What October feels like in Istanbul
Mid-autumn arrives in Istanbul with October. The middle of the day is pleasantly mild. There is little difference between day and night: nights stay mild, and evenings feel much like the afternoon. The air is fairly humid, though at these temperatures it rarely feels oppressive.
Rain in Istanbul in October
Expect a mix of dry and wet days, with rain about one day in 3. A rainy day brings about 8.4 mm (0.3 in) on average — steady rain rather than a passing shower. Across the year Istanbul averages about 7 mm per rainy day, so October is typical. It is among the three wettest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in October
Mid-month, Istanbul gets 11 h 11 min of daylight, from sunrise near 7:14 am to sunset near 6:25 pm. Days are getting shorter: 1 h 21 min less daylight than in mid-September. About 74% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, there are plenty of bright spells.
How October compares to the rest of the year
October is the 6th warmest month of the year in Istanbul. Compared with September, afternoons are 5.4°C (9.7°F) cooler, with 28 mm more rain. Temperatures keep falling into November. The next month's average high: 15.5°C (59.9°F).
Who October suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — comfortable enough to explore on foot all day.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — comfortable for long walks and picnics.
- Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.
Tips for visiting Istanbul in October
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Sunglasses
Plenty of sun, so bring sunglasses and a cap.
Quick questions
How warm is Istanbul in October?
It feels mild: typical highs are 19.5°C (67.1°F), with lows near 14°C (57.2°F).
Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in October?
Quite a lot — 76 mm spread over about 9 days.
What should I wear in Istanbul in October?
Based on the averages: rain protection and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is October or November better for visiting Istanbul?
October scores better on our climate ranking (#6 of 12 vs #8), rated Great against Good. November is cooler and has fewer rainy days.