Flights
Tehran (IKA) to Istanbul (IST) flights
Compare Tehran (IKA)–Istanbul (IST) fares from international sources and the rial sellers, see which airlines still fly, and check the entry rules before you book.
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Airlines on this route
From the Iran advisories: who still flies, who is suspended, and whether tickets can be bought in rial.
- Operating
Iran Air (IR)
Istanbul and Najaf operating. Karachi (Mon from Tehran, Tue from Mashhad) and Kabul resumed in October 2026. No EU flights since the 2024 EU sanctions.
Checked 31 October 2026 · Rial payment
- Resumed
Caspian Airlines (RV)
Resumed Turkey routes (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir) from Tehran, Tabriz and Urmia on 24 Oct 2026. Mostly charter; confirm schedule before buying.
Checked 31 October 2026 · Rial payment
- Unverified
Qeshm Air (QB)
Flew Istanbul before the sanctions. Current status not confirmed.
Checked 31 October 2026 · Rial payment
Before you book
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months; check the visa rule for the destination.
- Iranian bank cards do not work on foreign sites: buy from a rial seller, or ask someone abroad to pay.
- The UAE is closed to Iranian passport holders; Istanbul, Yerevan, Najaf, Muscat and Moscow are the working transit points.
Other ways to go
Trains and buses take longer and cost a fraction; the flight is the fast one.
No train or bus alternative for this pair.
Questions people ask
- Do I need a visa for Istanbul (IST)?
- It depends on the destination: some countries are visa-free or visa on arrival for Iranians, others need an e-visa or an embassy visa. Our advisories pages list the sourced rules.
- Can I pay with an Iranian card?
- Not on foreign sites. Rial sellers such as Flytoday and Alibaba sell many international flights in rial; otherwise someone abroad pays for you.
- Which airlines still fly Tehran (IKA) to Istanbul (IST)?
- The list above comes from our advisories and is dated. Suspended carriers are shown so you do not rely on an old schedule.