Flying from London to Istanbul: what you need to know
When organising a flight from London to Istanbul, you'll have a good selection of airports to take off from. Check out London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) for your departure. Other possibilities include Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY).
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's chief entry points.
A direct flight from London to Istanbul takes an average of 3 hours 59 minutes. The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which makes it 3 hours ahead of London.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 240 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from London to Istanbul is with Turkish Airlines at 22:35. Opt for the first LHR to IST departure operated by British Airways at 06:15 to maximise your time in Istanbul.
To ensure you catch your flight from London to Istanbul, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
You don't need a visa for Türkiye (Turkey) if you hold a passport from United Kingdom and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can be subject to change. So before organising your cheap flights from London to Istanbul, be sure to check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the latest information.
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Begin your journey at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), which has a selection of direct flights from London to Istanbul. From LHR, you can fly straight into Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Turkish Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from London to Istanbul leaving from LHR.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even visit a new city. When searching for flights from London to Istanbul departing from London Heathrow Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
LHR is about 31 kilometres from central London. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 57 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be approximately 1 hour and 1 minute.
After a leisurely start to your break? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from London to Istanbul or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
It's also possible to take a direct flight from London to Istanbul out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Connections from LGW will take you straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Take a direct flight from London to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. This is one of the top airlines that operates this route out of LGW.
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your flight from London to Istanbul. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your list. Whatever your plans, check out these options between London Heathrow Airport and Istanbul:
Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
You can reach LGW from the centre of London in approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes to travel the 80 kilometres or so.
Get your holiday started early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from London to Istanbul, take it easy in one of these hotels near London Gatwick Airport:
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is about 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from London to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is located around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from London to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 57 minutes.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After your flight from London to Istanbul, rest your head at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Istanbul
ر.ق. 131 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from London to Istanbul. Return flights start at ر.ق. 249. These fares can change based on demand and availability.
To secure cheap tickets from London to Istanbul, book your trip 5 months ahead of the departure date.
The cheapest month for flight tickets from London to Istanbul is January. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Set up a Price Alert for cheap tickets from London to Istanbul. You don't need to search every day to see if prices have fallen. We'll update you the moment there's a change in price.
Use filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from London to Istanbul, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from London to Istanbul. To escape the crowds, go to Istanbul in February.
When booking your flight from London to Istanbul, think about the type of weather you like. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from London to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from London to Istanbul, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from London to Istanbul to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Istanbul, from the most popular car type to the average daily price.
