Travelling from Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul is 1 hour 40 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is one hour ahead of Cluj-Napoca, where Cluj-Napoca International Airport is located.
With eight weekly departures between the two airports, Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Hop on Turkish Airlines's 09:50 flight to get your trip from CLJ to IST underway.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your CLJ to Istanbul flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're heading away during a bank holiday or another peak period, allow extra time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.
Direct Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul tickets are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is where you'll complete your journey.
Book your favourite seat with Turkish Airlines. This well-known airline offers direct flights from Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even tick a new city off your list. When searching for plane tickets from CLJ to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW)
Located around 5 kilometres from central Cluj-Napoca, CLJ can be reached in about 10 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near CLJ. Whether you're taking an early flight from Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are worth a look:
72.0% of flights departing from Cluj-Napoca International Airport reach their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ) to Istanbul
P2,461 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul flight. A round-trip plane ticket right now is P4,740. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
Book two months before you travel. Research on pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from CLJ to Istanbul.
The best month for finding cheap Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates offering the lowest fares.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from CLJ to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre on public transport typically takes 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Travel at your own speed with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from CLJ to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul has landed, you can make your way to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to SAW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your CLJ to Istanbul flight:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car quick and easy. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Get first dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Plan your trip to Istanbul in high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices may be higher. Alternatively, book flights from Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
Before booking a Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from CLJ to Istanbul in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Cluj-Napoca International Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are highlights which should be on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're ready to explore another great destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among the biggest draws.