Travelling from Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Around 2 hours 44 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul.
Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of Munich, where Franz Josef Strauss Airport is located. Istanbul operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
With 203 weekly flights between the two airports, Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 07:00. If you prefer to get more out of your day before you fly, the last departure from MUC to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 22:20.
Leave plenty of time to get on your flight from MUC to Istanbul. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as July, it's wise to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
Direct flights from Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC) to Istanbul are available for booking. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is where you'll be touching down.
Pick from a variety of carriers that operate direct flights from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul. Head off on your trip with any of these:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and maybe even explore a different city. When searching for flights from MUC to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Pristina International Airport (PRN)
Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU)
You don't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you hold a passport from Germany and are travelling for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements are subject to changes. So before locking in your cheap tickets from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most up-to-date information.
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Munich, MUC can be reached in approximately 33 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey on public transport will take roughly 40 minutes.
Need a handy hotel close to MUC? If you're catching an early flight from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
How to find the cheapest flights from Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC) to Istanbul
$82 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul. Return flights start from $137. These fares can change depending on availability and demand.
To pick up cheap tickets from MUC to Istanbul, book your trip 8 months before your departure.
Plan your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from MUC to Istanbul. You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped. We'll tell you the moment the price changes.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul. Enter your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is about 50 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel close to IST if you're taking a late flight from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is located around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 57 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from MUC to Istanbul:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul. To steer clear of the crowds, head for Istanbul in February when things are quieter.
Book your flight from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul for August to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Search for cheap flights from MUC to Istanbul in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are leading attractions which should be on every Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Franz Josef Strauss Airport to Istanbul to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need on car rentals in Istanbul, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.