It's hardly surprising Istanbul is such a popular travel destination; it's the largest city in Europe and has a long history going right back to 660 BCE. Formerly the Turkish capital, parts of Istanbul are classed as a World Heritage Site, and the city is also a thriving cultural hub hosting a range of arts and film festivals. There are two main Istanbul airports: Istanbul International and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. Both are within easy reach of the city centre and offer plenty of transfer options.

Which is the main airport in Istanbul?

Istanbul International Airport is the main airport for the city, with Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen coming a close second. Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport is 28 miles from the city centre, and public transport options into the city include shuttle buses and taxis. Istanbul International Airport is 22 miles from the city and public buses are available between them. Metro links from both airports to the city centre are planned for the future.

Which airlines offer flights to Istanbul?

It's anticipated that around 16 million passengers will use use Istanbul Airport in 2019, and popular airlines offering flights to Istanbul International include British Airways, which offers direct flights from London Heathrow, and Air France, with flights from Paris. Turkish Airlines is the major provider of flights to the airport, from locations such as Washington, Boston, Manchester,Toronto and Los Angeles. Airlines offering flights to Sabiha Gökçen include Emirates, Nile Air, Atlas Global, with flights from Stansted, and Turkish Airlines, which provides flights from Frankfurt and Milan Malpensa.

Why travel by plane to Istanbul?

Direct flights from the UK to Istanbul take around 4 hours, so flying is definitely the quickest travel solution. Many visitors from the UK travel to Turkey for holiday and business purposes; no matter the reason for the travel, flying to Istanbul will offer them the fast and convenient connection they need. Flights to Istanbul are available from London airports and large regional hubs such as Birmingham and Manchester, making planning a trip from most areas of the UK easy to plan.

Before you travel to Istanbul by plane - good to know!

The Istanbul airport infrastructure has been upgraded considerably since the former international hub, Ataturk, did not have capacity for all arriving flights. Once the Metro links are in place from both of the current local international airports, travelling into Istanbul city centre will be smooth and quick. Istanbul visitors with limited available time will appreciate a trip to Miniaturk in the Golden Horn area, as this delightful theme park showcases all the major Istanbul attractions and landmarks in miniature. This is also a great day out for families.

How to Get to Istanbul by Plane

Airlines offering flights to Istanbul include British Airways, Turkish Airways, KLM, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Swiss Air and Egypt Air, among others. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (24 km outside of the city centre) and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (35 km from the city centre) are the nearest airports to Turkey's largest city. Kacaeli (77 km), Bursa (86 km), Tuirdag (124 km) and Kutahya (197 km) are other nearby facilities. All airports provide adequate travel to the city via road and rail connections. Airport shuttle services such as the Havatas regularly travel between the airport and the city. The F1 Taksim-Kabataş Funicular and the T1 Kabataş-Bağcılar tramway are also useful connections. Airline or airport buses also connect the facility to the railway station, from which passengers can commutte to Istanbul city.

Istanbul

Istanbul has long been the financial and cultural hub of Turkey. It is an extremely accessible city, thanks to its location within both Europe and Asia. With its remarkable peninsula, abundant history and beautiful landscapes, Istanbul is an inspiring location where visitors come face to face with cultural legacies spanning thousands of years. Many visitors enjoy visiting a Hamam whilst in the city. Conveniently, each neighbourhood in Istanbul homes at least one historic Hamam.

Airlines: Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Air Serbia flights to IstanbulFind the best trip to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Air Serbia. Comparing schedules and prices and booking the most convenient journey has never been easier with over 1000 travel companies on Omio.

Turkish Airlines

About

Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier of Turkey and one of the world’s leading airlines, flying to more international destinations than any other airline. Based in Istanbul, it connects travelers to Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and beyond. Passengers can choose from Economy Class with comfortable seating, WiFi, and in-flight entertainment, or upgrade to Business Class for spacious seating, gourmet dining, and lounge access. With its award-winning service and global reach, Turkish Airlines is a top choice for both business and leisure travel.

Learn more about Turkish Airlines

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Duration

1h 30m

Cheapest Price

£117

Turkish Airlines frequency

9 a day

Luggage included

Economy Class: 1 carry-on bag (8kg, 55x40x23cm) + personal item (4kg, 40x30x15cm)

Additional luggage

Additional baggage can be purchased online or at the airport. Fees vary by route.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation within 24 hours of booking. After that, cancellation fees apply based on fare type and timing.

Pregnant on board

Pregnant women can fly until 28th week without medical clearance. Between 28-36 weeks, medical certificate required. Not allowed after 36 weeks.

Unaccompagned minor

UNACCOMPANIED minor service available for children aged 7-12. Children 12+ can travel alone. Service must be booked at least 48 hours before departure.

Amenities on board the airplane

Wifi

Food sold onboard

USB plugs

Accessibility

Turkish Airlines provides wheelchair assistance and special services for passengers with disabilities. Advance notice required.

Pets

Small pets allowed in cabin (max 8kg including carrier) and cargo hold. Must be booked in advance.

Entertaiment on board

Pegasus Airlines

About

Pegasus Airlines is a Turkish low-cost airline headquartered in Istanbul. Founded in 1990 as a charter airline, it was acquired by Esas Holding in 2005 and relaunched as a scheduled low-cost carrier. Pegasus aims to provide affordable point-to-point transportation on short and medium-range flights, establishing a wide network with high frequency. As of July 2024, Pegasus operates flights to 148 destinations in 53 countries across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The airline is known for its young fleet and focus on punctual departures.

Learn more about Pegasus Airlines

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Duration

1h 15m

Cheapest Price

£42

Pegasus Airlines frequency

1 a day

Luggage included

1 personal item (35x20x20 cm) included

Additional luggage

Additional cabin bag and checked baggage available for purchase

Cancellation Policy

Full refund available within 24 hours of booking for flights more than 7 days away

Pregnant on board

Pregnant women can fly up to 28th week without medical clearance, between 28-35 weeks require medical certificate, not allowed after 36th week

Unaccompagned minor

Children aged 7-12 can travel as unaccompanied minors with service fee. Must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

Amenities on board the airplane

Wifi

USB plugs

Accessibility

Pegasus provides assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. Wheelchair service is available.

Pets

Small pets in cabin, max 8kg including carrier. Must be booked in advance.

Entertaiment on board

Aegean Airlines

About

Aegean Airlines is the flag carrier of Greece and a leading airline in Southeastern Europe, connecting travelers to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Operating from its main hubs in Athens and Thessaloniki, Aegean offers a modern fleet and high-quality service. Passengers can enjoy comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and drinks on most flights, and additional perks in Business Class such as lounge access, premium dining, and extra comfort. With affordable fares and strong regional connectivity, Aegean Airlines is a trusted choice for exploring Greece and beyond.

Learn more about Aegean Airlines

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Duration

12h 35m

Cheapest Price

£164

Aegean Airlines frequency

2 a day

Luggage included

1 carry-on bag (max 8kg, 56x45x25cm) and 1 personal item (max 40x20x25cm)

Additional luggage

23kg checked baggage, additional fees apply for extra weight

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets available with flex fare option, non-refundable tickets can be changed for a fee

Pregnant on board

Pregnant women can travel up to the 36th week without medical certificate, after that requires doctor's approval

Unaccompagned minor

Children aged 5-11 can travel unaccompanied with mandatory assistance service. Ages 12-17 optional assistance

Amenities on board the airplane

Wifi

USB plugs

Accessibility

Assistance available for passengers with reduced mobility, must be requested at least 48h before departure

Pets

Small pets allowed in cabin, max 8kg including carrier. Must be booked in advance

Entertaiment on board

Air Serbia

About

Air Serbia is the national flag carrier of Serbia, with its main hub at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. The airline's origins trace back to Aeroput, established in 1927, making it one of the oldest airlines in Europe. Rebranded as Air Serbia in 2013 after a partnership with Etihad Airways, the airline has since modernized its fleet and expanded its network. Air Serbia operates scheduled, seasonal, and charter flights to over 90 destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, North America, Asia, and Africa. They offer both passenger and cargo services, and in cooperation with partner airlines, extend their reach to international destinations in Asia, Australia, North America, and Africa. The airline is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Luggage & cancellation policy

Average Duration

22h 50m

Cheapest Price

£262

Air Serbia frequency

3 a day

Luggage included

1 piece of hand luggage (8kg, 55x40x23cm) and 1 personal item (40x30x20cm) included in standard ticket.

Additional luggage

Additional checked baggage can be purchased, with varying fees based on route and timing of purchase.

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets can be cancelled for a fee, non-refundable tickets cannot be cancelled but taxes may be refunded.

Pregnant on board

Pregnancy up to 28th week: no restrictions. From 28th to end of 36th week: medical certificate required. After 36th week: not allowed to fly.

Unaccompagned minor

Unaccompanied minor service available for children aged 5-16. Must be booked at least 24 hours before departure. Service fee applies.

Amenities on board the airplane

Wifi

USB plugs

Accessibility

Air Serbia provides special assistance for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair assistance and support throughout the journey.

Pets

Small pets in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier) or cargo hold for larger animals.

Entertaiment on board

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