Quick Flight Summary from Kabul to Istanbul
Key numbers to know before you book
- Direct flight duration 5 hour 30 min
- Arrival airports SAW / IST
Estimated Prices for Kabul to Istanbul Flights
Key Features of the Airlines
Information compiled by AI. For the most up-to-date information, contact the airline.
Transportation to Airport from Kabul City Center
Kabul Intl. Airport
If you travel by plane from Kabul, you need to reach Kabul International Airport (Hamid Karzai International Airport). From Kabul International Airport, you can travel to many destinations with many airlines. Turkish Airlines also organizes seven flights a week from Istanbul to Kabul. The journey from Kabul to Istanbul lasts 5 hours.
There is a time difference of 2 hours and 30 minutes between Kabul and Turkey. For example, when it is 10.30 am in Kabul, the clock may still show 08.00 am in Turkey. But Afghanistan does not apply day light saving time. Therefore, time difference with Kabul is 2 hours 30 minutes in winter and 1 hour 30 minutes in summer. When you travel from Kabul to Istanbul, it is useful to consider these differences.
There is still no advanced urban transportation network in Kabul. Due to the fact that the city is located in a mountainous area, the rail system does not exist in this area. Buses and taxis are the most commonly used means of transportation within the city. You can also choose to walk to the airport instead of driving. Obtaining a map of Kabul would help you not to encounter problem with urban transportation.
Bus
The bus is one of the most used vehicles in urban transportation in Kabul. Buses in the city are comfortable and modern. But the direction information and the numbers of the buses are in Pashtun. You can find out which buses go to Kabul International Airport if you would have a Pashtun dictionary with you a guide on this subject on your own.
Taxi
Visitors often prefer to take taxis for transportation in Kabul. Many of the taxi drivers know a little English. But just in case, you would write that you want to go to Kabul International Airport in local language on a paper and give it to the taxi driver.
Car Rental
You can rent a car to go to Kabul International Airport and get rid of the stress of catching the plane. With the car you will rent, you will not need to carry your heavy luggage between long distances on public transport vehicles.
Airport Information
Kabul International Airport, which connects Afghanistan's capital city Kabul to many points of the world, offers a more comfortable and enjoyable flight experience to its passengers with the renovation works. Improvements at the airport have resulted in the addition of a new international terminal and the old terminal is now being used for domestic flights.
Airline companies such as Turkish Airlines (THY), Emirates, Flydubai, Air India, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Ariana Afghan, Safi Airways, Kam Air, Mahan Air, SpiceJet, East Horizon Airlines and Iranian Aseman Airlines provides flights to Kabul. The airport of the city has free Wi-Fi, a duty free, currency exchange and ATM.
At the same time, you can eat at the restaurants in the terminal, and make benefit of the post office and car parking. It is not advised to have an alcoholic drink with you on your way to Kabul. It is a crime to have an alcoholic drink with you when you land here.
Transportation to Istanbul City Center from Airport
Sabiha Gökçen Intl. Airport
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located in Pendik, on the Anatolian Side of Istanbul. From the airport, you can get to the city center by metro, municipal bus, Havabus, public transport with a Marmaray transfer, taxi, car rental, or transfer service.
Metro- The airport is the terminus of the M4 Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen Airport metro line. The line takes about 50 minutes to get from the airport to Kadıköy.
- You can transfer to Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi station and to the Metrobus at Ünalan station.
- Timetables and weekend night services vary according to the current IBB (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) schedule. For up-to-date information, you can check Metro Istanbul's announcements.
- You board the metro with an Istanbulkart. To buy a card, you can use the ticket machines at the stations.
- With Havabus services, you can reach Taksim and Kadıköy without transfers.
- The Taksim line follows the Kavacık and Zincirlikuyu route. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
- The Kadıköy line also stops at Yenisahra. The journey to Kadıköy takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic.
- For current timetables and fares, you can check Havabus's official website.
- E10: Kadıköy via Kurtköy
- E3: 4. Levent Metro (European Side)
- 16S: Uzunçayır Metrobus
- MR60: Pendik YHT (Marmaray)
- Routes and schedules may change. For up-to-date information, you can check the official IETT website or mobile app.
- With Marmaray, you can reach many parts of the city by transferring.
- You can take the MR60 bus to Pendik YHT station and transfer to Marmaray.
- You can also take the M4 metro to Ayrılık Çeşmesi station and switch to Marmaray.
- You can take a taxi from the airport to anywhere in the city.
- Bridge and tunnel tolls are paid by the passenger.
- There are offices of international and local car rental companies at the airport.
- If you make a reservation in advance, you can pick up your car without waiting in line.
- You can travel comfortably from the airport to different parts of the city with a private transfer service.
- It is recommended to book your transfer at least one day in advance.
Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport is located on the European Side. From the airport, which is in the Arnavutköy district, you can get to the city center by bus, Havaist, metro, taxi, car rental, or transfer service.
Bus- From Istanbul Airport, you can reach different parts of the city center, such as Mecidiyeköy, Mahmutbey, Sultangazi, Sarıyer, and Halkalı, on the H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, and H-8 buses.
- The journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes to Mecidiyeköy, 1 hour 45 minutes to Halkalı, 1 hour 30 minutes to Mahmutbey, 1 hour 25 minutes to Sultangazi, and 1 hour 50 minutes to Sarıyer. Travel times may vary depending on traffic conditions.
- You can buy bus tickets at the ticket booths or machines on the airport platforms, or online.
- You can get from the airport to the city center on the M11 Gayrettepe - Istanbul Airport metro line.
- The metro provides direct access to the Arnavutköy, İhsaniye, Göktürk, Kemerburgaz, Hasdal, Kağıthane, and Gayrettepe areas of the city center.
- After getting off at Gayrettepe station, you can also transfer to the metrobus, buses, and the M1 Hacıosman - Yenikapı metro line.
- The metro operates between 06:00 and 00:00.
- The journey takes about 45 minutes on average.
- Havaist services take you to Aksaray, Esenler Bus Terminal, Arnavutköy, Halkalı-Başakşehir, Silivri - Çatalca, Beylikdüzü, Avcılar - Bahçeşehir, Bakırköy, Kadıköy, Taksim, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- You can pay the Havaist fare online, at the ticket booths on the platforms, or by card on the bus. Istanbulkart is accepted on some Havaist buses.
- The Havaist fare varies depending on the route you take.
- Orange, turquoise, and black taxis run from Istanbul Airport to the city center.
- A fixed fare applies from the airport to certain points in the city center.
- Bridge crossings, bus terminal exit fees, and toll roads are paid by the passenger.
- You can rent a car from Avec, Sixt, Hertz, Rent Go, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Garenta, and many other companies at the airport and drive to the city center.
- If you make a reservation before
Istanbul Weather
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| Airline | Price | Standard inclusions |
|---|---|---|
133 KWD | — | |
137 KWD | No changes allowed / No Refund / 1 piece X 7 kg cabin baggage (55x38x20 cm) / Complimentary Refreshments | |
127 KWD | 1 piece X 8 kg cabin baggage / 1 piece X 15 kg checked baggage |
Last update: 23.09.2026


