Istanbul to Beirut (IST–BEY) — 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–BEY is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines and Middle East Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 634 miles in approximately 1h 55m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines Also: LO | 44 | 32Q, 332, 359, 77X, 789 | 1h45-1h55 | – | Star Alliance | LO |
| ME Middle East Airlines | 34 | 320, 32Q, 359 | 1h50-1h55 | – | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Beirut from Istanbul
| Metric | IST→BEY | SAW→BEY |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from IST | – | 40 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 85 | 28 |
| Flight time | 1h 55m | 1h 45m |
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · BEY: EEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 6:00 PM in Beirut.
Turkish passport holders enter Lebanon visa-free for up to 90 days. No advance application is needed. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. You receive a stamp at immigration. Lebanon grants visa-free entry to Turkish nationals at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) and at land borders. A return or onward ticket may be requested.
At Beirut airport, immigration is a stamp in your passport after a brief check. The 90-day allowance covers tourism and short business visits. If your passport contains an Israeli stamp or visa, entry to Lebanon will be denied. Turkey and Lebanon share a long land border, and overland crossings via Hatay Province are an option for regional travel.
Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines operate direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Beirut in about 2 hours. Middle East Airlines (MEA) also flies the route. Lebanon uses the Lebanese pound (LBP). US dollars are the de facto currency for most transactions including hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs dispense both LBP and USD. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and larger establishments. Service taxis (servees) are a cheap way to get around Beirut. The Beirut to Byblos coastal drive takes about 40 minutes.
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–BEY Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to BEY
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines and Middle East Airlines. With 85 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IST to BEY Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to BEY is about 1 hours 55 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 634 miles (1,020 km). There are approximately 85 weekly flights outbound and 76 return, totaling 161 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Antalya, Adnan Menderes and Athens Eleftherios Venizelos. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Pendik, Istanbul (SAW).