Travelling from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to Istanbul: what you need to know
King Shaka International Airport is located in Durban. Following the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is one hour ahead of Durban.
To avoid rushing for your DUR to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing space. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for flight tickets from DUR to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
DUR is around 29 kilometres from central Durban. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to arrive, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a hotel close to DUR? If you've booked an early flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will get you from your pillow to the plane in no time:
86.29% of flights leaving King Shaka International Airport land at their destination on schedule. With its strong performance rating, you're unlikely to be delayed when flying out of DUR.
How to find the cheapest flights from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul flight is $527. The cheapest price for a return flight is $836. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from DUR to Istanbul if you book in advance. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
Finding cheap tickets from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul is easier if you're flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to access the best prices across the month and score an epic deal.
Locking in a cheap flight from DUR to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as a deal gets even better.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near IST:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car to explore Istanbul and beyond.
To get the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from DUR to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your DUR to Istanbul flight:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make picking up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your dates before booking your flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive during peak season, but prices are typically higher and major attractions can be busy. Go to Istanbul in low season for a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Search for cheap tickets from DUR 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 right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from King Shaka International Airport to Istanbul, explore our selection of hotels including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, top sights here include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another must-experience destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
