Flights to Istanbul (IST)

Flights from Simferopol

Cheap flights from Simferopol in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine, are readily available on one of the many airlines operating through Simferopol International Airport. Using Orbitz.com, you can book reservations to leave the area on air carriers such as Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, Wizz Air, Ukraine International Airlines and Air Onix. The airport is only seven miles from the city, making it easily reached by the area's population of 340,000.

Parking at the Simferopol International Airport

Parking is provided at Simferopol International Airport in a parking lot with round-the-clock security for about $2.40 a day.

Transportation to the Airport

Getting from the center of town to the airport is possible by trolleybus. Trolleybus #9 runs from the train station to the airport, and it leaves every 10 to 15 minutes. The trip takes 28 minutes. A minibus is also available from the train station, leaving every 10 to 20 minutes and taking only 15 minutes to complete the trip. For more convenience, have a taxi pick you up and take you directly to the airport.

Eating at Simferopol International Airport

Several restaurants in Simferopol can provide you with a memorable meal before you leave town. Kafe Marakand, for instance, features delicious Central Asian dishes, such as plov, manty and lepeshshky, providing you with a great last taste of the regional cuisine. For a broader selection of foods from all over Eastern Europe, try the Flamingo restaurant. However, if you're running out of time before catching one of the cheap flights from Simferopol, stop by the airport café for a light meal.

Istanbul Area Airports

Orbitz.com offers cheap flights to Istanbul and vacation packages that let you explore this fascinating city, which spans two separate continents. The main airport for the city, Istanbul Atatürk International Airport, is located on the European side of the city, about 24 kilometers from the downtown area. Sabiha Gokcen International Airport is on the Asian side of Istanbul, about 35 kilometers southeast of the city center. Istanbul Atatürk International Airport handles flights from over 70 airlines, including British Airways, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Air France. Sabiha Gokcen International Airport serves over 30 airlines, including Sky Airlines, EasyJet, Turkish Airlines, and SunExpress.

Getting to the Airport

From Istanbul Atatürk International Airport, arriving visitors can opt to take the metro train or sea bus into Istanbul. The Sabiha Gokcen airport shuttle makes regular trips from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to various points within the city, and it costs 10 euro per person. Visitors can also get into the city from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport via sea bus or public bus. Both airports are also accessible via taxi.

Weather Conditions in Istanbul

In the summer, high temperatures average around 82 degrees Fahrenheit in June and July and drop to lows of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Rain is uncommon in the summer, although the humidity remains high during the summer months. Winters are often cold and snowy. In January, temperatures average between 37 to 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and fall tend to be mild, and the bargain prices offered during these seasons make them ideal for a visit.

Vacationing in Istanbul

Take in a bit of history with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, or one of the many Ottoman mosques scattered throughout the city. Archaeology museums are another popular attraction, or you can get tickets for a cruise on the Bosphorus to get a view of the city from the water. Once you know the sights you want to see in Turkey, check out Orbitz.com for cheap flights to Istanbul at any time of the year.

By far the best times to visit Istanbul are spring (April and May) and fall (September and October), when local kids are on a school schedule, the daytime weather is in the 60s, and the nights cool off pleasantly.

In summer, average temperatures are in the low- to mid-80’s, though on rare occasions it hits 100-plus degrees. Warm weather brings most of the art and music fests: The Istanbul Foundation for Culture & Arts organizes dance, film, theatre, and puppet festivals (April/May); jazz and music (June/July); and a biennial in the fall.

In winter, it can get cold and wet enough to snow, though the average high is around 50, and the precipitation is usually rain. Thanks to its maritime location at the nexus of the Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus, and Black Sea, it can get both windy and humid here—and there’s fog more than 200 days a year (though it usually burns off in late morning).

It’s not just weather to consider: Religious holidays create seasons of their own. During the month of Ramadan (usually around July and August), holy sites can be crowded, traffic right before the evening meal can be heavy, and restaurant service can be irregular. During Kurban Bayramı (around October/November), the most important Islamic festival of the year and a five-day public holiday, hotels fill up, banks close, and ATMs can even run out of money. If you really want the city to yourself (along with cheaper hotel rooms), and can handle some chill and precipitation, travel here in March and November.