LON - IST

$114 Find Cheap Flights from London to Istanbul – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$223
Typical prices: $194-$505
Wizz Air
Sat 29/9Sun 7/10
LGW - IST • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$114
Typical prices: $148-$384
Wizz Air
Thu 4/10
LTN - IST • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Turkish Airlines, British Airways, and Wizz Air. Average duration is 3h 55m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 31% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 91% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 9 weeks in advance save around 41% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 52% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $237 (return)
Shortest trip • 7h 14m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Istanbul Airport!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from London to Istanbul (LON-IST)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from London to Istanbul

Tue, 29 Sep - Wed, 7 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
13:30 - 19:30LGW  London Gatwick-IST Istanbul
4h 00mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
20:10 - 22:20IST  Istanbul-LGW London Gatwick
4h 10mdirect
$223Wizz Air
Fri, 2 Oct - Thu, 8 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
13:30 - 19:30LGW  London Gatwick-IST Istanbul
4h 00mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
20:10 - 22:15IST  Istanbul-LGW London Gatwick
4h 05mdirect
$224Wizz Air
Mon, 12 Oct - Thu, 15 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
07:00 - 13:10LTN  London Luton-IST Istanbul
4h 10mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
13:50 - 16:00IST  Istanbul-LTN London Luton
4h 10mdirect
$226Wizz Air
Mon, 5 Oct - Wed, 14 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
13:30 - 19:30LGW  London Gatwick-IST Istanbul
4h 00mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
12:05 - 14:15IST  Istanbul-LGW London Gatwick
4h 10mdirect
$226Wizz Air
Mon, 28 Sep - Fri, 2 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
13:30 - 19:30LGW  London Gatwick-IST Istanbul
4h 00mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
20:10 - 22:20IST  Istanbul-LGW London Gatwick
4h 10mdirect
$227Wizz Air
Wed, 30 Sep - Sat, 3 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
13:30 - 19:30LGW  London Gatwick-IST Istanbul
4h 00mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
20:05 - 22:20IST  Istanbul-LGW London Gatwick
4h 15mdirect
$233Wizz Air
Wed, 30 Sep - Mon, 5 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
13:30 - 19:30LGW  London Gatwick-IST Istanbul
4h 00mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
20:10 - 22:15IST  Istanbul-LGW London Gatwick
4h 05mdirect
$234Wizz Air
Fri, 2 Oct - Sat, 3 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
07:05 - 13:10LTN  London Luton-IST Istanbul
4h 05mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
13:50 - 15:55IST  Istanbul-LTN London Luton
4h 05mdirect
$241Wizz Air
Fri, 2 Oct - Thu, 8 Oct
Wizz Air Logo
13:30 - 19:30LGW  London Gatwick-IST Istanbul
4h 00mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
20:10 - 22:15IST  Istanbul-LGW London Gatwick
4h 05mdirect
$241Wizz Air
Sat, 26 Sep - Mon, 28 Sep
Wizz Air Logo
07:05 - 13:10LTN  London Luton-IST Istanbul
4h 05mdirect
Wizz Air Logo
13:50 - 15:55IST  Istanbul-LTN London Luton
4h 05mdirect
$242Wizz Air
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for London to Istanbul Airport flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from London to Istanbul Airport with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from London to Istanbul Airport?

Return flights from London to Istanbul Airport start at $223. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from $194 to $505. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $223 on Wizz Air.

What is the cheapest London to Istanbul Airport flight route?

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the cheapest London to Istanbul Airport route, averaging $256 return. Other London to Istanbul Airport routes average $400, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from London to Istanbul Airport?

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from London to Istanbul Airport and is 4% cheaper than the average day. Tuesday is the most expensive day with flight prices 17% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Istanbul Airport?

  • November is the cheapest month to fly from London to Istanbul Airport at $155 return.
  • July ($475) and August ($467) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 206% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from London to Istanbul Airport the cheapest?

Flights from London to Istanbul Airport are cheapest 9 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 41% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for London to Istanbul Airport flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$114
Best time to beat the crowds (31% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (46% more expensive on average)
Flights from London Luton Airport to Istanbul Airport

When to book flights from London to Istanbul

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from London to Istanbul based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your London to Istanbul Airport flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • Are there onsite hotels at Atatürk Airport?

    The TAV Airport Hotel can be accessed via the terminal but also offers a free airport shuttle if you are staying landside (for this you need a visa). If you do not have a visa you will need to stay in the airside rooms in the hotel.

  • Which terminal at London Heathrow has flights from London to Istanbul?

    Turkish Airlines flies from T2 to Istanbul while British Airways flies from T5 which is the hub for the national carrier of the UK. Be sure to check which terminal you are flying out of before arriving at the airport.

  • Does Atatürk Airport have free WiFi access?

    WiFi access is free for two hours. However, in order to access this your mobile will need to be capable of receiving texts in Turkey. If this is impossible, international passengers can go to Starbucks which has free WiFi for customers, or alternatively you can pay for one of the lounges.

  • What is the safest way to get from Atatürk Airport to Istanbul centre?

    By far the safest and most comfortable option is the private transfer service. It can be pricey as the cost of this service is around EUR25 per person (approximately GBP22) one way, but the car will be for your group alone and could be more reliable than a taxi.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on London to Istanbul Airport flights?

    Among airlines operating London to Istanbul Airport flights:

    • Wizz Air: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Turkish Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from London to Istanbul Airport?

    3 airlines operate flights between London and Istanbul Airport. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • Turkish Airlines
    • British Airways
    • Wizz Air

  • Which airports can I use when flying from London to Istanbul Airport?

    Flights from London to Istanbul Airport may depart from several airports in London area, including London City (LCY), London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), London Luton (LTN), London Southend (SEN) and London Stansted (STN). Flights usually arrive at Istanbul (IST).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on London to Istanbul Airport flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Wizz Air: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Turkish Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • British Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from London to Istanbul Airport?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from London to Istanbul Airport:

    • Economy class
    • Business Class

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from London to Istanbul Airport?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $237 return via Izmir Adnan Menderes Arpt (ADB), compared with $321 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from London to Istanbul Airport?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $36–$139 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from London to Istanbul Airport pass through?

    One-stop flights from London to Istanbul Airport most commonly connect through:

    • Frankfurt am Main (FRA) – 24% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) – 23% of one-stop connections
    • Munich Franz Josef Strauss (MUC) – 15% of one-stop connections
    • Warsaw Frederic Chopin (WAW) – 13% of one-stop connections

    Frankfurt am Main (FRA) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from London to Istanbul Airport?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 11% on the London to Istanbul Airport route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $341 return on average, while Tuesday is the most expensive at $381, a difference of $40. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from London to Istanbul Airport?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the London to Istanbul Airport route, 9% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 2 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from London to Istanbul Airport spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on London to Istanbul Airport flights, with 47% leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 26%, Afternoon flights for 21%, and Night flights for 6%.

  • What popular places can I visit in Istanbul Airport?

    Some of the most popular sights in Istanbul Airport are Taksim, Taksim Square, and Istanbul City Centre. These are among the most viewed places in Istanbul Airport on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from London to Istanbul Airport?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from London to Istanbul Airport:

    • Earliest: departs at 05:35 and lands at 09:30
    • Latest: departs at 22:40 and lands at 02:35.

    The flight takes about 3h 55m.

  • How expensive are last-minute London to Istanbul Airport flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 24% above the route average of $326. Book 9 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from London to Istanbul Airport?

    A direct flight from London to Istanbul Airport takes 3h 55m, covering 3,967 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from London to Istanbul Airport?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How are flight prices from London to Istanbul Airport looking right now?

    One-way fares from London to Istanbul Airport are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $126, which is 50% below the typical average for this route.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from London to Istanbul Airport?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from London to Istanbul Airport?

    Flying via Munich Franz Josef Strauss (MUC) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 7h 14m, compared to 7h 19m via Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and 7h 36m via Bucharest Otopeni Intl (OTP).

  • What is the time difference between London and Istanbul Airport?

    Istanbul Airport is 2 hours ahead of London (Turkey Time vs British Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which car hire options are available at Istanbul Airport (IST)?

    Istanbul Airport (IST) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $15 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · CIRCULAR
    · Avec Car Rental
    · Ok Mobility
    · Alamo
    · Autounion Car Rental

  • How much should I expect to pay for a London to Istanbul Airport flight?

    Return flights from London to Istanbul Airport range from $194 to $505, with an average of $326 over the past 12 months. Anything below $194 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking London to Istanbul Airport flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Thursday departure instead of Tuesday. On this route, Thursday flights average $341 – about $40 less than Tuesday (11% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 9 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 41% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your London to Istanbul Airport trip for November. Fares historically average $155 return in that month – typically $320 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Turkish Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 91% of Turkish Airlines flights from London to Istanbul Airport arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 91%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours2 minutes, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Izmir Adnan Menderes Arpt Airport (ADB) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $237 return on this route – about $84 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • The main airport that serves the European side of Istanbul is Istanbul Atatürk Airport and is 24km (around 15 miles) from the city centre and is the hub for Turkish Airlines. Non-stop flights from London to Istanbul are operated by British Airways and Turkish Airlines from Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
  • For Turkish Airline business class passengers with a layover after flights from London to Istanbul think about checking into the Turkish Airlines Lounge at Ataürk Airport if you need some peace and quiet. Business and first-class passengers with Star Alliance membership can also use the lounge. Here you can enjoy facilities such as showers, children’s rooms, and cinema as well as drinks and a food buffet. There is also a prayer room for quiet contemplation.
  • For last minute souvenir shopping at Atatürk Airport, the Old Bazaar, with a typically Turkish ambience, stocks various gifts and souvenirs such as Turkish delight, traditional silverware and jewellery, as well as other local foodstuffs including spices, confectionary and the regional olive oil.
  • As the flights from London to Istanbul take just under 4 hours, you might want to know whether the airline will provide food. British Airways has a selection of Marks & Spencer sandwiches and other snacks which all need to be paid for by credit/debit card. Turkish Airlines airline meals and drinks are included in the cost of your ticket so you don’t need to worry about searching around for your card to pay for your meal.
  • For those travelling with babies and children on flights from London to Istanbul you will be happy to hear that Atatürk airport has nursing and baby change facilities as well as play areas for the slightly older children located in both terminals.

Prefer to fly direct from London to Istanbul?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from London to Istanbul Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

London to Istanbul

Monday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Istanbul to London

Monday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines,Wizz Air

British Airways,Turkish Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from London to Istanbul

Complete your trip to Istanbul with a hotel stay or car hire