Istanbul to Basra (IST–BSR) — 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.
Last scheduled nonstop: Mar 2026.
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–BSR had nonstop service from Iraqi Airways, last on the schedule in March 2026. There's no nonstop on it right now, so today you'd fly it with one stop. The connecting options below are sorted by layover. Nonstop, it's about 1,288 miles in 3h 25m.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IA Iraqi Airways | 0 | – | – | – | – | – |
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Basra from Istanbul
| Metric | IST→BSR | SAW→BSR |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from IST | – | 40 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | – | 1 |
| Weekly flights | – | – |
| Flight time | 3h 25m | 3h 20m |
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · BSR: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 6:00 PM in Basra.
Turkish passport holders enter Iraq visa-free for short-term stays. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. At Baghdad International Airport (BGW), Basra (BSR), or Najaf (NJF), you receive a stamp at immigration. A return or onward ticket may be requested. Turkey and Iraq share a long land border, and the Habur-Ibrahim Khalil crossing (between Sirnak and Zakho) is one of the busiest commercial border crossings in the region.
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) operates its own visa system alongside the federal Iraqi system. Turkish nationals enter the KRI visa-free at Erbil (EBL) and Sulaymaniyah (ISU) airports and at the Habur land crossing. The KRI is a popular destination for Turkish business travelers and tourists, with direct flights and drive times of 4 to 6 hours from southeastern Turkish cities. Turkish lira is informally accepted in border towns, though the Iraqi dinar is the official currency everywhere.
Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Erbil (EBL) run about 2 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines and Pegasus. Istanbul to Baghdad (BGW) runs about 2 hours 45 minutes. Ankara, Antalya, and Gaziantep also have direct service to Iraqi cities. Iraq uses the Iraqi dinar (IQD), trading at roughly 38 IQD per TRY 1. ATMs dispense dinars in Erbil and Baghdad. Card payments work at hotels and larger businesses. Cash is essential for daily transactions. Shared taxis between Iraqi cities cost IQD 10,000 to IQD 25,000 (TRY 260 to TRY 660).
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–BSR Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to BSR
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Basra International Airport (BSR) had nonstop service from Iraqi Airways, last on the schedule in March 2026. The nonstop is dormant right now, so the way to fly it today is one connection, and the options above are sorted by layover.
IST to BSR Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to BSR is about 3 hours 25 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 1,288 miles (2,073 km).
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Queen Alia, Dubai and Hamad. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Pendik, Istanbul (SAW).