Dublin to Istanbul (DUB–IST) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Irish passport holders need an eVisa to enter Turkey. Apply at evisa.gov.tr before travel. The single-entry eVisa costs $60 (or equivalent in EUR), allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and is processed instantly or within minutes. Multiple-entry is standard. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the entry date with at least one blank page. No visa on arrival option exists; the eVisa must be obtained before you reach the airport.

The eVisa application requires a passport number, travel dates, and payment by credit/debit card. No supporting documents, invitation letters, or hotel bookings are needed. Print the eVisa or save it on your phone. At Turkish immigration, the eVisa is verified electronically, so paper is a backup. Extensions beyond 90 days require applying at the local Goc Idaresi (Migration Management) office before the visa expires, with a fee of about TRY 1,500 (roughly $45).

Direct flights from Dublin to Istanbul run about 4 hours on Turkish Airlines and Aer Lingus. Antalya and Dalaman have seasonal charter service. Turkey uses the Turkish lira (TRY), trading at roughly 34 TRY per $1 with frequent fluctuation. Euros and dollars are accepted at hotels and tourist shops but at poor rates; use ATMs for lira. No mandatory vaccinations for Irish arrivals. Istanbul has two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) on the Asian side. IST is the main hub.

Dublin Bus route 747 (Airlink) runs from the city centre (O'Connell Street) to the airport in 30–50 minutes, costing €7 one-way or €12 return. DART rail does not serve the airport directly; the nearest station requires a bus connection. Ride-shares from the city centre typically cost €20–35 depending on traffic.

The M50 and M1 motorways feed into the airport; short-term parking in Terminal 1 or 2 costs from €4/30 min, while long-stay lots (P3/P4) are significantly cheaper for multi-day trips. Allow extra time during morning and evening rush hours on the M50.

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.