Istanbul to Addis Ababa (IST–ADD) — 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.
IST–ADD is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 2,315 miles in approximately 5h 20m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ET Ethiopian Airlines | 14 | 332, 7M8 | 5h20 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| TK Turkish Airlines Also: AT | 7 | 7M9 | 5h20 | – | Star Alliance | AT |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · ADD: EAT
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 6:00 PM in Addis Ababa.
Turkish passport holders need a visa to enter Ethiopia. The easiest option is the e-visa, available at evisa.gov.et. The tourist e-visa costs $82 for 30 days (single entry) or $102 for 90 days. Processing takes up to 3 working days. A visa on arrival is also available at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) for $82 (30 days), payable in cash (USD) or by card. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.
At Bole Airport, the visa-on-arrival counter is before immigration and clearly marked. Applying online saves time during busy arrival periods. The e-visa is accepted only at Bole Airport, not at land borders. For overland entry, obtain the visa at an Ethiopian embassy before travel. Turkey and Ethiopia have strong economic ties, with Turkish companies active in manufacturing and construction across the country.
Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Addis Ababa (ADD) run about 6 hours on Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines operates one of Africa's largest hub networks from ADD, making it a common connection point. Ethiopia uses the Ethiopian birr (ETB), trading at roughly 3.6 ETB per TRY 1. ATMs in Addis Ababa dispense birr. Card payments work at hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is essential outside the capital. Ethiopia runs on its own calendar (13 months) and clock system (6 AM is called 12 o'clock), which is useful to know when confirming appointments.
Istanbul Metro M11 Gayrettepe–İstanbul Havalimanı line connects the airport to the broader metro network; from Gayrettepe (Mecidiyeköy/Levent area) the journey is about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart). The line runs roughly 5am to midnight.Havaist express buses serve Taksim, Kadıköy, and other major hubs (₺50–80, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis use a meter; expect ₺400–600 from Taksim or Sultanahmet. The airport is 35km northwest of the city; traffic on the O-7 motorway can be severe during peak hours.
IST–ADD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to ADD
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) are connected by nonstop service from Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines. With 28 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IST to ADD Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to ADD is about 5 hours 20 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 2,315 miles (3,725 km). There are approximately 28 weekly flights outbound and 22 return, totaling 50 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Cairo, King Abdulaziz and Queen Alia. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.