Flying from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
You can select from a number of airports when planning a flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Explore your options for jetting out of London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) also operate in London.
Take a direct flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport and you'll be in the air for around 3 hours 54 minutes.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul. The city operates in the UTC+3 timezone and is 3 hours ahead of London.
The busiest route is from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), with 240 direct weekly services. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from LHR to IST is the 06:05 Wizz Air UK service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 22:35 with Turkish Airlines.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from London to IST. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
Head to the airport even earlier during popular months like July. Aim for two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights. Once you've checked in, you can use any extra time to finalize your plans or simply relax.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) provides a hassle-free way to reach your destination. Nonstop flights from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) take off from this terminal.
When leaving from LHR, you can take a direct flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with British Airways.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for flights from London to IST leaving from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
The distance from central London to LHR is approximately 31 kilometres. Use travel apps like Google Maps for the fastest way to get there, whether that's in your own car or with public transport.
After a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Planning to leave from London Gatwick Airport (LGW)? You can reserve a direct flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) departing from this hub.
When setting off from LGW, you can pick from numerous airlines that fly straight to your destination. Book a seat on a direct flight from London to IST with any of these:
Split up your flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport with a stop so you can freshen up or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some popular stopovers between London Gatwick Airport and IST include:
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Sofia Airport (SOF)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Using public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in about 1 hour and 26 minutes. The airport is roughly 80 kilometres away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from London to IST? Kick back in a hotel near London Gatwick Airport before your break officially begins. Consider one of these stays:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you have a late flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these options near IST:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport to the centre of Istanbul takes around 50 minutes in a car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away. Find out what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing services.
It typically takes 1 hour and 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
ر.ق. 121 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Return flights start from ر.ق. 246. Fares are subject to availability and may change at any time.
To secure cheap tickets from London to IST, reserve your trip 4 months ahead of your departure.
January is the cheapest month for tickets from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, use the 'Whole month' search feature to see the lowest prices across every month.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flight tickets from London to IST. There's no need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped. We'll tell you when the price changes.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Simply enter your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
The best time to fly from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
August is the busiest month for flights from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. To skip the crowds, head for Istanbul in February when it's quieter.
Before booking a flight from London to IST, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
For cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, browse our range of hotels including:
Topkapi Palace and The Basilica Cistern are just a couple of the top-rated attractions to add to your Istanbul to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Galata Tower.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from London to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, next up is choosing one of our car rentals in Istanbul. Explore the exclusive deals and easily compare options on price, pick-up convenience, and more.
