Flight Routes from London to Istanbul

Compare cheap outbound and return flights from London (LON) to Istanbul (IST) and find the best offer from numerous airlines and travel agencies.

Trip type
Cheapest roundtrip flight
from€82
Fastest outbound flight
Fastest inbound flight
non-stop flights
201x / week
Flight distance
2,497 km
Time difference
Airports in London
  1. Heathrow
  2. Gatwick
  3. Stansted
  4. Luton
  5. City
  6. Southend
Most popular airlines
  1. Turkish AirlinesTurkish Airlines
  2. British AirwaysBritish Airways
  3. Wizz Air UKWizz Air UK
  4. Air TransatAir Transat

Flight schedule from London (LON) to Istanbul (IST)

Select a travel date in the flight schedule for the route from London (LON) to Istanbul (IST) and compare affordable flight deals.

offers
Active filtersnone
Matching outbound flightsLON–IST · 79 of 79
fromto
dep.arr.
durationstopovers
  1. 14 – 20 September 2026
  2. 21 – 27 September 2026
  3. 28 Sept – 4 Oct 2026
    1. LHRIST
      non-stop
      1. British Airways
    2. LHRIST
      non-stop
      1. British Airways
    3. STNIST
      non-stop
      1. Air Transat
    4. LHRIST
      non-stop
      1. Air Transat
    5. LHRIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    6. LHRIST
      1 stopover
      1. Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT
    7. LHRIST
      1 stopover
      1. Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT
    8. LHRIST
      1 stopover
      1. Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT
    9. LGWIST
      1 stopover
      1. Vueling Airlines
    10. STNIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    11. LTNIST
      non-stop
      1. Wizz Air UK
    12. LGWIST
      non-stop
      1. Air Transat
    13. LGWIST
      non-stop
      1. Turkish Airlines
    14. LTNIST
      non-stop
      1. Wizz Air UK
    15. LGWIST
      non-stop
      1. Air Transat

      Tips and tricks to help you find cheap flights from London to Istanbul

      Favourite airline: Wizz Air UK
      65 % of travellers choose to book flights on this route with Wizz Air UK, British Airways and KLM.
      Wizz Air UK
      41 %
      British Airways
      14 %
      KLM
      10 %
      Cheapest weekday: e.g. Saturday
      Flight prices fluctuate during the week. Flights are 28 % cheaper on Monday and Saturday.
      Direct flights are the cheapest connection
      Direct flights on this route are £60.00 cheaper on average than flights with a stopover.
      non stop flight
      1 stop
      04h 05min
      10h 30min
      58 £
      118 £
      The favourite connection is non-stop
      Direct flights are especially popular on this route. 63 % of travellers will book a non-stop flight.
      Route
      bookings
      Direct flights
      04h 05min, from 58 £
      63 %
      1 stopover Amsterdam Schiphol
      19h 15min, from 214 £
      11 %
      1 stopover Belgrade (Beograd)
      18h 10min, from 173 £
      9 %

      Useful information about the flight from London to Istanbul

      Flights from London to historic Istanbul

      With its unique mix of cultures, Istanbul is a vibrant cosmopolitan centre. Turkey's largest city attracts many visitors, keen to discover its historic monuments and museums, as well as its restaurants and nightlife.

      When is a good time to travel to Istanbul?

      Istanbul is a rewarding city to visit all through the year, but the most popular time is between May and October, when the climate is at its best. November can be cooler and wet. The city is at its most exciting during the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day on 19th May. Other major occasions include Republic Day on 29th October, and the festivals of Eid and Ramadan, dates of which vary. Whenever you visit, it is worth taking a trip to the Prince Islands. But leave the car behind, as only horse-drawn carriages are permitted here. 

      What do you need to know for an Istanbul holiday?

      British nationals visiting Istanbul need a visa, which is available online. When applying, it's important to check that passports will still be valid for at least 6 months after arrival in Turkey. Vaccinations are recommended to guard against hepatitis A, diphtheria, typhus and tetanus.

      When shopping at markets, such as the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar, be prepared to haggle over the price. Because haggling is a tradition, the goods are often overpriced to start with. Fans of fast food will be in heaven here, with snacks starting from around 2 TRY. Kebabs cost from about 8 TRY, while beer prices are from 6 TRY upwards. However, fish dishes can be pricey. The time zone in the city is two hours ahead of the UK (GMT +2).

      What is local transport in Istanbul like?

      Istanbul has an inexpensive and excellent public transport network, including buses, minibuses, metro and metrobus services as well as trams and ferries. Travel is made simpler by the Istanbulkart, which can be used on all types of public transport and recharged as necessary. 

      After arriving at the airport, you can take the shuttle buses operated by Havata or IETT from the airport terminal floor -2.  Fares are priced at around 50 TRY. Taking a taxi ride to the centre will cost around 200 TRY. Journey times vary greatly but will be at least 40 minutes.

      Taxis cost more than public transport, but are still cheaper than those in the UK.

      There is a wide choice of accommodation in Turkey's premier city, with a night in a guesthouse or hostel costing from about 30 TRY upwards. Popular districts to stay include Eminönü, near to the Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque, and Beyoğlu, in the neighbourhood of Taksim Square and İstiklâl Caddesi.

      Important flight information

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

      How long is the flight from London to Istanbul?
      A direct flight from London to Istanbul typically takes around 4 hours 55 minutes. If you choose a connecting flight, you should allow more time. Typical one-stop journeys take around 7 hours. For the quickest journey, a direct flight is usually the most comfortable choice.
      Are there direct flights from London to Istanbul?
      Yes, there are direct flights from London to Istanbul, with an average of around 28 to 29 flights per day, operated by, among others, Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Wizz Air UK. If you want to travel without a stopover, it is worth filtering specifically for direct flights when searching.
      Which airlines fly from London to Istanbul?
      Direct flights from London to Istanbul are operated by, among others, Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Wizz Air UK. There are also connecting flights with one stop, for example with Air France (via Paris - Charles de Gaulle), PLL LOT (via Warsaw) and Air Europa (via Madrid). If a short travel time matters to you, a direct flight is usually the most convenient option. Connecting flights often give you more choice of departure times and airlines.
      On which days are there direct flights from London to Istanbul?
      Direct flights from London to Istanbul operate daily. The schedule may vary by season, so it is worth comparing several travel dates. If your preferred day has no direct service, nearby departure days or short connecting flights may be a good alternative.
      How many flights are there per day from London to Istanbul?
      From London to Istanbul there are on average around 28 to 29 flights per day. This usually means you have a good choice of departure times. Particularly if you are flexible, you can easily compare times, prices and airlines.
      How many flights per week are there from London to Istanbul?
      From London to Istanbul there are around 200 to 201 flights per week. This means you usually have suitable connections to choose from on several days and at various times. As well as price, it is worth comparing flight duration, airline and any potential additional charges.
      When does the first flight from London to Istanbul depart?
      The earliest direct flight from London to Istanbul usually departs at 06:05. The exact departure time may vary by day of the week and airline. Early flights are particularly useful if you want to make the most of your arrival day in Istanbul.
      When does the last flight from London to Istanbul depart?
      The last direct flight from London to Istanbul usually departs at 22:40. Late flights can be convenient if you want to travel after work or in the evening. Do check whether it is a direct flight, as a connecting service could push the arrival time significantly later.
      Which airline is most commonly chosen for flights from London to Istanbul?
      For flights from London to Istanbul, offers from Wizz Air UK, Turkish Airlines and British Airways are chosen most frequently. This reflects which airlines have been particularly popular with users on this route over the past year. Whether an airline suits you also depends on price, flight times, baggage and possible stopovers.
      In which months do idealo users most frequently search for flights from London to Istanbul?
      Flights from London to Istanbul are most frequently searched for travel in September, April and March. If you are planning to fly in one of these months, it may be worth comparing offers early. Outside the most popular months, you may find more choice or cheaper connections.
      Which departure days are most popular for flights from London to Istanbul?
      For flights from London to Istanbul, departures on Monday, Thursday and Sunday are particularly in demand. Demand can be higher on popular travel days, so it is worth checking alternative departure days. You may find more suitable flight times or cheaper offers.
      How long is the typical stay on trips from London to Istanbul?
      For trips from London to Istanbul, stays of 4, 3 and 7 days are most commonly searched. These trip lengths are particularly popular with idealo users on this route.
      Which airports near Istanbul are frequently chosen as a destination?
      If you want to travel to Istanbul, Istanbul - Sabiha Gökcen may also be worth considering as destination airports. These airports are frequently checked by users as an alternative. When comparing, consider whether a cheaper flight is really worth a longer onward journey.

      Discover more flights around London and Istanbul

      Departure airport Airport London (LCY, LGW, LHR, LTN, STN, SEN) (LON)
      Arrival airport Airport Istanbul (IST)
      Destination country Flights to Turkey
      Departure airport - Destination country London (LCY, LGW, LHR, LTN, STN, SEN) - Turkey
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