out especially in economy, politics and industry. Constantly developing with its population of nearly 18 million, Tehran is home to a large number of young university students as well. The magnificent city full of extremely glorious palaces and museums impressing by their wide range of collections is also remarkable for the enthralling aesthetic details. During your stay, you may visit the Golestan Palace, the most touristic spot in the city, and the Saadabad Palace Museum as a very broad complex; shop at the Grand Bazaar and enjoy your time in the National Museum and other attractions around.
There are two airports in Tehran. Mehrabad Airport (THR) only serves for domestic flights today. Other airport which is 55 kilometers to the center, Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) serves as the point of departure for Turkish Airlines passengers holding a flight ticket from Tehran.
It is possible to reach the airport via the red subway line operating from the city center. This subway line numbered 8 reaches the platform in the first floor of the airport. Another option for getting to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is taking cabs which are available all over the city. It would be advisable to agree on the fare with the driver prior to the journey, if you are planning to use the cabs.
As an extremely popular touristic destination by its history of thousands of years, Istanbul offers unforgettable moments for millions of tourists visiting the city each year. Shining out by its natural gems accompanied by its historical heritage and its glorious palaces of hundreds of years, this magnificent metropolis truly has a legendary beauty by the marvelous Bosporus flowing through.
Istanbul is full of ceaseless life all day long in the shade of giant skyscrapers illuminated colorfully in the nights. Countless magnificent artifacts in the Historical Peninsula, including but not limited to the Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia Museum both provide an insight into the past and serve to the city still, maintaining their significance within today’s world. Do not forget to see the amazing artifacts in this region and visit utterly valuable spots like Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque and the Basilica Cistern, shop in the authentic atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar during your visit to this splendid city.
Istanbul hosts two international airports to meet the high demand in air traffic: Istanbul Airport (IST) in the European side and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) in the Anatolian side. Passengers holding a flight ticket to Istanbul from Tehran with Turkish Airlines may select amongst these two airports their point of arrival.
Istanbul straddles two continent and is home to the new Istanbul Airport (IST), on the European continent, approximately 35 km from Istanbul’s city center. The are many transportation alternatives available from Istanbul Airport to the city for our guests to benefit from.
Those that are looking for affordable public transportation, you can reach many spots in the city with the IETT bus services and Havaist. If you want to reach the city enter in half an hour, taxi services located outside the domestic and international terminals charge around 100 TL. If you are looking for a more peaceful journey, there are car rental company available.
You can find more detailed information on how to reach the city from the airport here.
It is possible to get on the municipal buses numbered KM22 departing from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) and reach Kartal Subway Station. You may change here to subway and reach anywhere you want in the city.
Those preferring using municipal buses may get on the bus numbered E-11 which stops by every station on E5 highway heading towards Kadıköy or the express bus numbered E-11 for a swift transport to Kadıköy. Passengers traveling to the European side may use the bus numbered E-3 to 4th Levent and SG-2 to Taksim.
Setting off from airport to Kadıköy and Taksim, airport shuttles would be another comfortable option. Along with all these, you may always benefit from the cabs operating 7/24 or rent a car for a more private option.