$89 Cheap Flights from Istanbul (IST) to Ankara (ESB)

View $89 flight on Tue, Oct 14, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Ankara (ESB-Esenboga)

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Cheap Flights from Istanbul to Ankara (IST-ESB)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $89 for one-way flights and $189 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Pegasus Airlines
Tue, Feb 10 - Tue, Feb 24
IST
Istanbul
ESB
Ankara
$189 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$189
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Pegasus Airlines flight, departing Tue, Feb 10 from Istanbul to Ankara, returning Tue, Feb 24, priced at $189 found 1 day ago
Turkish Airlines
Sun, Aug 3 - Sun, Aug 10
IST
Istanbul
ESB
Ankara
$540 Roundtrip, just found
$540
Roundtrip
just found
Select Turkish Airlines flight, departing Sun, Aug 3 from Istanbul to Ankara, returning Sun, Aug 10, priced at $540 just found

Find the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul (IST) to Ankara (ESB)

January is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $47 - $540 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Ankara

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Esenboga ESB. Cheapest option available. Average driving time to city center is 23 minutes. Flights from $67
ESB
Esenboga
Cheapest
Average driving time to city center23 min
Flights from $67
Flights from Istanbul (SAW) to Ankara (ESB)
Origin airport
Sabiha Gokcen Intl.
Destination airport
Esenboga
Airlines serving
Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines
Roundtrip price
$61
Distance
200 mi
Average flight time
1 hour 10 mins

Istanbul to Ankara Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Istanbul to Ankara

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Istanbul to Ankara are during the month of February. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Ankara with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Istanbul to Ankara

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Istanbul to Ankara: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Istanbul to Ankara

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Istanbul to Ankara in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $89 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Istanbul to Ankara flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Istanbul to Ankara airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB) cost?
Grab cheap return flights starting at $314 from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB). This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines flight leaving IST on July 25 2025 and touching down at ESB. The price was last updated on July 23 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from IST to ESB?
The cheapest flights from IST to ESB are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB)?
You can't fly nonstop to Esenboga Airport (ESB) from Istanbul (IST). However, you can easily reach Ankara without any layovers by departing from Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST).
What is the cheapest airline that flies from IST to ESB?
Take off from IST to ESB with Turkish Airlines. This carrier currently offers the cheapest one-way fare on this route, starting from $282. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from IST on September 9 2025. Prices were last updated on July 23 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB)?
You'll have to book a flight with a layover if you're traveling from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB). Direct flights don't operate daily on this route. However, simply filter your search to include one or two stops to find the best option for your trip.
What day of the week has the most flights from IST to ESB?
You'll usually find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays tend to be the busiest.* However this can change from season to season and during public holidays or peak travel times.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What airline has the least delays from IST to ESB?
Consider traveling with Turkish Airlines if you'd like to go straight from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB) without any holdups. This airline has the best track record for punctuality, with an on-time performance of 82%. Want real-time updates? You can keep an eye on your flight status using the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB)?
Choose a flight from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk of cancellations and delays. Departures later than this have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB) last-minute?
Booking your plane ticket from IST to ESB just before your trip is generally more expensive. But if you're flexible with your itinerary, you could land a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book an IST to ESB flight and hotel package?
Securing an IST to ESB flight and hotel package is generally cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels in one place. Choose from our wide range of accommodations and then add car rentals, activities and flights to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Istanbul (IST) to Esenboga Airport (ESB)?
Typically, you can cancel or modify your IST to ESB flight. However, there may be additional fees, especially if your booking was made more than 24 hours ago. Check your itinerary for the airline's fees and guidelines on flight changes, or if you want further information, go to our Customer Service portal.

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Istanbul nearby Airports

Istanbul

Sabiha Gokcen Intl. to Ankara
$61.00
*Available to One Key members.