Loading map...
IST → SZG
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Salzburg Airport (Salzburg)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the rugged Balkan Mountains and a spectacular entry into the Austrian Alps, providing a close-up look at the Dachstein massif and the Untersberg during the final approach.
Search flights from IST to SZG
Istanbul Coastline
Views of the Black Sea coast and the vast northern forests of Istanbul shortly after takeoff.
Balkan Mountains
A traversal over the dramatic ridges of the Stara Planina in Bulgaria and the Serbian highlands.
The Dachstein Massif
Stunning views of the limestone peaks and glaciers of the northern Limestone Alps during descent.
Untersberg Mountain
The iconic 'home mountain' of Salzburg appearing prominently as the aircraft aligns with the runway.
Sit on the left for the most dramatic mountain scenery. On the final approach into Salzburg, the aircraft often flies very close to the mountain walls, offering incredible scale. Afternoon flights offer the best lighting on the peaks, though morning flights provide softer shadows for photography. Watch for the change from the flat Pannonian Basin to the jagged Alpine peaks about 20 minutes before landing.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for Austria
Danube River Valley
Aerial views of the winding Danube river as it flows through the Balkan plains towards Central Europe.
Budapest Skyline
On clear days, the Hungarian capital's Parliament and bridges are visible from high altitude.
Salzkammergut Lakes
Brilliant turquoise views of Mondsee, Attersee, and Wolfgangsee during the descent phase.
Salzburg Cityscape
A panoramic view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Old Town if the plane loops from the north.
The right side is ideal for capturing the famous Austrian Lake District (Salzkammergut). If the pilot uses the standard Runway 15 approach from the north, you will see the rolling hills of the Flachgau region and the sprawling Lake Chiemsee in the distance. This side is also better for avoiding direct sun glare on flights departing Istanbul in the late afternoon.
Book Hotels in SalzburgDistance: 1,439 km (894 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 55 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: SZG (47.7933006287, 13.0043001175)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.