outward: Nov 10, 2020
inbound: Nov 17, 2020Average flight duration: 2h02m (direct flight)
Flying is the fastest and safest way to get from Beirut to Istanbul; traveling by car not only takes over 15 hours but also requires you to travel through Syrian war zones. From the Beirut city centre, a taxi is the best way to get to Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport (BEY), from which nonstop flights to Istanbul take about two hours and are frequently operated at reasonable rates by MEA, Turkish Airlines, and Pegasus. Istanbul has two major airports: Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). It takes about 50 minutes to reach central Istanbul by Havabus from IST ($3.40), and 1h 30m from SAW ($4.25).
Istanbul is a beautiful and historic city that serves as a geographical and cultural middle ground between Europe and Asia. Istanbul's sites can all be easily reached by shared or private taxi, by subway, and by tram. Istanbul boasts some great architecture, from the jaw-dropping and historic Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmed Mosques by Sultanahmet Park to the Galata Tower and Bridge just outside the happening district of Taksim. If you’re a keen shopper, make sure to designate some time to explore Istanbul’s signature markets and bargain with their tenders. When you get tired, chances are you won’t be far from a tea house or restaurant where you can rest and indulge in fabulous Turkish cuisine.