Flights from London Heathrow to Istanbul

Why visit Istanbul?

The cosmopolitan city of Istanbul in Turkey is a great place to visit. It has fascinating history, culture, breathtaking views, stunning landmarks and lively night life. East meets West is why so many people choose Istanbul as their number one holiday destination.

When should you go to Istanbul?

To enjoy the warm climate, the summer months of May to October are the best time to travel. You could plan your break in Istanbul to coincide with one of the many Istanbul holidays and festivals. The 29th of October is Republic Day while the 19th of May commemorates Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day. Travelling to Istanbul out of peak season provides cheaper accommodation and travel options. It's also less crowded which gives you more opportunity to see places of interest like the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace and the Galata Tower.

Useful information before you get to Istanbul

British Nationals need a visa and passports should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Turkey. There's plenty of online info regarding visas and vaccinations such as hepatitis A, diptheria, typhus and tetanus. Set your watch two hours ahead so you're on the right timeline. The cost of living in Istanbul is a little cheaper than London especially for snacks, kebabs and beer. Stay safe in Istanbul, the traffic can be quite busy and unpredictable. When visiting the city's Grand Bazaar and remember to haggle. Goods are often over priced so haggling will help to bring the price down.

How many airpots are there in Istanbul?

Transport from Istanbul Airport is quite cheap and easy to find. Go to floor -2 at the terminal buidling to take HAVATA or IETT shuttle buses into the centre of the city for 50 TRY or thereabouts. You can always take a taxi to the city centre for about 200 TRY. The trip from Istanbul airport to the centre of Istanbul will take at least 40 minutes.

There's a good choice of accommodation in the city's districts of Eminonu nor far from the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar. Beyoglu near Taksim Square and Istiklal Caddesi also has cheap accommodation, one night in a guest house hostel here is about 30 TRY. Istanbul has a good, cheap public transport network system. Travel around the city by bus, minibus, metro or tram. Taxis are a little more expensive than public transport but cheaper than in the UK.