Istanbul to Balice (IST–KRK) — 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–KRK is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. LOT Polish Airlines and Turkish Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 745 miles in approximately 2h 15m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LO LOT Polish Airlines | 12 | 73H, 7M8, 7M9 | 2h15 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| TK Turkish Airlines | 8 | 73J, 7M9 | 2h15 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Balice from Istanbul
| Metric | IST→KRK | BOJ→KRK | VAR→KRK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from IST | – | 109 mi | 143 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 20 | 7 | 3 |
| Flight time | 2h 15m | 1h 50m | 1h 45m |
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · KRK: CEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 5:00 PM in Balice.
Turkish passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Poland. Apply at the Polish embassy or VFS Global center in Turkey. The visa allows stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen area. Required documents include passport photos, bank statements, flight bookings, hotel reservations, and travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000. The fee is EUR 80 for adults. Processing takes around 15 business days. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen area.
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–KRK Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to KRK
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK) are connected by nonstop service from LOT Polish Airlines and Turkish Airlines. With 20 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
IST to KRK Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to KRK is about 2 hours 15 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 745 miles (1,199 km). There are approximately 20 weekly flights outbound and 25 return, totaling 45 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Varna, Bucharest Henri Coandă and Sofia. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Burgas (BOJ) and Varna (VAR).