Houston to Pendik, Istanbul (HOU–SAW) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

US passport holders need an eVisa to enter Turkey. Apply at evisa.gov.tr. The single-entry eVisa costs $51.50, allows stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and is approved instantly in most cases. Passport must be valid for at least 5 months beyond the date of entry. Print the eVisa or save it on your phone. At Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), Antalya (AYT), or any Turkish airport, show your eVisa at the immigration counter.

Turkey spans Europe and Asia, with Istanbul straddling the Bosphorus. Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and hot air balloon flights, the travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and the Turquoise Coast (Antalya to Fethiye) are the main destinations beyond Istanbul. Turkish Airlines' hub at IST connects to 340+ destinations, making Istanbul a natural stopover on routes between Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Direct flights from New York JFK to Istanbul run about 10 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines and Delta. Chicago, Washington Dulles, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Boston also have nonstop service on Turkish Airlines. Turkey uses the Turkish lira (TRY), trading at roughly 36 TRY per $1. Card payments work widely. The Istanbulkart works on Istanbul's metro, tram, bus, ferry, and funicular at TRY 17.71 ($0.49) per ride with free transfers within 2 hours. Istanbul Airport's Havaist bus reaches Taksim in about 90 minutes for TRY 180 ($5). Restaurant meals cost TRY 200 to TRY 500 ($5.55 to $13.90). A full Turkish breakfast (kahvalti) at a neighborhood lokanta runs TRY 150 to TRY 300 ($4.15 to $8.30).