Türkiye · IST
Flights to Istanbul from the UK
Istanbul is a four-hour flight and one of the cheapest city breaks we quote, but it is also a major connecting hub — if you are travelling onwards to Africa or Asia, a stopover here often costs little more than a straight-through ticket.
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Flights from the UK to Istanbul
We quote every one of these by hand. Pick a departure airport and we will come back with the real fare on your dates.
Departure dates shown are examples and move forward automatically — we are not holding these seats. Prices, where shown, are indicative and change daily.
Airport
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Flight time
about 4h direct from London
Best time to go
April to June, and September to October
Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY)
Time zone
GMT+3
Country
Türkiye
Flight times are approximate and depend on the routing. Ask us for the exact schedule on your dates.
When to go to Istanbul
Based on the climate and the school and holiday calendar, not on fares. We have no live pricing — ask us for the actual cost on your dates.
Time in Istanbul
London
—
Istanbul
—
3 hours ahead of London · GMT+3
How long it takes to Istanbul
Usually connecting through
The cheapest fare is often the longest journey. Tell us which matters more and we will price both.
Flying to Istanbul from your airport
Journey length from each UK airport — hours, not fares.
- LHRLondon Heathrow4h
Direct — no change of plane
- LGWLondon Gatwick4h
Direct — no change of plane
- MANManchester4h
Direct — no change of plane
- BHXBirmingham4h
Direct — no change of plane
- EDIEdinburgh4h
Direct — no change of plane
- GLAGlasgow7h–10h
via Frankfurt or Amsterdam
Leaving from a regional airport usually means one stop — sometimes cheaper than the train to Heathrow, sometimes not. Ask us and we will price both.
Who flies to Istanbul
These are the carriers we most often quote on this route. The cheapest is rarely the same one twice, which is the reason to let us check rather than assume.
Turkish Airlines
British Airways
Pegasus
AJetBefore you travel to Istanbul
Entry
British passport holders can normally enter for short stays without a visa. Other nationalities vary.
Health
No special certificate is normally required.
How far ahead to start
Real lead times for Istanbul — the parts that cannot be rushed.
6 weeks before
Visa
Applications for Istanbul are among the slower ones we handle. Starting early costs nothing; starting late can cost the trip.
On the day you book
Travel insurance
Cancellation cover only protects you against what happens after the policy starts, so buying it later leaves a gap.
1 week before
Confirm baggage
Extra allowance bought in advance costs far less than at the airport desk — the usual sting on this route.
24 hours before
Check in
Seats fill fast on busy routes and families get split up. Confirm the schedule at the same time.
Requirements depend on your nationality, not where you live, and they change without notice. Confirm yours at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before booking anything non-refundable — or just ask us. Our travel guide covers passports, visas and vaccinations in full.
What does Istanbul cost right now?
Fares on this route move daily and differ by UK departure airport. Tell us your dates and we will come back with a real price — including baggage, which is where these routes usually catch people out.
Flying to Istanbul — your questions
The things people ask us most about this route. Anything else, just call 020 4618 3838.
The direct flight is about 4h direct from London. With one stop it is typically 7–10 hours depending on the layover, so the cheapest ticket is often the longest day.
Emirates
Qatar AirwaysTurkish Airlines
Kenya Airways
Ethiopian AirlinesBritish Airways
Saudia
Etihad Airways
KLM
Lufthansa
Virgin AtlanticEmiratesQatar AirwaysTurkish AirlinesKenya AirwaysEthiopian AirlinesBritish AirwaysSaudiaEtihad AirwaysKLMLufthansaVirgin Atlantic