Private jet to Istanbul

Turkey's largest city and business centre spreads along both shores of the Bosphorus, with the old town, Taksim and the office towers of Levent and Maslak on the European side and districts such as Kadıköy and Ataşehir on the Asian side. Private flyers come for meetings with banks, holding companies and suppliers, for trade fairs and congresses, for medical appointments and for city weekends. Demand barely follows the seasons: it follows the working week and the fair calendar.

Istanbul has three airports that take business jets, and on this route the choice of airport shapes the day more than the choice of aircraft, because 20 km across the city can take an hour. Istanbul Airport (IST) in the north has a private terminal run with Jetex, Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian shore has a 24-hour FBO, and Atatürk in the west, closed to scheduled flights, serves business aviation only and is widely used by private jets. Turkey is outside the EU and Schengen, so passports and customs are checked on arrival. As a broker, we compare operators across Europe and pick the airport by the address of your meeting or hotel.

Fill in the route, the date and, if you know it, the district you are going to, and a consultant will propose the airport, the aircraft and the price.

Why fly to the Bosphorus by private jet

Flight times to Istanbul Airport

Times for a Citation CJ3 from the tables below:

• Bucharest: 1:05 h, Sofia: 1:09 h, Athens: 1:16 h
• Budapest: 1:55 h, Vienna: 2:12 h
• Munich: 2:39 h, Milan Linate: 2:46 h, Zurich: 2:55 h
• Nice: 2:58 h, Frankfurt: 3:03 h, Geneva: 3:08 h, Hamburg: 3:13 h
• Amsterdam: 3:32 h, Paris Le Bourget: 3:35 h
• London Farnborough: 3:59 h, Madrid: 4:15 h

From the Balkans the trip is about an hour; from western Europe it is one of the longest sectors a light jet flies on the continent. From London or Madrid a midsize jet saves about a quarter of an hour, 3:43 h against 3:59 h, and offers a taller cabin with more legroom, which counts on a four-hour leg. Sabiha Gökçen adds a few minutes from the west, and Dubai is about four hours away in a long-range jet.

Private jet prices to Istanbul

Prices are for the whole aircraft, one way, plus handling, airport charges and passenger taxes, with an aircraft based near the departure airport. Flight times are given for the aircraft in the first price column. Fares to Atatürk are almost the same as to IST, since the two airports are 35 km apart.

From the European hubs and the Balkans

The range runs from EUR 9,000 for a light jet from Sofia or Bucharest to EUR 18,000 from London and EUR 19,000 from Madrid. On the long western sectors the gap between classes widens: from Paris a Challenger 350 costs EUR 28,000 against EUR 17,000 for the CJ3. Larnaca is not in the table, because there are no direct flights between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey.

From other European cities

From Poland, Czechia, Germany, Scandinavia and Spain the light jet column uses the Phenom 300, with more range and a larger hold, and both the Legacy 500 and the Gulfstream G280 have a stand-up cabin for sectors of three hours and more:

From the Gulf and New York

For large and long-range aircraft IST is the usual choice, with runways of up to 4,100 m. From the Gulf the route depends on which airspace is open, and the operator confirms it in the quote:

To Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side

The extra distance to the Asian airport is about 60 km, so the price changes little:

The flight time drives the price, plus a fixed share for bringing the aircraft and crew to the departure airport. Passenger taxes depend on the departure country. A jet leaving France pays the French solidarity tax, which depends on distance: about EUR 1,015 per passenger to Turkey and about EUR 420 within Europe. Italy charges EUR 100 or EUR 200 per passenger depending on distance, and Austria EUR 12. Germany adds a departure tax, the Netherlands a tax per passenger on aircraft of 5.7 t or more, and the UK charges Air Passenger Duty, which is higher only for aircraft of 20 t or more with fewer than 19 seats. Turkish airport charges, terminal fees and handling are itemised in the quote.

Business jet price per flight hour

Heavy Jets from EUR 8,300 / hour

Light Jets from EUR 3,200 / hour

Ultra Long Range Jets from EUR 12,000 / hour

Super Midsize Jets from EUR 6,300 / hour

Very Light Jets from EUR 2,500 / hour

Long Range Jets from EUR 9,800 / hour

Midsize Jets from EUR 4,500 / hour

Turboprops from EUR 2,000 / hour

What a trip really costs

Price per person

The whole aircraft is paid for, so the cost per seat falls with every passenger added. Taxes are added per person:

Online calculator

Need a figure for another route or date? The calculator sends an estimate to your e-mail.

Istanbul's airports for business jets

Istanbul Airport (IST, LTFM) is the main hub, on the Black Sea side of the European shore, about 40 km from the centre by road. It is open 24 hours, has customs for general aviation and several runways, the longest 4,100 m, so it takes any aircraft from a light jet to a VIP airliner. Private passengers use the terminal run with Jetex, with private suites, a lounge and their own passport and security checkpoints. Slots are required, the taxi to the business aviation stands can take 15-20 minutes, and there is no hangar space for visiting aircraft.

Sabiha Gökçen (SAW, LTFJ) is the only airport on the Asian side, about 32 km south-east of the centre, with two parallel runways of 3,000 m and 3,540 m. ExecuJet, together with Bilen Air Services, runs a 24-hour FBO in the general aviation terminal with passenger and crew lounges and a meeting room. Handling is compulsory and the slot must be requested at least 48 hours ahead; preferred times are not always granted. Long-term parking is generally not available unless the aircraft goes into a hangar.

Atatürk (ISL, LTBA), the former main airport in Yeşilköy, has no scheduled flights and handles business aviation and state flights only. One runway of about 2,600 m remains in use, enough for most business jets, and checks in its general aviation terminal often take 5-10 minutes. It is the closest of the three to the old town and Taksim, the most flexible for longer parking and a main choice of operators for business jets. Parts of the former site have been turned over to other uses and capacity can be restricted around major events, so the slot is confirmed in writing for each date.

Alternates outside the city

Tekirdağ Çorlu (TEQ, LTBU), 70 km west of IST in a straight line, has a 3,000 m runway and serves as a parking alternative when the Istanbul fields are full; the drive to the city takes 1:30-2 h. For weather diversions the operator may also file Ankara Esenboğa, 381 km away. Permits, slots and handling are needed there too.

Which aircraft suits the trip

Below three hours the light jets keep the cost down. From London, Paris, Amsterdam or Madrid the flight approaches four hours, and a roomier midsize cabin makes the difference; its hold also takes exhibition material and samples. For more than ten passengers or a journey on to the Gulf, a heavy jet is the sensible class.

Unsure which airport or aircraft fits your schedule? Leave a number and a consultant will call you back.

When to fly: the city's calendar

There is no real low season. Autumn brings the most congresses and fairs, and the large religious holidays move each year with the lunar calendar:

In fair weeks secure the aircraft and the slot two to three weeks ahead. During major sports events and summits, parking for private aircraft can be limited for some days, and we propose another airport if needed.

From the airport to the city

Empty Legs to and from Istanbul

An Empty Leg is a flight an operator must make without passengers, for example after dropping clients in Turkey or on the way to collect them. Business jets fly between the city and the rest of Europe throughout the working week, so empty sectors appear often, especially midweek. Typical directions:

The operator sets the date and time, so an Empty Leg suits a flexible plan. The slot and landing permission are needed just as for a normal charter. Send your direction and dates to empty-legs@jets.flights, and we will write when a matching flight comes up.

Flying with a dog or cat

On a private jet the animal flies in the cabin beside you, which matters for short-nosed breeds, and the operator must approve it in advance. Turkey is outside the EU, so preparation starts months before the trip:

• Microchip, and a rabies vaccination given after the chip, when the animal was at least 12 weeks old.
• Rabies antibody blood test, taken at least 30 days after the vaccination.
• Health certificate issued by a government vet for the trip; the EU pet passport alone is not enough for Turkey.
• For the return to the EU: Turkey is not on the EU list of low-risk countries, so the antibody result should be in the pet passport before leaving the EU; otherwise the animal may re-enter only three months after the blood sample.
• Plan the return into an EU airport listed as a travellers' point of entry for pets.

Many city hotels do not take animals, so we ask the hotel before booking and order a car with space for a carrier.

Documents, permits and customs

Before departure: checklist

• Passport valid for at least 150 days after arrival, or an accepted ID card, for every passenger.
• Passenger list with full names, nationalities, dates of birth and passport numbers, sent before take-off.
• Address of the meeting or hotel, so that we choose the airport on the right shore.
• Catering wishes at least 72 hours ahead, because chilled items cannot be stored at the airport.
• Pet documents: microchip, vaccination, antibody test and health certificate.
• Exhibition material, samples or valuables listed for customs.
• Company details and VAT number for invoicing.

How to book a private jet to Istanbul

1. Send the date, the number of passengers, the luggage and the address of your meeting or hotel.
2. We propose the airport: IST, Sabiha Gökçen or Atatürk, and check the slot, the permission and parking for your dates.
3. You receive 2-4 aircraft options with operator, model, cabin photos and the price for the whole aircraft, including waiting time for a same-day return.
4. You sign the contract and pay; we confirm handling, slot, the car and catering, and send the handler's name to the driver.
5. Plan to reach the departure terminal 20-30 minutes before take-off. In Istanbul you clear passport control in the private terminal and go straight to the car.

Our team

Charlotte McKinney

Commercial Director

charlotte.m@jets.flights

Henry Richter

Head of Aviation Department and Data Protection Officer

henry.r@jets.flights

Emma Miller

Director of Development

emma.m@jets.flights

Liam Bishop

Senior Aviation Consultant

liam.b@jets.flights

Oliver Davis

Aviation Consultant

oliver.d@jets.flights

Anna Laurent

Aviation Consultant

anna.l@jets.flights

Private flights to Istanbul: questions and answers

• • How much does a private jet to Istanbul cost?

  • A light jet costs from EUR 9,000 one way from Sofia or Bucharest, while Vienna costs EUR 12,500 and London EUR 18,000, always for the whole aircraft. Fees, charges and passenger taxes are added in the quote.

• • Which airport do private jets use?

  • It depends on where you are going. IST has a private terminal and the longest runways, Sabiha Gökçen serves the Asian side, and Atatürk handles business aviation only and is closest to the old town, subject to confirmation for the date.

• • What is the difference between IST and ISL?

  • IST is the code of Istanbul Airport, ISL that of Atatürk. Older lists mix them up, so our quotes always give the full airport name.

• • What is the flight time from London?

  • About 3:59 h from Farnborough in a Citation CJ3 and 3:43 h in a Citation XLS+. Turkey is two hours ahead of London in summer and three in winter.

• • Do I need a visa?

  • Most EU, British and Swiss passport holders do not, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180. Passports are checked on arrival because Turkey is outside Schengen.

• • How long does passport control take?

  • In the private terminals usually 15-20 minutes, and often less at Atatürk. Sending the passenger list early speeds it up.

• • Can we fly there and back in a day?

  • Yes, from the Balkans, Vienna or Munich easily. The aircraft and crew wait at the airport, and the quote includes the waiting time and checks the crew's duty day.

• • Can the aircraft stay in Istanbul for several days?

  • At IST it can park for a fee but without a hangar, and Sabiha Gökçen allows only short stays unless a hangar is booked. For longer trips we compare parking with two one-way flights.

• • Can my dog come?

  • Yes, in the cabin, with a microchip, rabies vaccination, antibody test and a health certificate from a government vet. Start preparing months ahead so the return to the EU needs no waiting period.

• • Are there Empty Legs to Istanbul?

  • Yes, mainly midweek between Istanbul and Vienna, Munich, Switzerland, Athens or Sofia. An e-mail to empty-legs@jets.flights with the route and dates puts you on the list.

• • How early should a flight be booked?

  • Allow at least three working days for a foreign aircraft's permission and registration, and 48 hours for a slot at Sabiha Gökçen. In fair weeks book two to three weeks ahead.