Flying from Istanbul Airport (IST) to London: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 3 hours 50 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to London.
The timezone in London is UTC+0. The city is three hours behind Istanbul, where Istanbul Airport is located.
Istanbul Airport (IST) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most popular route, with 62 flights a week to choose from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from IST to LHR is with Turkish Airlines at 21:10. Go for the first departure with British Airways at 07:35 if you want to get on your way earlier.
For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your IST to London flight.
Flying over a peak time such as August? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Book a direct Istanbul Airport to London ticket and make your trip as simple as possible. IST offers nonstop flights to these London airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Stansted Airport (STN)
You can choose from a variety of carriers operating direct flights from Istanbul Airport to London, including:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even visit a new city. When searching for plane tickets from IST to London, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Located around 32 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car (depending on traffic). Travelling on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
In search of a hotel near IST? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul Airport to London, these stays set you up for a seamless send-off:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to London
The best price we've found for a one-way Istanbul Airport to London flight is Rs11,263. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs22,454. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Score cheap flights from IST to London by booking seven months ahead. Based on our research, that's the best time for picking up a bargain.
December is the best month for landing an amazing deal on Istanbul Airport to London tickets. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from IST to London by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Istanbul Airport to London.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is around 24 kilometres from central London. If you're grabbing a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 45 minutes.
Travelling on public transport takes around 25 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul Airport to London. Check in to one of these accommodation options near LHR instead:
To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport about one week ahead of your flight from IST to London.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Once your flight from Istanbul Airport to London has touched down, you can get to the city centre in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central London is roughly 48 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
Travelling by public transport will take about 1 hour 20 minutes.
There are some comfortable places ready to welcome you near LGW. Unwind and get cosy after your IST to London flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Get the lowest price by reserving your ride from LGW three weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
Hop off your flight from Istanbul Airport to London and make your way to your hotel or start discovering the city right away. The centre of London is around 56 kilometres from London Stansted Airport (STN) and usually takes 1 hour 5 minutes to reach driving.
Public transport can take you there in about 45 minutes.
Enjoy a quiet, low-key start to your trip by choosing a hotel near STN after your IST to London flight. Recharge after a day of travel or just take a moment to get your bearings in a new city at:
If you're looking for a vehicle with specific features, lock in your ride from STN around four weeks ahead of your flight from Istanbul Airport to London. This gives you a better chance of getting the car you want, along with a better price.
Best time to go to London
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Istanbul Airport to London. July is the most popular month to travel to London. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in January.
Book a Istanbul Airport to London plane ticket with a departure in July if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 11ºC to 26ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from IST to London in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC and 9ºC on average.
More about London
Start your London trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Istanbul Airport to London, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Westminster Abbey, The British Museum and Big Ben are attractions you won't want to skip in London.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
You've done London, now it's time to discover more of the United Kingdom. Travel about 257 kilometres northwest to Manchester to tick off its must-visit sights. From Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour to The Homes of Football and Museum of Science and Industry, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Birmingham is another sought-after destination in the United Kingdom and is around 161 kilometres northwest of London. No trip is complete without dropping by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and Bournville Experience.