Flight Routes from Erbil to Istanbul

Compare cheap outbound and return flights from Erbil (EBL) to Istanbul (IST) and find the best offer from numerous airlines and travel agencies.

Trip type
Cheapest roundtrip flight
from€468
Fastest outbound flight
Fastest inbound flight
non-stop flights
17x / week
Flight distance
1,417 km
Time difference
none
Most popular airlines
  1. Turkish Airlines
  2. UR Airlines

Flight schedule from Erbil (EBL) to Istanbul (IST)

Select a travel date in the flight schedule for the route from Erbil (EBL) to Istanbul (IST) and compare affordable flight deals.

offers
Active filtersnone
Matching outbound flightsEBL–IST · 21 of 21
fromto
dep.arr.
durationstopovers
  1. 12 – 18 October 2026
  2. 19 – 25 October 2026
  3. 26 Oct – 1 Nov 2026
    1. EBLIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    2. EBLIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    3. EBLIST
      1 stopover
      1. Aegean Airlines
    4. EBLIST
      1 stopover
      1. Aegean Airlines
    5. EBLIST
      1 stopover
      1. Egyptair
    6. EBLIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    7. EBLIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    8. EBLIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    9. EBLIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    10. EBLIST
      1 stopover
      1. Air Arabia
    11. EBLIST
      1 stopover
      1. Air Arabia
    12. EBLIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    13. EBLIST
      1 stopover
      1. Air Arabia
    14. EBLIST
      1 stopover
      1. Air Arabia
    15. EBLIST
      non-stop
      1. FlexFlight

      Tips and tricks to help you find cheap flights from Erbil to Istanbul

      Favourite airline: Egyptair
      The most popular airline for flights from Erbil to Istanbul is Egyptair.
      Egyptair
      67 %
      Emirates
      33 %
      Favourite connection: via Cairo
      On this flight route, flights with a stopover in Cairo are the most popular.
      Route
      bookings
      1 stopover Cairo
      09h 00min, from £548
      67 %
      1 stopover Dubai
      24h 30min, from £954
      33 %

      Useful information about the flight from Erbil to Istanbul

      Istanbul: A charming city located on two diverse continents

      Istanbul is the only city that is actually situated on two separate continents, which makes it a very special and unique destination. Nestled between Europe and The Middle East, this city has a glorious 2,000 year history attached to it, and was once the capital of the Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman empires. 

      When to travel for good weather and events

      If you're not a fan of cold temperatures and snow, the spring, summer and autumn seasons, from May to October, are the best times to travel to Istanbul. You'll get to enjoy the Commemoration of Ataturk and Youth Sports Day on the 19th May, and the Republic Day of Turkey is a public holiday, falling on the 29th October. Ramadan and Eid are both celebrated in Istanbul too, although dates alter from year to year. The Prince Islands are open to visitors all year round and really worth a visit. Only horse drawn carriages are allowed here, as cars are prohibited. 

      Pre-travel arrangements

      If you're a British national, you'll need a visa to enter Istanbul, which can be sorted out online. Be sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Turkey. Recommended vaccination shots include hepatitis A, typhus, tetanus and diphtheria. Have fun practising your bartering skills in preparation for shopping sprees at the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar, as traders often overprice goods and haggling is part of the culture. Fast food fans are in for a treat, as there's lots to choose from. Snacks cost anywhere from 2 TRY, kebabs are around 8 and beer starts at around 6 TRY. Fish, however, is expensive. The UK is 2 hours behind Turkey. 

      Local travel and accommodation tips 

      To get to the city centre from the airport, both HAVATA and IETT operate shuttle buses which cost around 50 TRY, these depart from floor -2. Taxis into town will be about 200 TRY. Travel times are at least 40 minutes.

      Public transport in Istanbul is varied, cheap and reliable and includes bus, metro, minibus, ferry, metrobus and tram services. Invest in an Istanbulkart rechargeable pass, which is valid for all public modes of transportation. Taxis are considerably more expensive than public transport, but prices are cheaper than in London.

      A budget hostel will set you back around 30 TRY. Good areas are Eminönü or Beyoğlu.

      Important flight information

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

      How long is the flight from Erbil to Istanbul?
      A direct flight from Erbil to Istanbul typically takes around 3 hours 50 minutes. If you choose a connecting flight, you should allow more time. Typical one-stop journeys take around 24 hours 40 minutes. For the quickest journey, a direct flight is usually the most comfortable choice.
      Are there direct flights from Erbil to Istanbul?
      Yes, there are direct flights from Erbil to Istanbul, with an average of around 2 to 3 flights per day, operated by, among others, Turkish Airlines and UR Airlines. If you want to travel without a stopover, it is worth filtering specifically for direct flights when searching.
      Which airlines fly from Erbil to Istanbul?
      Direct flights from Erbil to Istanbul are operated by, among others, Turkish Airlines and UR Airlines. There are also connecting flights with one stop, for example with Air Arabia (via Sharjah), Egyptair (via Cairo) and Aegean Airlines (via Athens). If a short travel time matters to you, a direct flight is usually the most convenient option. Connecting flights often give you more choice of departure times and airlines.
      On which days are there direct flights from Erbil to Istanbul?
      Direct flights from Erbil to Istanbul operate daily. The schedule may vary by season, so it is worth comparing several travel dates. If your preferred day has no direct service, nearby departure days or short connecting flights may be a good alternative.
      How many flights are there per day from Erbil to Istanbul?
      On the route from Erbil to Istanbul there are on average around 2 to 3 flights per day. The number of services can vary by day of the week and season. If you are flexible with your dates, it is worth comparing several departure days.
      How many flights per week are there from Erbil to Istanbul?
      On the route from Erbil to Istanbul there are around 17 to 18 flights per week. The number of services can vary depending on the season and day of the week. If you have flexibility, it is worth looking at several departure days to find the best option.
      When does the first flight from Erbil to Istanbul depart?
      The earliest direct flight from Erbil to Istanbul usually departs at 01:40. The exact departure time may vary by day of the week and airline. Early flights are particularly useful if you want to make the most of your arrival day in Istanbul.
      When does the last flight from Erbil to Istanbul depart?
      The last direct flight from Erbil to Istanbul usually departs at 20:30. Late flights can be convenient if you want to travel after work or in the evening. Do check whether it is a direct flight, as a connecting service could push the arrival time significantly later.

      Discover more flights around Erbil and Istanbul

      Departure airport Airport Erbil (EBL)
      Departure country Flights from Iraq
      Arrival airport Airport Istanbul (IST)
      Destination country Flights to Turkey
      Departure country - Arrival airport Iraq - Istanbul
      Departure airport - Destination country Erbil - Turkey
      Alternative flights to Istanbul
      Popular destinations for onward travel
      Flight destinations with a similar price