Istanbul to Bologna (IST–BLQ) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
IST–BLQ is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 909 miles in approximately 2h 35m. Beyond nonstop, 60 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines Also: PK, TG | 21 | 32Q | 2h35-2h40 | – | Star Alliance | PK, TG |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Bologna from Istanbul
| Metric | IST→BLQ | SAW→BLQ |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from IST | – | 40 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 49 | 7 |
| Flight time | 2h 35m | 2h 45m |
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · BLQ: CEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 5:00 PM in Bologna.
Turkish passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Italy. Apply at the Italian Embassy in Ankara, the consulate in Istanbul, or through a VFS Global center. The short-stay visa costs EUR 80 (about TRY 2,960) and allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period across the Schengen area. Required documents include a completed application form, passport photos, travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000, proof of accommodation, a return ticket, and bank statements. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen area. Processing takes 10 to 15 working days.
Italy is one of the most popular Schengen visa destinations for Turkish nationals. If Italy is your main destination, apply at the Italian consulate. Multi-entry visas valid for 1 to 5 years are issued to travelers with a clean Schengen history. The large Turkish community in Italy (concentrated in Rome and Milan) means family visit applications are common. A valid multi-entry Schengen visa from any member state covers Italy as well.
Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) run about 2 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines, ITA Airways, and Pegasus. Istanbul to Milan Malpensa (MXP) runs about 2 hours 45 minutes. Venice (VCE), Naples (NAP), and Bologna (BLQ) also have direct connections. Italy uses the euro (EUR), trading at roughly 37 TRY per EUR 1. Card payments work at most businesses. Rome Metro costs EUR 1.50 per single ride. High-speed Frecciarossa trains connect Rome to Milan in 2 hours 55 minutes (EUR 30 to EUR 90), Rome to Naples in 1 hour 10 minutes (EUR 20 to EUR 50), and Rome to Florence in 1 hour 30 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–BLQ Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to BLQ
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines. With 49 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IST to BLQ Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to BLQ ranges from 2 hours 35 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes. The route covers a distance of 909 miles (1,463 km). There are approximately 49 weekly flights outbound and 35 return, totaling 84 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
60 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 4 hours via CRA. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Pendik, Istanbul (SAW).