Istanbul to Ankara flights
Direct and connecting flights from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) to Esenboğa International Airport (ESB) — airlines, aircraft types, and the safety record for this route.
Route FAQ
How long does the flight from Istanbul to Ankara take?
Flight time from Istanbul (SAW) to Ankara (ESB) depends on routing, aircraft type, and whether the flight is direct or connecting. A direct flight typically reflects great-circle distance plus winds, while one-stop options can add several hours depending on the layover airport. The typical block time and frequency we have observed for this route are shown above.
Which airlines fly from Istanbul to Ankara?
Airline availability for SAW to ESB changes by season and sometimes week to week as carriers adjust capacity. The airlines and aircraft types observed operating this route, both direct and connecting, are listed below based on real flight-tracking data.
Are there direct flights from Istanbul to Ankara?
Direct (nonstop) availability on SAW to ESB varies by date, day of week, and season. Busy city pairs usually have multiple daily nonstops, while thinner routes may only have direct service a few days per week or only during peak seasons.
No fatal or serious occurrence recorded and attributed to operators on this pair in the last 90 days.
- Pegasus Airlines5-yr: no attributed events (coverage limited)Last 90 days: none recorded
- Turkish Airlines5-yr attributed events: 9Last 90 days: none recorded
| Carrier | Sightings / 90d | Safety events |
|---|---|---|
| Pegasus Airlines | 4 sightings | No recorded events |
| Turkish Airlines | 2 sightings | No recorded events |
Planning SAW → ESB
SAW to ESB is a short-haul route of 323 km (201 mi). See the return ESB → SAW route.
Alternative airports near Istanbul: Istanbul (ISL) — 42 km, Istanbul (IST) — 63 km, Topel (KCO) — 68 km.
Alternative airports near Ankara: Ankara (ANK) — 33 km.