Daytona Beach to Istanbul Flights

  About Daytona Beach

It's right there in the name! If you want to spend your holiday waking up to white sands and pristine beaches, Daytona Beach is the place for you to go. Whether you are planning a vacation with your family or if you have to party with your friends in mind, Daytona Beach is a perfect holiday spot. Located in East Florida, it is also a popular place for teenagers to head to on their spring break, along with Miami Beach. It is also an apt place for people who are passionate about motor vehicles. The Daytona Beach Bike Week and Biketoberfest are some of the most popular events in the city. It attracts a lot of tourists from the country. You will certainly have the time of your life at Daytona Beach. It is a blend of your love for bikes and beaches. The city is also known for its eclectic dining scene along with a happening nightlife. You can book a hotel in Daytona Beach at a very affordable rate if done in advance.

Best Time to Visit Daytona Beach

It goes without saying that summer is one of the best times for you to plan a beach vacation. You can beat the heat by diving into the ocean. But the high season in Daytona Beach is during springtime from March to May. The temperature ranges from 12 to 29 degree Celsius. This might not be the best time to plan a vacation to Daytona Beach with your family since it will have a lot of teenagers blowing off some steam and enjoy their spring break. If you want fewer crowds during spring, it would be best to plan your trip in April or May when the teenage partying crowd leaves. You will also find a lot of events happening in the city during the spring that you can attend. Spring Break happens during February and March. You will come across a lot of crazy parties and teenagers in the city. Make sure you book your hotel in Daytona Beach well in advance if you have a spring holiday on your mind. It fills quickly over spring and the hotel prices also spike. Daytona Beach's love for bikes and motor vehicles is also reflected through its events like Bike Week, Daytona Supercross, Jeep Beach and Spring Daytona Beach Turkey Run.

June to August is summertime in Daytona Beach and not the most popular time to plan a trip to the city. The scorching heat and humidity will only make it difficult for you to enjoy your vacation. However, it will be easier for you to get cheap flight tickets to Daytona Beach during this time. The hotel prices also drop considerably. Keep in mind that there is a risk of potential storms in the city during the summer. The temperature ranges from 21 to 33 degree Celsius. Make sure you are well-hydrated and are using a sunblock frequently to avoid getting sunburnt. September to November is fall season, and the climate becomes quite pleasant. The temperature ranges from 13 to 31 degree Celsius. There are also chances of light showers in the city. Make sure you attend the Biketoberfest in October and the Halifax Art Festival in November.

December to February is winter and another popular time for tourists to head to the beach city. You will have to book your hotel accommodations well in advance, so you don't have to settle for what's available. Winter events include Daytona 500 and Speedweeks in February and Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.

Places to Visit in Daytona Beach

After Miami Beach, Daytona Beach is one of the world's and America's most famous beaches. It stretches for more than 23 miles and is usually overcrowded with tourists during high season. It is open for pedestrians for 24 hours, depending on the tidal conditions. While you are allowed to take a stroll at the beach, there are certain limitations when it comes to driving hours. Catch the most beautiful sunset from the beach. May to October is also nesting sea turtles season so you will have to be careful of not stepping on any of the eggs, too. The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum is a national landmark. Ponce de Leon Inlet is one of the tallest lighthouses in the country, and the view of the city from the top of the lighthouse is simply breathtaking. Get a glimpse of Daytona's love for motorsports at the Daytona International Speedway. It hosts a lot of speed car racing events throughout the year. You can also visit the Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS) is just a short drive from Daytona International Speedway and the airport. You can also visit the Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Museum and the Halifax Historical Museum.

If you want to experience nature in Daytona Beach, head over to Tomoka State Park, this is where Native Americans once lived, and you will also get to see the 40-foot statue of Chief Tomoki. This is the perfect place to head to if you want to take a break from the sun and sands at the beaches. Daytona Lagoon is an amusement park that you can visit for a fun-filled day. From miniature golf courses to go-kart racing, laser tag and adventurous rides, you can visit the amusement park with your family or friends. If you are visiting with your family, make sure you also head to the Marine Science Center. You will find a lot of sea turtles, snakes, gopher tortoises and other species that are nursed here and sent back into the ocean. There is also the Mary Keller Rehabilitation Facility that has helped at least 18,000 injured birds. Visiting these research centres is quite an educational experience not just for your kids but for you, too. Visit the Angell and Phelps chocolate factory to be amazed. The company was founded in Michigan originally but moved to Florida when World War II began. The factory offers a free tour and lets you see how your favourite chocolatey treats are made. You will also leave with a few free samples.

Things to do in Daytona Beach

You will find a lot of beach activities to try at Daytona Beach if you are a water baby. You can sign up for several tours that the city has to offer. Try the Orlando Manatee Encounters tour to experience manatee in their natural habitat. You can also go sailing or go for a two-hour wildlife tour of the Indian River Lagoon. You will find a lot of guided tours of the ocean and of the city that will also offer an experience of a lifetime. You can also attend several moto sports events that happen in the city. Since it is a party destination, too, you will find a lot of places to go gulp down cocktails and dance till you drop. You can go on a food tasting tour of the city or sit back and sunbathe at the beach. You can get crazy or dial down on crazy, and you can have any kind of vacation that you wish for at Daytona Beach.

Foods and Restaurants at Daytona Beach

Owing to its proximity to the ocean, seafood is one of the most popular cuisines in Daytona Beach. You can binge on the different types of cuisines made of crabs here/ Be it chilli crabs or crab cakes, the food here won't disappoint you one bit. The dining scene is quite eclectic and diverse here. Crabby Joe's is a very popular place for crab cake benedicts. You will get the best ice creams at Cow Lick's Homemade Ice Cream and Arcade. Caribbean Jack's offers you not only a gorgeous view of the marina over dinner and cocktails but also live music that adds all the charm to your dining experience. You can also try the Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse for a grilled steakhouse. Ale Trail and Daytona Beach Brewing Company are known for their artisan spirits and craft beer. You can also grab a quick bite at one of the many food trucks in the city if you don't want to have a sit-down dinner.

How to reach Daytona Beach

The Daytona Beach International Airport is in the heart of Florida. The flight connectivity to Daytona Beach from India is excellent. Even though it takes more than 24 hours of flight journey to reach the city, it is completely worth it. Most flights to Daytona Beach from India have two layovers, one at London and Charlotte if you are travelling by American Airlines. KLM also takes off to Daytona Beach from India; it has layovers at Atlanta and Amsterdam. If you book in advance, you will come across some excellent flight deals to Daytona Beach online. The Daytona Beach International Airport is well-equipped with WiFi, lounges, shopping areas, restaurants, cafes, airport transfers and currency exchange. You can also check out the airport's website to know more about booking flight tickets to Daytona Beach or you can book one through a travel agent.

  About Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the popular cities in Turkey which has been split by the Bosphorus Strait to have parts of it in Europe as well as Asia. The old city is known for its rich Byzantine heritage, which can still be witnessed in a majority of the monuments and tourist attractions. Istanbul is the financial, economic, historical and cultural hub of Turkey and witnesses a great turnover of tourists every year, especially during peak seasons.

Aside from being one of the largest cities in the world, Istanbul's population is quite high for a European city. The city is always crowded and can often get overwhelming with the excess crowd. There are various ways to reach the city, such as flights to Istanbul and cruises to the city's port from the Mediterranean Sea.

As a tourist hub, the city witnesses tourists flocking over from all directions. While their airport is busy with a plethora of flights flying in and out of Istanbul, even their sea routes see the same fervour. Ships and cruise voyages are a big hit among tourists who have the luxury of time and who also enjoy the luxe lifestyle. Many cities such as Barcelona, Nice, Athens, Sardinia, and more, have regular cruises heading to the port of Istanbul.

Some of the major highlights of the city are the Byzantium structures such as the Basilica Cistern, Chora Museum, to name a few. Accommodation prices fluctuate depending on the travel season.

Best time to visit Istanbul

Istanbul witnesses the best climate between March to May and September to November. As the city faces tremendous humidity to the point of annoyance, the summers and winters are also not ideal for travelling to Istanbul. However, Istanbul still receives an extensive crowd between June to August, summer. Even with the temperatures soaring high, many folks from the cold countries flock over to enjoy the hot sun and humid weather. It might be taxing to the ones already living in hot and humid atmospheres. The demand for Istanbul's summers is surprisingly high. The peak season comes with high-priced tags on hotel rooms in Istanbul. Even flights to Istanbul during the summer months are expensive. However, if you're planning a trip from India, which already enjoy its share of hot and humid weather, summer is definitely not the best time for you.

Months leading to winter and summer though, they are really pleasant and favourable for travelling and engaging in touristy activities. September to November bring the city's temperatures down as the roads are blessed with a cold breeze and quaint environment. Even the flight tickets to Istanbul drop, and there are cheap and affordable flight deals that you can acquire. These months usually witness rain showers, due to which, the tourism is put at a standstill. For a budget-traveller though, it is the best time to visit. The accommodation prices drop exceptionally in the city during this season, paving way for booking hotels in Istanbul for cheap. Another perk of this season is how various cultural festivals take place. Istanbul Biennial, Istanbul International Puppet Festival, Istanbul Theatre Festival, Contemporary Istanbul and Akbank Jazz Festival, are some of the festivals organised by the city to entertain the locals as well as the tourists. The March to May months are just as pleasant before summer takes over. Despite the humidity in the air, the spring and fall season caters to the tourism industry by keeping the heat and stickiness at a bare minimum.

Places to visit in Istanbul

Istanbul exquisite palaces and ornate religious structures have always been a fancy for history enthusiasts and tourists driven by cultural relevance. The city's major tourist attractions are centrally located, making traversing to the place convenient. However, thanks to the proximity, this has led to the city of Istanbul being excessively noisy, crowded and chaotic. That shouldn't stop you from exploring the streets of the city though You should visit the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum. These two attractions are known to be the most important ones in Istanbul and should not be missed. Istanbul's Faith district's another pearl is the Süleymaniye Mosque, which is known to be one of the perfect architectural structure in Ottoman-style. The Bosphorus Strait of Istanbul is a natural wonder on its own with the strategic waterways that connect the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and simultaneously, dividing the city of Istanbul into two separate continents. This is easily one of the best sights and definitely worth checking out. You can even find fancy restaurants that overlook the strait.

The Basilica Cistern (also called Yerebatan Sarnici) is the largest Byzantine cistern that has managed to survive all through centuries. It is a beautiful site with an underground water reservoir, which is roughly calculated to be the size of two football fields. Another relic from the Byzantine period is the Chora Museum, which was originally a church from the old era. There are some modern structures too that add to Istanbul's charm with the Istanbul Modern museum being one of them. It is a private museum which collects and exhibits artwork that has contemporary significance.

Things to do in Istanbul

Located very close to the Blue Mosque is the Grand Bazaar, which is one of the oldest and massive shopping markets across the globe. With over 5,000 shops and 60 streets, the bazaar tends to overwhelm tourists with its colossal size. Not to mention how the place is constantly bustling with overzealous salesmen. The bazaar also has many quaint cafes and restaurants where you will find a lovely amalgam of cuisines ranging from the Mediterranean to Turkish to Middle Eastern. Many tourists have advocated that simply opting for a stroll around the city streets is the best kind of tourist activity one can indulge in when in Istanbul. Interacting with people and learning new stories about the place is definitely something people would enjoy. Plus, it would also be a good learning experience as you will have many more stories to return with from Istanbul.

Food and Restaurants in Istanbul

Istanbul's dreamy scenic landscapes and cityscapes are not the only marvels that would steal your heart. The city's lovely melange of cuisines from Turkish to the Mediterranean is quite impressive and will go down well with you. The fusion food from the Middle East and Asia further add to the charm of the exquisite delicacies sold on the streets of Istanbul. You will particularly enjoy their kebabs and mezes (tapas-like plates), a popular dish known across Turkey as well as other Middle Eastern countries. The cuisine comprises meat, beans, vegetables and nuts, which combine to make quite the flavour that to get your attention. Another important ingredient for the Turkish is yogurt, which is used as a companion for a majority of their meals. The street food is just as marvellous with döner and simit, to name a few staple dishes. Besides, if the food expedition gets too heavy and makes you conk off, you can also down some impeccable Turkish coffee and feel rejuvenated.

To experience some of the high-end luxe restaurants in Istanbul, visit Ulus 29 which faces the famed Bosphorus, Râna Meyhane for some lip-smacking Ottoman and Mediterranean cuisine. You can take this food expedition further by visiting Banyan to savour some Asian delicacies and St. Regis Brasserie to indulge in some French food. These places are fancy and have some of the best views of the city's Bosphorus Strait. To resort to a more fun and noisy backdrop, head to some meyhanes, located in every nook and corner of the city. Babel Cafe and Restaurant would give you one of the best Turkish dishes.

How to reach Istanbul (Transportation)

Istanbul's international airport, also known as Ataturk International Airport, is the city as well as Turkey's busiest airport. As a city that attracts a lot of tourists, the international airport is well-connected with several major cities in the world. Flight connectivity to Istanbul from India is exceptional. There are direct flights that fly to Istanbul from major cities in the country, including, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Turkish Airlines, Oman Air, Aeroflot, Ukraine International Airlines are some of the major airlines that have services for direct flights to Istanbul from Indian cities. The distance from India to Turkey is quite decent and can be covered in about seven to ten hours. Depending on whether you choose a connecting flight or a flight with a layover, the duration to reach Istanbul from India would differ accordingly. Turkish Airlines offer direct flights without any layovers and connecting flight business from Mumbai, which takes only seven hours to reach. Direct flights come with a setback of burning a hole in your pocket.

As long as you don't mind paying extra money and spending less time on the flight, you can opt for direct flights. However, if you wish to snag cheap flight tickets to Istanbul, you will either have to pick the flights with longer durations or the ones with layovers. While booking your flight tickets, ensure to book your hotel room in Istanbul as well. You might receive some online flight deals for booking Istanbul flight and accommodation.

  About Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport is one of the biggest airports in Turkey and serves as an international airport. The airport is situated on the Arnavutköy district, which falls on the European side of the city. Istanbul Airport is reserved for passenger use and should not be confused with Istanbul Atatürk Airport. The airport previously served for commercial flight services. However, the passenger flights were shifted to Istanbul Airport. Istanbul Atatürk Airport is closed for passenger flights, and only Istanbul Airport serves to allow operations of commercial flights.

Istanbul Airport is currently working on expansion plans. Some of the phases of infrastructural development and upgradations are yet to be completed. In fact, the airport authorities have segregated the expansion plans into various stages to enable consistent work. The eventual aim is to accommodate a whopping number of 200 million passengers in a year.

Istanbul Airport has four runways with one terminal that caters to both domestic and international flight movement. While there is only one terminal, the airport as been divided into five concourses and lettered alphabetically, A, B, C, D, F and G. Further with respect to the airport security, they have about 3,500 security personnel. These include 1,850 police, 750 immigration officers, providing airport security.

About Airport Terminals

Currently, the Istanbul Airport has one functioning terminal which services domestic and international flight activities. There are four runways that are operational and made of asphalt. The terminal does have a total of five concourses lettered A, B, D, F and G along with 143 total boarding bridges for passengers alphabetically. Since the one terminal takes care of both, domestic and international flights, the concourses divide the passengers flying from within Turkey and internationally. The Istanbul Airport has 3,500 security personnel dedicated to keeping the vicinity safe. Not to mention how a total of 1,850 police along with 750 immigration officers who are expected to join the airport security. The Istanbul Airport does have extensive plans to expand the terminals from the functional ones. The main terminal is known to have the capacity of passenger 90 million annually. It poses a tough competition with Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, which also boasts a large floor area. Istanbul Airport's runways are quite large, with one of them being 4,100 metres long.

About Airport Authority

Istanbul Airport is owned by General Directorate of State Airports Authority. However, it is being operated by Istanbul Grand Airport. The General Directorate of State Airports Authority is primarily a Turkish government body that takes care of the smooth functioning of a majority of airports in Turkey. They are also responsible for the regulation and overseeing the air traffic in the airspace that falls under the Turkish territory. Although the authority takes care of operations of many airports, the exceptions include Istanbul Airport, Milas-Bodrum Airport, Antalya Airport and Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. The operations of Istanbul Airport are undertaken by Istanbul Grand Airport. They have been working extensively on enabling the airport to be one of the best in the world.

Much recently, the authority came up with a project called Istanbul Airport City, which is set to bring about an intriguing urban development design. The airport city's design has since been enhanced with provisions for world-class amenities to support the Istanbul Airport's functions. The Airport City's unique concept has been undertaken by Perkin+Will, a renowned international design company. Istanbul Airport City model's location is parallel to the Istanbul Airport. The best part about the project's design is how it resembles the city of Istanbul. IGA aims to make the Istanbul Airport City as the cultural and economic hub for Turkey. The Istanbul Airport City will have four main zones which would be directly connected to the core zone of Terminal 1. The Istanbul Airport City is also slated to have an aviation academy and university, retail, hotels, hospital facility and more. IGA is also planning on bringing sustainable practices to enable a positive approach to environmental management.

Top airlines flying from Istanbul Airport

Istanbul Airport is gifted with great airlines connection. There are many flights that fly to and from the Istanbul Airport and have dedicated park bays too. In fact, the airport also sees Indian airlines, IndiGo. It is the only Indian airline that is available at the Istanbul Airport. In fact, the airline has devoted direct flight to IndiGo. Along with the Indian airline though, the Istanbul Airport further sees a lot of international connections too. With Turkish Airlines taking the majority of air traffic, the airport does witness flights of airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Albania, Air Astana, Air France, Air Moldova, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Iran Air, Jazeera Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Libyan Airlines, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Tunisair, Sichuan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways. The Istanbul Airport does lack cargo operations as a majority of the operations are being taken up by Istanbul Atatürk Airport.

Facilities at the Istanbul Airport

ATM and foreign exchange - ATM kiosks and forex counters are available at regular intervals at the airport. In fact, you can find the forex counters at the arrivals section of all terminals. It would be best to go through the airport's website if you need to know the exact location of the forex counters. The information desk would also perfect place for you to visit.

Baggage - The airport offers a slew of baggage-related facilities such as baggage delivery, baggage wrapping, porter services and more. These services are perfect as they would help you with all your luggage woes.

Prayer rooms - Dedicated multi-faith rooms have been installed at the airport. They can be availed by visitors, and there are 44 rooms in total. Half of them serve men, and the other half serve women. You must know the ones that you can enter.

Restaurants and cafes - Food courts, establishments and upscale restaurants are also present at the airport terminals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals spaces. In fact, many of the lounges in the airport also cater to an exquisite culinary experience.

Lounges - The Istanbul Airport accommodates a slew of airline lounges, including VIP rooms and business conference halls. These make it convenient for the passengers who are travelling with first-class and business-class tickets. The lounge also has spas and upscale restaurants to make it a good experience for travellers.

Medical services - Medical services such as emergency teams and pharmacies are also available at the airport. You can visit the information desk to find out more about their paramedic services. Pharmacies are also present at the departures and arrivals sections of the terminals. This is to ensure that an emergency situation is catered to immediately.

Nursing rooms - For new mothers with infants, dedicated nursing rooms have also been installed. The rooms are perfectly hygienic and sanitized to ensure that the mothers feel safe about the environment. The area also has baby products and essentials such as baby powders and diapers.

Special assistance - Special assistance and porter services are also offered at the airport. In fact, you can inform your airlines about the services you require which need special assistance and the airport would provide you with the same.

Smoking zone - To keep the air of the airport fresh, they have restricted smoking in public. There are dedicated smoking rooms in the airport lounge that you can visit. In case you do not have any on you. Provisions to purchase the same is also available.

How to reach Istanbul Airport

Public Transport

Much recently, the Istanbul Airport worked on bringing forth a dedicated public transportation link that would be connected to the city. There are many scheduled rides that would reach you to the Istanbul Airport as well as the city. There are taxis and other public transportations that are available at the airport. Not to mention how you can find them from anywhere in the main city too. You can find bus routes to take to reach the Istanbul Airport on their website.

Rentals and taxis

You can find taxis and rental cars that would reach you to Istanbul Airport. It might be nice to take up cars and taxis for a relaxed departure. It is essential for you to plan your route in advance to make sure that you reach the Istanbul Airport on time. Maps would guide you perfectly to the airport. It is essential that you keep a check on the traffic that the Istanbul city possesses. Since Istanbul is known to be extremely crowded and busy at all times, it would be best to plan a route in advance to reach the Istanbul Airport without any delay in the schedule. The airport does offer 24/7 taxi service that can be found at several counters. You can book a ride from the departures as well as the arrivals.