Bangkok to Istanbul (BKK–IST) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
BKK–IST is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines and Thai Airways lead the route. The flight covers 4,669 miles in approximately 9h 58m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines | 23 | 333, 359, 77X | 9h40-10h12 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| TG Thai Airways | 19 | 359, 789 | 9h45-10h | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
BKK: +07 · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Bangkok, it's 2:00 PM in Istanbul.
Thai passport holders enter Turkey visa-free for up to 30 days. No advance application or eVisa is needed. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. At Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), or Antalya (AYT), you go to the immigration counter and receive a stamp. The process rarely takes more than a few minutes.
The 30-day stay cannot be extended from within Turkey for tourism purposes. If you want to stay longer, apply for a short-term residence permit through e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr before the 30 days expire. For trips exceeding 30 days planned in advance, consider applying for an eVisa at evisa.gov.tr for a 30-day single-entry authorization or a standard visa at the Turkish Embassy in Bangkok.
Direct flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Istanbul run about 10 hours on Turkish Airlines and Thai Airways. Istanbul is a major connecting hub for onward flights to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Turkey uses the Turkish lira (TRY), trading at roughly 1.0 TRY per THB 1 (roughly at parity). ATMs are everywhere. Card payments work at most shops and restaurants. The Istanbulkart works on all Istanbul transit (metro, bus, ferry, tram) at TRY 17.70 per trip (about THB 18). Antalya's tram runs the full coastal strip for TRY 9.90.
Airport Rail Link (ARL) runs from Phaya Thai station to Suvarnabhumi in 30 minutes (฿45 City Line; ฿90–130 Express, though Express service is often suspended). Trains run 6am to midnight. Transfer at Makkasan for MRT or Phaya Thai for BTS Skytrain.Metered taxis cost ฿250–400 from central Bangkok plus expressway tolls (฿50–75); expect 40–90 minutes depending on traffic. Avoid non-metered taxis; insist on the meter. Ride-share apps (Grab) are widely used and typically cost ฿200–350.
M11 Metro to Gayrettepe takes about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart) with connections to M2 (Taksim) and M7. Runs from 5am to midnight. The metro bypasses O-7 motorway traffic, which is frequently heavy into the city.Havaist buses serve major destinations including Taksim, Kadıköy (European and Asian sides), and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (₺50–80). Taxis from arrivals are metered; insist on the meter. Journey to Sultanahmet or Taksim costs ₺400–700 depending on traffic. Rental cars available. Hotel shuttles common for business hotels near the city.
The new airport sits 35km from central Istanbul on the European side, slightly inland and exposed to Black Sea weather systems. Winters (December–March) are cold (0–8°C) with fog, rain, and occasional snow. Snow on the exposed plateau is more likely than in the city. Ice on taxiways causes delays.
Summers are warm (25–32°C) with dry, reliable weather. Spring and fall bring heavy rain and strong northerly winds (Poyraz) that can affect smaller aircraft. Fog is the primary low-season disruption risk. The airport's elevated position makes it slightly windier than the Atatürk site it replaced.
BKK–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from BKK to IST
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines and Thai Airways. With 42 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
BKK to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from BKK to IST is about 9 hours 58 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 4,669 miles (7,514 km). There are approximately 42 weekly flights outbound and 41 return, totaling 83 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Cairo, Dubai and Rajiv Gandhi. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.