Flying from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport (KEF): What you need to know
Istanbul Airport (IST) is Istanbul's main airport. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport (KEF) departing from here.
The average duration of a direct Istanbul to Keflavik Airport flight is 5 hours 55 minutes.
The timezone in Reykjavik is UTC+0, which is three hours behind Istanbul. Keflavik Airport is located in Reykjavik.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are tried-and-true travel tips. Be at the airport with enough time to catch your flight from Istanbul to KEF.
Flying over a peak time like August? Public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
You can take a direct flight from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport (KEF) out of Istanbul Airport (IST).
Icelandair is a well-known airline that operates direct flights from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport leaving from IST.
The top choice among passengers flying between IST and KEF is Flugfélag Íslands.
We make it a piece of cake to find cheap flights from Istanbul to KEF that include a stopover. To explore all the options departing from Istanbul Airport (IST), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight with a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Popular stopovers between IST and KEF include:
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
IST is around 40 kilometers from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the center, it'll take 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to Istanbul Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Experience more along the way with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport. Here's where you can connect between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and KEF:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
Hamburg Airport (HAM)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Istanbul to SAW in around 1 hour 40 minutes. The terminal is roughly 48 kilometers away, and making the trip by car takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes.
Get your vacation started early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Istanbul to KEF flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
68% of all departures from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport meet their expected arrival time.
About Keflavik Airport (KEF)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near KEF:
Booking your vehicle around four weeks ahead of your Istanbul to Keflavik Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
Getting from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to central Reykjavik
From Keflavik Airport, central Reykjavik is around 48 kilometers away. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the city center by car.
When traveling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 55 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport (KEF)
AED 430 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport. Return flights start at AED 963. These prices can change based on demand and availability.
To snag cheap flights from Istanbul to KEF, book your plane ticket nine months ahead of your planned departure.
February is when you're most likely to find a bargain on a Istanbul to Keflavik Airport ticket. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Istanbul to KEF is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when prices go down.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport.
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport (KEF)
January is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport (KEF), while August is the most popular. Choose the best time to go to Reykjavik based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Istanbul to KEF plane ticket, consider what kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Reykjavik, with temperatures ranging from 8ºC (46ºF) to 15ºC (59ºF).
December sees temperatures of between -6ºC (21ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Reykjavik
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Reykjavik right here. Explore these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Istanbul to Keflavik Airport:
Your Reykjavik visit should come with a side of sightseeing. Top attractions you can't miss include The Northern Light Center, Harpa and Sun Voyager.
Explore more of Iceland
Akureyri is just one of the many places in Iceland waiting to be explored after you've experienced Reykjavik. Around 290 kilometers away to the northeast, its top attractions include Kjarnaskógur, Nordurslod - Into the Arctic and Regnbogastiginn.
Vestmannaeyjar is another well-known destination in Iceland and is around 137 kilometers southeast of Reykjavik. No trip is complete without a visit to Puffins of Westman Isles, Heimaey Island, Vestmanna Islands and Heimaklettur.