Updated July 2026
Turkish Airlines operates direct flights from Dublin Airport to Istanbul Airport (IST). At approximately 4.5–5 hours, this is one of the shorter direct long-haul routes from Dublin. Important: Irish passport holders require a Turkish e-Visa before boarding — apply online at evisa.gov.tr in advance. Note that Istanbul has two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side, and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) on the Asian side — Dublin flights use IST only. Use the live search below to compare current fares, then check the route guide for airline and visa details.
Turkish Airlines is the only carrier operating a direct Dublin–Istanbul Airport (IST) service. The airline operates with wide-body Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft on the route. Turkish Airlines has one of the world's largest route networks, flying to over 300 destinations from its Istanbul hub. IST is the new Istanbul Airport, opened in 2019 on the European side of the city — significantly larger and further from the centre than the previous Ataturk Airport, which is now closed to commercial traffic.
The direct flight time is approximately 4.5–5 hours from Dublin to Istanbul — notably shorter than routes to the Middle East or India. The return leg is around 5.5 hours. An important practical note: Istanbul has two airports. Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side and handles all long-haul international flights including Dublin services. Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) is on the Asian side, serves mainly budget carriers on shorter routes, and is approximately 50 km from the city — much harder to reach.
Fares are cheapest in January–February and October–November. Summer (June–August) is peak tourist season for Istanbul. Christmas and New Year also command premium fares. Turkish Airlines frequently runs promotional fares on its website — worth checking directly. Indirect itineraries via London, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt can occasionally undercut Turkish Airlines on price, though total journey time will be 3–5 hours longer.
Irish passport holders need a Turkish e-Visa before boarding. The e-Visa must be obtained online through the official Turkish government portal (evisa.gov.tr) — it cannot be obtained at the airport. The cost is approximately $60 USD, and processing typically takes a few minutes to 24 hours. An e-Visa allows single or multiple entry, is valid for 180 days from issue, and permits stays of up to 30 days per visit. Do not use third-party e-Visa websites that charge significantly inflated fees.
Yes. Turkish Airlines operates direct flights from Dublin Airport (DUB) to Istanbul Airport (IST). The flight is approximately 4.5 to 5 hours — one of the shorter direct long-haul routes from Dublin.
Yes. Irish passport holders must obtain a Turkish e-Visa before boarding. Apply at the official Turkish government portal evisa.gov.tr in advance. The cost is approximately $60 USD and processing typically takes minutes to 24 hours. Do not use unofficial third-party e-Visa services.
Dublin flights arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST), located on the European side of the city. Do not confuse this with Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), which is on the Asian side approximately 50 km away. Always confirm your airport when booking ground transport.
The M11 Metro line connects Istanbul Airport directly to Gayrettepe in approximately 40 minutes. Purchase an Istanbulkart at the airport — it works on all Istanbul public transport. Taxis are available but much more expensive. The Marmaray suburban rail connects to both the European and Asian sides.
January–February and October–November are typically the cheapest months. June–August is peak tourist season in Istanbul. Christmas and New Year see the highest fares. Turkish Airlines frequently runs promotional fares directly on their website.
Yes. Turkish Airlines has one of the widest global route networks — over 300 destinations from IST. It is a particularly strong hub for travel to Central Asia, East Africa, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and the Balkans, often with more convenient connections than European hubs.
Istanbul Airport (IST) is approximately 40 km northwest of central Istanbul. The M11 Metro line makes the journey in about 40 minutes. Without the Metro, the road journey can take 60–90 minutes in traffic. The previous main airport (Ataturk) is now closed to commercial flights.
Turkish Airlines Economy fares on the DUB–IST route include one checked bag of 23 kg and a cabin bag up to 8 kg. Business Class includes two checked bags at 32 kg each. Turkish Airlines' 'Economy Promotional' fares may include no checked bag — always verify at booking. Turkish Airlines also includes a complimentary meal service on all Dublin to Istanbul flights, which sets it apart from many budget or hybrid carriers.
Yes. Istanbul Airport (IST) has a transit hotel called the 'IST Airport Hotel' accessible airside for passengers with layovers of 6 hours or more. Turkish Airlines also operates a dedicated transit lounge (Turkish Airlines Lounge at IST) for eligible passengers. For longer layovers, some passengers choose to exit the airport and stay in a nearby Istanbul hotel — the M11 Metro makes this practical for layovers of 12+ hours, though remember to factor in the 40-minute journey each way.
Yes. Turkish Airlines' Istanbul hub (IST) is particularly well-positioned for travel to Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and the Middle East — routes that are poorly served or very expensive from European hubs. Turkish Airlines flies to Almaty, Baku, Tbilisi, Yerevan, Tashkent, Bishkek, Astana, and many other regional cities, typically with better frequency and pricing than alternatives routed through Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam.