How to get there
How to Fly to Istanbul from North America: Complete Travel Guide for US and Canadian Visitors
How to get there
How to Fly to Istanbul from North America: Complete Travel Guide for US and Canadian Visitors
Updated Sun, Jan 18, 2026
Direct flights from major US and Canadian cities to Istanbul take 10-12 hours. Turkish Airlines offers the most options with daily departures.
Overview
Ease of getting there
Istanbul serves as a major international gateway with direct flights from key North American cities. Turkish Airlines dominates routes from the US and Canada, offering daily departures from New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, and Toronto to Istanbul Airport. United, Delta, and Air Canada provide additional options with connections through European hubs like Amsterdam or Frankfurt. Flight times range from 10-12 hours direct or 14-16 hours with connections. The modern Istanbul Airport handles most international traffic, replacing the older Atatürk Airport. US and Canadian citizens need valid passports and can obtain e-visas online before travel.
Customs and immigration
Turkey uses automated passport gates for US and Canadian citizens with biometric passports, significantly reducing wait times. Immigration processing typically takes 15-30 minutes during peak hours. Customs operates on green and red channel system with random checks. Duty-free allowances include standard alcohol and tobacco limits. Most travelers clear immigration and customs within 45 minutes of landing. E-visa approval appears automatically in the system upon passport scan.
Flights from the US / Canada
Turkish Airlines provides direct flights from New York JFK, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto to Istanbul Airport with daily service. United Airlines operates seasonal direct routes from Newark and San Francisco. Other carriers like Delta, Air Canada, and European airlines offer one-stop connections through Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, or London. Peak summer season sees increased frequency and additional seasonal routes from cities like Boston and Montreal.
From airport to city center
Istanbul Airport connects to the city center via multiple transport options. The Airport Express M11 metro line reaches Gayrettepe in 37 minutes, connecting to other metro lines. HAVAIST airport buses serve major districts like Taksim, Sultanahmet, and Kadıköy with 30-60 minute journey times. Taxis cost 150-200 Turkish Lira to central areas and take 45-75 minutes depending on traffic. Private transfers and ride-sharing apps like BiTaksi operate from designated airport zones.
Explore more in Istanbul
Go.
Plan flexibly, experience fully. Brainstorm, plan, and explore your best trips yet with Kumquat.
Brainstorm ideas, plan your way, then navigate on the ground with personalized recommendations that adapt in real time.
categories
© 2024-2026 Eten en Drinken Software Ltd Co