Flying from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 3 hours 31 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct flight from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which is the same as Madinah (the location of Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport).
With 42 weekly flights between the two airports, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 01:35. If you prefer to get more out of your day before flying, the latest flight from MED to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 20:40.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from MED to Istanbul.
Travelling over a peak time such as July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
You can book a direct flight from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul that lands at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Pick from a variety of carriers that offer direct flights from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul. Reserve your trip with one of these:
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from MED to Istanbul. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing the departures. Break up the journey at one of these popular options:
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Esenboga International Airport (ESB)
You won't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you hold a passport from Saudi Arabia and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements are subject to changes. So before organising your cheap tickets from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the latest rules.
MED is around 23 kilometres from central Madinah. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be approximately 49 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays near MED:
How to find the cheapest flights from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (MED) to Istanbul
RM354 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul. A return flight starts from RM699. These fares may change depending on availability.
Book 9 months before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from MED to Istanbul.
The cheapest month for tickets from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul is May. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest travel date.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you time checking for cheap tickets from MED to Istanbul every day.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
Travelling on public transport takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Once your flight from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul has arrived, you can reach the city centre in around 57 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from MED to Istanbul, settle in at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month for flights from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul. To skip the crowds, head to Istanbul in February when things are quieter.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your flights from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from MED to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just two of the major attractions to put on your Istanbul travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Istanbul and explore the city on your own schedule. Easily compare options in one go to find the ideal ride after booking your hotel and cheap flights from Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport to Istanbul.