Rome to Istanbul (FCO–IST) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
FCO–IST is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 852 miles in approximately 2h 35m. Beyond nonstop, 137 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines Also: 6E, AZ, PK, TG, WY | 28 | 32Q, 77W, 789 | 2h35-2h45 | – | Star Alliance | 6E, AZ, PK, TG, WY |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Istanbul from Rome
| Metric | FCO→IST | NAP→IST |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from FCO | – | 123 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 133 | 18 |
| Flight time | 2h 35m | 2h 20m |
Travel Essentials
FCO: CEST · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Rome, it's 7:00 PM in Istanbul.
Italian passport holders enter Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No advance application or eVisa is needed. A passport or national ID card is accepted for entry. Passport must be valid for at least 5 months beyond the intended stay.
Leonardo Express non-stop train runs from Roma Termini to FCO in 32 minutes (€14, no stops). Regional trains (FL1 line) make stops including Trastevere, Ostiense, Tuscolana, and Tiburtina; slower (45–55 min) but cheaper (€8) and useful if you're not near Termini. Trains run every 15 minutes from Termini and every 30 minutes for regional services.Taxis from central Rome have a fixed fare: €50 (within the Aurelian Walls), €55–60 for outer neighborhoods. The fixed rate is mandatory; insist if the driver tries to use a meter. Ride-hail apps (Uber Black, itTaxi) are available but pricier than taxis on this route.
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.
FCO–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from FCO to IST
Rome–Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines. With 133 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
FCO to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from FCO to IST ranges from 2 hours 35 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes. The route covers a distance of 852 miles (1,371 km). There are approximately 133 weekly flights outbound and 126 return, totaling 259 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
137 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 7 hours via HHN. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Napoli (NAP).