Cheap Islamabad to Istanbul Flight Ticket Price, Online Booking, Schedule, Status
The Islamabad to Istanbul flight ticket price starts from around Rs 95,000 one way. Istanbul is unusual among the routes from Pakistan in being both a genuine destination in its own right and the best European gateway available, and those two groups of passengers want different things from the same booking.
Islamabad to Istanbul flight ticket price: from around Rs 95,000 one way with Turkish Airlines and Rs 98,000 with PIA. If Istanbul is a connection rather than your destination, book the through fare to your final city instead, because Istanbul reaches more of Europe than any Gulf hub.
Islamabad to Istanbul ticket price by airline
Two airlines fly the sector direct. Whether the fare looks reasonable depends entirely on whether Istanbul is where you are going or where you are changing planes.
| Airline | Type | Flight time | Ticket price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | Full service, 30 kg | 6h 00m | From Rs 95,000 |
| PIA | Full service, 30 kg | 6h 00m | From Rs 98,000 |
| Qatar, via Doha | One stop | 10h + | From Rs 105,000 |
| Etihad, via Abu Dhabi | One stop | 11h + | From Rs 108,000 |
Indicative one way economy fares including typical taxes. Connecting options exist but add four hours or more to a sector that is already served non-stop by two airlines.
Turkey has become a genuine holiday destination from Pakistan
Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Turkish coast now draw substantial Pakistani leisure traffic, and this route has grown with it. For holiday travellers the direct six hour flight is the whole appeal, and the connecting options through the Gulf make little sense at a higher fare and four extra hours. If Istanbul is your destination, book direct and stop comparing.
For Europe, Istanbul beats the Gulf hubs on reach
This is the more useful point for a large share of passengers. Istanbul connects to more European cities than Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, and for Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and secondary cities it is frequently the only single ticket option from Pakistan. If you are heading to Oslo, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Milan or a smaller German city, price the Istanbul routing first rather than last.
The longer first leg is not a longer journey
Six hours to Istanbul against three to Dubai looks worse until you add the second leg. From Istanbul most of Europe is a two to four hour hop, whereas from the Gulf it is five to seven. Total journey times to Western Europe end up broadly similar, and to Eastern and Northern Europe the Istanbul routing is usually quicker.
Two different reasons to book this flight
What you should optimise for on this route depends entirely on which of these two passengers you are.
Istanbul as destination
Six hours direct, no connection, and a city that has become a mainstream Pakistani holiday choice. Book the non-stop and ignore the Gulf routings entirely.
Direct is clearly right.
Istanbul as connection
The widest European reach available from Pakistan on one ticket, particularly for Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and secondary cities the Gulf carriers do not serve.
Book the through fare.
30 kg either way
Both direct carriers include 30 kg in economy, which is generous and removes baggage as a deciding factor between them.
Compare on schedule instead.
Allow time at Istanbul
The airport is very large and transfer walks are long. Do not book the shortest legal connection, particularly with checked baggage.
Give yourself margin.
For Europe, price Istanbul before the Gulf, not after
Pakistani travellers check Dubai and Doha by habit and reach Istanbul last, if at all. For a large part of Europe the Istanbul routing is both quicker and cheaper, and for some cities it is the only single ticket option. Reversing the order you check saves real money.
Islamabad to Istanbul flight timings
Departures are weighted toward the evening and overnight, arriving into Istanbul in time for the morning European bank.
Overnight
Most commonDeparts late and arrives at Istanbul in the morning, which suits both onward European connections and a first day in the city.
Daytime
Fewer optionsBetter for holiday travellers who prefer not to fly overnight, but the schedule is thinner.
Connection time
2h to 4hThe usual transfer window at Istanbul. The airport is large, so allow more rather than less.
Return
Gains two hoursIstanbul is two hours behind Pakistan, so the return arrives later in the day than the flight time implies.
Flight time is around six hours. Istanbul is two hours behind Pakistan, so a 9:00 PM departure from Islamabad arrives about 1:00 AM local time.
Booking a Islamabad to Istanbul flight online
One decision shapes this booking: is Istanbul the destination or the connection?
- Decide whether you are stopping in Istanbul or passing through This determines whether you book the sector or a through fare to your final city.
- If connecting, price Istanbul against the Gulf hubs For Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and secondary cities it frequently wins outright.
- Book the through fare on one ticket As on every connecting route, two separate tickets leave the connection risk with you.
- Allow a generous transfer at Istanbul The airport is very large and the walk between gates can take longer than travellers expect.
- Check current entry requirements for Turkey Rules for Pakistani passport holders change, so confirm before booking rather than after.
Islamabad and Istanbul airports
Islamabad (ISB)
- Airport
- Islamabad International Airport
- Terminal
- International departures
- Arrive before
- Three hours ahead
- Note
- Evening departures are the busiest window on this route
Istanbul (IST)
- Airport
- Istanbul Airport
- Size
- Very large, long transfer walks
- Onward
- Metro and airport shuttles into the city
- Note
- If connecting onward to Europe, allow more transfer time than the minimum shown
Baggage allowance on Islamabad to Istanbul
| Airline | Checked | Cabin | Included in fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | 30 kg | 8 kg | Yes |
| PIA | 30 kg | 7 kg | Yes |
Typical economy figures that differ by fare type and booking class. Always confirm the allowance shown on your own booking before travelling.
Both direct carriers include 30 kg
Baggage does not separate the two options on this route, so decide on schedule, fare and where you are connecting instead. Turkish allows a slightly larger cabin bag at 8 kg.
Check the allowance on your onward European leg
On a through ticket the allowance normally carries across, but it is worth confirming if you are moving rather than visiting.
Islamabad to Istanbul flight FAQs
What is the Islamabad to Istanbul flight ticket price?
From around Rs 95,000 one way with Turkish Airlines and Rs 98,000 with PIA. Connecting options through the Gulf cost more and add four hours or more.
How long is the flight from Islamabad to Istanbul?
About six hours non-stop. Istanbul is two hours behind Pakistan.
Is Istanbul a good connection for Europe?
It is the best available from Pakistan for reach. Istanbul connects to more European cities than Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, and for Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and secondary cities it is frequently the only single ticket option.
Is the six hour flight to Istanbul longer than going via Dubai?
The first leg is longer, but the second is much shorter. From Istanbul most of Europe is two to four hours away against five to seven from the Gulf, so total journey times end up similar to Western Europe and shorter to Eastern and Northern Europe.
Which airlines fly Islamabad to Istanbul direct?
Turkish Airlines and PIA. Both include 30 kg checked baggage in economy.
Do I need a visa for Turkey?
Requirements for Pakistani passport holders change, so confirm the current position before booking rather than relying on older guidance.
Related routes and airlines
Other European routes
Airlines on this route
Book your Islamabad to Istanbul flight
Compare every airline on the route with live fares, and no booking fee added to the published price.
Compare fares now