Flying from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Esenboga International Airport (ESB): what you need to know
On average, direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport take 1 hour 13 minutes. Ankara and Istanbul share the same timezone (UTC+3), meaning you won't have to change your watch after you arrive.
Every week, there are 298 flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport. To take off early, opt for the 00:55 Turkish Airlines flight. If you'd rather make the most of your day before flying, the latest flight from IST to ESB is 23:55 with Turkish Airlines.
Flying during a peak month like August? School holidays and other high seasons can result in longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to take in the sights in Ankara — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if time allows.
If you'd like a stopover for your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' and explore your options. Here are the most popular stopovers between IST and ESB:
Ercan Airport
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport
Antalya Airport
Once you've booked your cheap ticket from IST to ESB, get your travel documents in order. A visa or passport isn't necessary as you're traveling within Türkiye (Turkey). As long as you have another form of identification, like a driver's license or an ID card, you're all set.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
AED 147 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport. A return flight starts at AED 292. These fares may change based on availability.
Score cheap flight tickets from IST to ESB by booking at least 8 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
Plan your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport. If you're flexible on when you fly, try out the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest airfare across every month.
Getting a cheap ticket from IST to ESB is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as there's a better deal.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport. Simply enter your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is around 48 kilometers from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the center, it'll take you 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Taking an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these stays close to IST:
Arriving at Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport. Stay at one of these accommodation options near ESB instead:
Getting from Esenboga International Airport (ESB) to central Ankara
From Esenboga International Airport, Ankara is approximately 27 kilometers away. It takes around 36 minutes to reach the center driving.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 4 minutes to get there using public transport.
When to fly to Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
July is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport. To skip the crowds, go to Ankara in April.
The warmest month in Ankara is August, with temperatures ranging between 14ºC and 35ºC. Lock in your flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Esenboga International Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
If you like traveling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from IST to ESB in January. Average temperatures are between -6ºC and 9ºC then.
More about Ankara
After locking in your flights from IST to ESB, you'll want to find a hotel in Ankara. Make one of these options your base for exploring this exciting city:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii), Genclik Park and Haci Bayram Mosque (Haci Bayram Camii) are attractions you won't want to skip in Ankara.
Complete your Ankara trip with hotels and a car rental
You've got your cheap ticket to Esenboga International Airport — next up is finding a great place to stay, and maybe even your own set of wheels. We've compared prices across hundreds of companies to bring you the top hotels and car rental deals in Ankara.