Flying from Istanbul to London: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports to choose from in Istanbul. Check out your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when reserving your flight from Istanbul to London.
London has a range of airports you can jet into. Land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). Alternatively, arrive at London Luton Airport (LTN) or London City Airport (LCY).
Hop on a direct Istanbul to London flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 4 hours 15 minutes.
The timezone in London is UTC+0, which is three hours behind Istanbul.
With 62 flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Istanbul to London with British Airways at 07:35. If you prefer to get more out of your day before taking off, the last departure from IST to LHR is with Turkish Airlines at 21:10.
Leave enough time to get on your Istanbul to London flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling over a peak time like August? Major public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to London
At the moment, Rs8,713 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to London. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs17,503. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book nine months before your departure date. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Istanbul to London flights.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to London is December. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the lowest fares.
Locking in a cheap flight from Istanbul to London is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Istanbul to London flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can travel directly to London leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Here are some airports you can reach in one trip when searching for a flight from Istanbul to London:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Luton Airport (LTN)
Choose from a variety of airlines that offer direct Istanbul to London plane tickets out of IST. Claim your seat with one of these carriers:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and maybe even visit a new city. When browsing Istanbul to London flights departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul to London? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Looking for a direct flight from Istanbul to London departing from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? Settle into your seat and fly nonstop from SAW to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Stansted Airport (STN).
SAW has a range of airlines offering direct Istanbul to London plane tickets. Hop on board with any of these carriers:
Break up your Istanbul to London flight with a stop so you can freshen up or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some popular stopovers between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and London are:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
You can reach SAW from the centre of Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 31 kilometres or so.
It's your holiday, so why not enjoy an extra night away? Consider checking in to one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to London:
77% of flights leaving Sabiha Gokcen International Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is approximately 23 kilometres from central London. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 55 minutes.
Getting there by public transport takes roughly 1 hour.
Consider staying in a hotel close to LHR if you have a late flight from Istanbul to London. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Go where the road takes you with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and find adventure across London and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport about one week before your travel date.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Central London is located around 40 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). As soon as your flight from Istanbul to London has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 1 hour 20 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the centre in 30 minutes or so.
After your flight from Istanbul to London, rest your head at a hotel close to LGW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a London Gatwick Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Green Motion, U-Save or Drivalia and get going in the blink of an eye.
Avoid potential price surges. Securing your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at LGW will save you money.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Hop off your flight from Istanbul to London and head directly to your hotel or jump right into exploring. The centre of London is around 48 kilometres from Stansted Airport (STN) and takes roughly 1 hour to drive there.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Enjoy a low-stress, comfortable start to your break by staying at a hotel near STN after your Istanbul to London flight. Rest up after a long day of travel or simply take a moment to get your bearings in a new destination at:
Whether you want an economy for a solo trip or an SUV to transport your group, you'll find the ideal Stansted Airport rental car for you. Check out wheels available from suppliers such as Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
About four weeks before your flight from Istanbul to London is the ideal time to secure your vehicle from STN. You're more likely to lock in a better rate or pick up some early bird promotions.
Best time to go to London
February is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to London, while July is the busiest. Pick the ideal time to go to London based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in London is July, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC and 26ºC. Book your Istanbul to London ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Istanbul to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to London, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring London:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are must-visits when exploring London.
Explore more of United Kingdom
London has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of United Kingdom just waiting to be explored. Around 161 kilometres north-west of London, a trip to Birmingham will fill your itinerary to the brim. Check out popular attractions like Cadbury World, The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre.
If you're looking to explore another major stop in United Kingdom, consider Bristol, about 177 kilometres west of London. Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park are the start of reasons to visit.
