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TXL → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Berlin-Tegel Airport (Berlin) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior sequence of historic European capitals and the most dramatic mountain vistas across the Carpathians, ending with a high probability of seeing the Bosphorus and Istanbul's historic center on approach.
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Dresden
The historic 'Florence on the Elbe' with its distinctive baroque architecture visible shortly after takeoff.
Prague
The Vltava river winding through the 'City of a Hundred Spires' is often visible on a clear day to the southwest.
Budapest & The Danube
Stunning views of the Hungarian Parliament and the chain bridges spanning the wide Danube River.
Transylvanian Alps
The jagged and high-altitude peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountains in Romania.
Istanbul Peninsula
Breathtaking views of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Golden Horn if the flight path follows a southern approach.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights as the sun will be positioned behind the aircraft or to the left. For the best experience, monitor the flight map as you cross the Danube; the views of the Carpathians are particularly striking in winter. When landing at IST, if the wind is from the north, you may get a full panoramic view of the Bosphorus strait.
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Spreewald Biosphere
A unique landscape of small forest islands and hundreds of tiny canals located just south of Berlin.
High Tatras
The snow-capped peaks forming the natural border between Poland and Slovakia, visible in the distance.
Black Sea Coastline
Dramatic views where the rugged Balkan mountains meet the turquoise waters of the Black Sea near the Turkish border.
Northern Bosphorus
The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the northernmost bridge connecting Europe and Asia, often visible during the final descent.
Choose the left side for morning departures to minimize glare and capture the sharp shadows over the High Tatras. On the approach to Istanbul Airport, this side provides the best view of the Black Sea's vastness before the plane turns inland.
Get eSIMs for Germany
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 1,712 km (1,064 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 17 min
Departure: TXL (52.5597, 13.2877)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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