Cheap flights from Istanbul to Warsaw

December is the cheapest month on this route, so if your dates are flexible, aim for the first half of the month, before the Christmas and New Year rush lifts fares. Spring and early autumn are the shoulder seasons, mild in Istanbul and cooler in Warsaw. Summer is the busiest stretch in both cities, and fares follow demand. Midweek departures usually cost less than Friday and Sunday flights, and departures at the edges of the day tend to be gentler on the wallet.

Wizz Air, Pegasus, Transavia France and Ajet keep the low-cost end of this route busy, with fares that cover a seat and a small cabin bag and charge extra for checked luggage and seat choice. Turkish Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Aegean Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines sit at the full-service end, where a checked bag and food are usually part of the ticket. Sky Express also turns up on some itineraries. Whether you get a nonstop depends on the airline and the day, and connecting options add a change of plane and a longer total journey time.

Warsaw has two airports, and they are not interchangeable. F. Chopin sits inside the city, a short ride from the centre, with buses and taxis at the arrivals exit. Modlin lies well outside Warsaw to the north, so add the transfer to your plan: shuttle buses and trains run into the centre, and that leg takes real time. Check which airport your ticket names before you book ground transport, because low-cost carriers often use Modlin while full-service flights tend to land at Chopin.

Currency

PLZ (zł)

Power sockets

Type C, E · 230 V

Language

Polish

Emergency number

112, 986, 997

Driving side

right

Calling code

+48

Internet domain

.pl

EU / Schengen

EU member, Schengen area

Population of Warsaw

1.9 M (2024)

Time zone

UTC+01 (Europe/Warsaw)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check whether your flight leaves from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen — they sit on opposite sides of the city.
• Confirm what your low-cost fare includes: cabin bag size, checked baggage and seat selection are usually paid extras.
• If your itinerary involves a change of plane, make sure both legs sit on one ticket so a delay does not leave you stranded.
• Carry a passport valid well beyond your stay and check the current entry rules for Poland before you fly.
• Book early for December if you want the cheapest fares, and steer clear of the days around Christmas and New Year.
• Decide between F. Chopin and Modlin before you arrange your airport transfer in Warsaw.