Cheap Flights from London to Istanbul

Istanbul, in recent years, has become a popular tourist and business destination for travellers from around the world. Flights London to Istanbul are becoming more in demand as several airlines offer multiple flights a day. No matter it's first class luxury or cheap flexible fare the passenger is after, Trip.com has it covered.

Flights London to Istanbul: Flight time and Schedule

London to Istanbul flight time/duration ranges from 3 hrs 40 mins to 4 hrs 10 mins. The earliest flight departs from London (LHR) at 06:45 and arrives in Istanbul (IST) at 12:40. The latest flight departs from London (LHR) at 18:20 and arrives in Istanbul (IST) at 00:10. As there are between 15-18 daily direct flights London to Istanbul and over 226 flights each week, passengers are spoiled for choice with great deals, ticket options and airlines. Get the latest information and updates on the flight schedule of London to Istanbul flights.

• Average flight time: 3 hrs 51 mins
• Flights per week: approx. 226
• Time difference between London and Istanbul: 2 hrs (GMT+3)

If you are looking to check your London to Istanbul flight today, you can easily get the latest information and updates on the flight schedule of London to Istanbul flights here.

Airlines flying from London to Istanbul

There are at least 9 airlines that offer London to Istanbul direct flights. Whether passengers are looking for budget or national airlines, there are plenty of options available, such as Turkish Airlines, British Airways, American Airlines, Air Canada and Pegasus Airlines. If passengers don’t mind one stopover en route to Istanbul, more airline choices are offered, such as London to Istanbul flights Lufthansa and London to Istanbul flights Air France.

To find the cheapest flight from London to Istanbul, Wizz Air UK is a prominent low-cost airline opearating flights from London Gatwick (LGW), starting at £28. Turkish Airlines is another popular airline that offers frequent flights from London to Istanbul, departing from London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stanssted to Istanbul airports (Istanbul International Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport). For passengers leaving London who prefer to fly British, London to Istanbul flights British Airways also has 2-3 daily direct flights to Istanbul International Airport.

London to Istanbul flight price

While London to Istanbul flight price/cost varies based on the time of the year, airline and flight types, there’re many great airfare deals to be had for this popular route. The lowest price for London to Istanbul direct flights or London to Istanbul flights one way can be purchased for only £28, while the best deal for flights from London to Istanbul return is as low as £37. For those who prefer to travel business or first class, London to Istanbul first class flights start from £273 one way.

The peak season for flights London to Istanbul is the month of September when the cheapest fare starts from £109. In contrast, for those looking for a bargain, the lowest fare can be found for only £28, and the cheapest month to travel from London to Istanbul is January.

For cheap fares of the week, by analyzing data from all airlines on Trip.com, passengers can find the lowest flight prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

• Cheapest direct one way: £28
• Cheapest direct return: £37
• Cheapest month to book flights: January
• Most expensive month to book flights: September

Departure from London Airports

There are six major airports in the Greater London area, and flights London to Istanbul depart from 3 of them: Gatwick Airport (LGW), Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Stansted Airport (STN). Travellers can easily reach the airports by taxi, private transfer or public transportation. But the fastest and most convenient ways to get to these airports include 15 minutes by Heathrow Express train from London Paddington, 30 minutes by Gatwick Express from London Victoria and 47 minutes by Stansted Express train from London Liverpool Street. Here are the transport information for three airports you may depart from:

Gatwick Airport (LGW) is located 45 kilometres from downtown and features two terminals. Gatwick is easily accessible in several ways, ensuring a seamless journey from London city centre, no matter your transport.

• Gatwick Express:
• Time: Approx. 30 mins
• Starting Point: London Victoria Station
• Price: Single ticket around £19.90, return ticket around £36.70
• Frequency: Every 15 minutes

Heathrow Airport (LHR), situated 23 kilometres west of London’s city centre, has five terminals, handling flights from all over the world and offering a vast array of facilities. Travellers can reach the airport via the Heathrow Express train, which takes about 15 minutes from Paddington Station.

• Heathrow Express
• Time: Approx. 15-20 minutes
• Starting Point: London Paddington station
• Price: £25 one-way if purchased in advance, £37 if bought on the day of travel
• Frequency: Every 15 minutes.

London Stansted Airport (STN), located approximately 42 miles from Central London, is an international airport primarily serving low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air or Ryanair. The airport has one single terminal which handles all arrivals and departures and provides various facilities and services.

• Stansted Express
• Time: Approximately 45-50 minutes
• Starting Point: London Liverpool Street
• Price: £19.90 one-way if purchased in advance, up to £30 if bought on the day of travel
• Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes.

Arrival at Istanbul Airports

Upon arrival in Istanbul, flights London to Istanbul will land at Istanbul’s two airports, Istanbul International Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). The IST is the main international airport serving Istanbul, which is located on the European side of the city, about 54 km (approx. 33 miles) from the city centre. Visitors have two transport options to reach downtown. One is by a local taxi or private transfer (approx. 50 minutes). Alternatively, local buses will take between 1 hr 50 mins to 1 hr 50 mins, depending on traffic. From SAW, taxis are available from the taxi rank outside the arrival terminal (approx. journey time 1 hour). Also located outside the airport arrivals terminal, visitors can opt for the privately-owned bus service, Havabus shuttle, to the tourist centre in Taksim (approx. journey time 90 minutes).

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Best time to fly to Istanbul

The best seasons to visit Istanbul are Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). The weather is pleasant, with average temperature ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) in spring and 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) in autumn. During these periods, the crowds are manageable and the hotel rates are also reasonable. The peak tourist season is June to August, while the cheapest months are December through February.

Attractions to visit in Istanbul

Istanbul is an old and vibrant city with over 2500 years of history and cultural heritage. The only metropolis in the world that straddles two continents, visitors will be surrounded by sights, sounds and tastes that are exotic and welcoming. There are various ancient and modern attractions to explore in Istanbul, here are just a few on the top of the list. Travellers can’t say they’ve been to Istanbul without seeing the breathtaking Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Mosque. Originally built in 537 AD as a church, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire. Nearby, visitors can marvel at the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Cami) with its towering minarets and grand architectural designs. For those who love to shop, don’t miss the maze-like Grand Bazaar lined with rows of shops and stalls selling every local handicraft you could think of. If that’s not enough, the Spice Bazaar and Arasta Bazaar are also within walkable distance.

For more travel experiences, tips, and places to eat and stay, check out Istanbul Travel Guide. Also, take a look at these great offers and discounted Istanbul tours and tickets.

Book cheap London to Istanbul flight and hotel

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