How to get to Istanbul from London

Thu 08 Oct
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Indigo Airlines
Sas Airways
Pegasus
Air Arabia
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Indigo Airlines
Sas Airways
Pegasus
Air Arabia
Fly One
1,000+ more
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Travel Information

Compare flight for London to Istanbul

Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from London to Istanbul among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the flight, with an average ticket price of £534 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 8h 16m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £534, while a flight costs an average of £534.

Distance: 2498 km

Compare flight with

Most popular
Flight
Driving

£534

Average Price

Cheapest

£126

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

8h 16m

Average total duration

Fastest

6h 16m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

30h 56m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

Pegasus

Most popular airline

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from London to Istanbul is a flight with an average price of £534.
The fastest way to travel from London to Istanbul is by flight with an average journey time of 8h 16m.
Yes, you can take a flight between London and Istanbul.
Take the flight. It's the quicker way to make this trip, and the time saved usually justifies the slightly higher cost.

You'll arrive about 24h 40m sooner (6h 16m by flight vs 30h 56m by car). Tickets start at around £534 compared to roughly £126 in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you get time back and avoid a long drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group, want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.

Travel options
from London to Istanbul

How to get to Istanbul from London by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

flight

The best way to travel from London to Istanbul is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • PegasusPC1178
    19:103h45
    London Stansted Airport
    0:55Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
    £781One-way
    0 changes

Cheapest

  • PegasusPC1178
    19:103h45
    London Stansted Airport
    0:55Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
    £781One-way
    0 changes

Fastest

  • Turkish AirlinesTK1984
    22:403h40
    London Heathrow Airport
    4:20Istanbul Airport
    £6901One-way
    0 changes

Other options

  • PegasusPC1186
    15:203h55
    London Gatwick Airport
    21:15Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
    £821One-way
    0 changes
  • Turkish AirlinesVF1988
    11:503h50
    London Stansted Airport
    17:40Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
    £831One-way
    0 changes
  • wizz air ukW95729
    13:304h00
    London Gatwick Airport
    19:30Istanbul Airport
    £891One-way
    0 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries

Compare flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

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Best day trips from Istanbul by train

The most popular day trips by train from Istanbul are İzmit, Bursa, Edirne, Yalova and Adapazarı. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Istanbul on Omio.

A view of Bursa

Day trip from Istanbul to Bursa by train

Why visit Bursa for the day?

Bursa is known for its Ottoman heritage, silk trade and Iskender kebab, with grand mosques and historic bazaars shaping the city’s character. Between fertile lowlands and Uludağ’s slopes, it feels traditional, green and industrious.

A view of Edirne

Day trip from Istanbul to Edirne by train

Why visit Edirne for the day?

Edirne was the Ottoman capital before Istanbul and is known for the striking Selimiye Mosque. Bridges, bazaars and Balkan influences give the city a lively borderland character.

General Information about the Journey from London to Istanbul

Istanbul lies some 2500 kilometers southeast of London meaning that flying is by far the fastest travel option and the route is well-served with direct flights operated by both country's flag carriers. Adventurous travellers can opt for the 4/5-day train and bus journeys across Europe and through the Balkans.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: London to Istanbul

Travel to Istanbul easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from London to Istanbul.

FAQs
You can travel between London and Istanbul by flight.
The cheapest way to travel from London to Istanbul is a flight with an average price of £534.
The fastest way to travel from London to Istanbul is by flight with an average journey time of 8h 16m.
The London to Istanbul distance is approximately 2498 km.
The average frequency per day from London to Istanbul is:
  • Around 134 flights per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between London and Istanbul as scheduled services by flight can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from London to Istanbul:
  • Flights mostly depart from London Heathrow Airport and arrive in Istanbul Airport.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from London to Istanbul, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Indigo Airlines, Sas Airways, Pegasus, Air Arabia, Fly One, Azerbaijan Airlines, Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air Serbia, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Vueling, AJet, Asiana, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, Lot Polish Airlines, ITA, British Airways, Egypt Air, Aegean Airlines, easyJet, Iberia to go to Istanbul by flight.
Yes, there is a direct route available from London to Istanbul:
  • 21 direct flights per day with Pegasus, AJet, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, easyJet.
Omio customers who travel from London to Istanbul often also extend their vacation to go to Göreme, Sofia, Antalya, Athens, İzmir. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Istanbul and these popular destinations at a great price.
To travel from London to Istanbul, you can take a flight.
In Istanbul, you can explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets, or take a Bosphorus Cruise for scenic views of the city's skyline and historic landmarks. Visit the Spice Bazaar for exotic spices and local delicacies, or relax in a traditional Turkish Bath. Discover Istiklal Avenue, a lively street for shopping and entertainment. For sightseeing, don't miss the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and Galata Tower for a mix of history, architecture, and stunning views.
Three to four days in Istanbul is ideal to explore its rich history, vibrant culture, and iconic landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.

Travelling from London to Istanbul: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to IstanbulHow to get to Istanbul from London

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