Istanbul to Valletta (IST–MLA) — 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–MLA is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. KM Malta Airlines and Turkish Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 855 miles in approximately 2h 35m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM KM Malta Airlines | 19 | 32N, 32Q | 2h35-2h40 | – | – | – |
| TK Turkish Airlines Also: 6E | 14 | 32B, 32Q | 2h30 | – | Star Alliance | 6E |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · MLA: CEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 5:00 PM in Valletta.
Turkish passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Malta. Apply at the Maltese Embassy in Ankara or through the VFS Global center. The short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) costs EUR 80 for adults and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Required documents include passport photos, travel insurance covering 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. A multi-entry Schengen visa issued by any Schengen country is valid for entering Malta. If your main destination is Malta, apply at the Maltese embassy. Malta is an EU member and part of the Schengen Area, so the standard Schengen rules apply.
Turkish Airlines operates direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Malta International Airport (MLA) in about 2 hours 45 minutes. Malta uses the euro (EUR), trading at roughly 38 TRY per EUR 1. Card payments work at most shops, restaurants, and hotels. Public buses connect all parts of the island: a single ride costs EUR 1.50 in winter and EUR 2 in summer via the Tallinja card. The ferry from Valletta to the Three Cities costs EUR 1.50. Malta is one of the most compact countries in Europe, and you can drive from one end to the other in about 45 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–MLA Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to MLA
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Malta International Airport (MLA) are connected by nonstop service from KM Malta Airlines and Turkish Airlines. With 47 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IST to MLA Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to MLA is about 2 hours 35 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 855 miles (1,375 km). There are approximately 47 weekly flights outbound and 52 return, totaling 99 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Athens Eleftherios Venizelos, Belgrade Nikola Tesla and Skopje. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.