Travelling to Istanbul in January: weather, visa and cost
A public page built from stored data and updated monthly.
Last updated 1 November 2026
Weather in January
- 9°High
- 4°Low
- 10 daysof rain
Not the best time to go January is not the best time to go: expect heat, cold or rain.
In January the average high is 9°C and the low 4°C, with about 10 rainy days.
Visa for Gulf passports
- SaudiNo visa needed for tourism. Stay up to 90 days. Reviewed by hand on 20 October 2026 · Official source
- EmiratiNo visa needed for tourism. Stay up to 90 days. Reviewed by hand on 20 October 2026 · Official source
- KuwaitiNo visa needed for tourism. Stay up to 90 days. Reviewed by hand on 20 October 2026 · Official source
- QatariNo visa needed for tourism. Stay up to 90 days. Reviewed by hand on 20 October 2026 · Official source
- BahrainiNo visa needed for tourism. Stay up to 90 days. Reviewed by hand on 20 October 2026 · Official source
- OmaniNo visa needed for tourism. Stay up to 90 days. Reviewed by hand on 20 October 2026 · Official source
Estimated cost for 7 nights
- CoupleAbout 2,100 to 7,200 SAR without flights. Travellers: 2, nights: 7, spend level: mid-range.
- FamilyAbout 3,700 to 13,500 SAR without flights. Travellers: 5, nights: 7, spend level: mid-range.
Without flights: lodging, food, getting around and activities. Rounded, from stored price levels.
Direct flights from the Gulf
- Abu Dhabi (AUH) · about 5.3 hours · 24 flights a week
Round trip from 817.50 SAR per person, a price travellers saw on 29 October 2026 - Bahrain (BAH) · about 4.3 hours · 24 flights a week
- Dammam (DMM) · about 4.4 hours · 17 flights a week
Round trip from 1,188.75 SAR per person, a price travellers saw on 29 October 2026 - Doha (DOH) · about 4.6 hours · 45 flights a week
Round trip from 967.50 SAR per person, a price travellers saw on 29 October 2026 - Dubai (DXB) · about 5.2 hours · 91 flights a week
Round trip from 1,125 SAR per person, a price travellers saw on 29 October 2026 - Jeddah (JED) · about 4.3 hours · 84 flights a week
Round trip from 997.50 SAR per person, a price travellers saw on 30 October 2026 - Kuwait (KWI) · about 3.8 hours · 37 flights a week
Round trip from 720 SAR per person, a price travellers saw on 31 October 2026 - Muscat (MCT) · about 5.6 hours · 15 flights a week
Round trip from 776.25 SAR per person, a price travellers saw on 26 October 2026 - Madinah (MED) · about 3.8 hours · 45 flights a week
Round trip from 1,185 SAR per person, a price travellers saw on 30 October 2026 - Riyadh (RUH) · about 4.6 hours · 57 flights a week
Approximate prices of the month's cheapest round trip seen by Aviasales users; they may change when you book.
Questions travellers ask
What is the weather like in Istanbul in January?
In January the average high is 9°C and the low 4°C, with about 10 rainy days.
Is January a good time to visit Istanbul?
January is not the best time to go: expect heat, cold or rain.
Does a Saudi passport need a visa for Istanbul?
No visa needed for tourism. Stay up to 90 days.
Are there direct flights from the Gulf to Istanbul?
Yes, direct flights from Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Madinah, Riyadh, in about 3.8 hours.
How much do 7 nights in Istanbul cost?
About 2,100 to 7,200 SAR without flights. Travellers: 2, nights: 7, spend level: mid-range.
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