Compare flight prices from Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Pegasus Airlines and more. Direct flights from $120 round trip. The London to Istanbul flight takes 3h 50m direct.
| Route | London (LHR) → Istanbul (IST) |
|---|---|
| Distance | 2,500 km (1,552 miles) |
| Flight time | 3h 50m |
| Direct flights | Yes |
| Prices from | $120 round trip |
| Best months to fly | Nov-Mar |
The London to Istanbul route is one of the most popular air corridors connecting LHR and IST. With 3 airlines competing on this route, travelers can find competitive fares starting from $120 for a round trip. Direct flights take approximately 3h 50m, covering a distance of 2,500 km.
Average round-trip prices from London to Istanbul by month. Highlighted months typically offer the best deals.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $144 | $174 | $120 | $147 | $169 | $164 | $141 | $168 | $139 | $150 | $107 | $164 |
Prices are estimates based on historical data and may vary. Use the search widget above for current fares.
The following airlines operate direct flights on this route:
Turkish Airlines often includes generous baggage and meals even on economy. Pegasus flies budget fares to Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side. Istanbul Airport (IST) is newer and larger but further from the city center than SAW for Asian-side hotels.
For the best prices, we recommend comparing across multiple booking platforms:
Near London: STN (Stansted), LGW (Gatwick). Lower fares are sometimes available from these airports, especially on budget and regional carriers.
Near Istanbul: SAW (Sabiha Gökçen). Low-cost airlines tend to fly from secondary airports — calculate the transfer cost to make sure the overall saving is genuine.
Once you've booked your flight from London to Istanbul:
Read more about flights to Istanbul or flights to London.
With 3 airlines competing on London–Istanbul, price wars work in your favor — particularly when low-cost carriers force full-service airlines to match base fares on the same corridor.
Seasonal swings on London–Istanbul can be dramatic: shoulder-season fares often run 25–40% below peak pricing. The monthly price table above shows exactly when the dips happen on this corridor.
On a short-haul route like this, 3–6 weeks out is the sweet spot for booking. Fares tend to be stable until about two weeks before departure, then spike sharply. Use Google Flights to scan departure dates, then verify pricing on Skyscanner and the widget above. Fare sources differ across platforms, so the best deal moves around.
For London–Istanbul, also check train or bus alternatives. On routes under 4 hours flying time, surface transport can be competitive on both price and total door-to-door time once you factor in airport procedures.
This is a short hop where the airport experience takes almost as long as the flight itself. Priority boarding and carry-on only can shave significant time off your total journey compared to checking bags.
Check visa and entry requirements for your destination well before booking. Some countries require advance e-visas that take days to process, and discovering this at the airport creates expensive problems.
Competition between Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Pegasus Airlines on this route works in your favor. Use it: search the same dates across at least two booking platforms, because different aggregators have different deals with airlines and the cheapest option varies by the day.
Pay attention to what is included in the fare. Budget carriers may quote a lower headline price but charge separately for carry-on bags, seat assignments, and in-flight meals. On a route like London to Istanbul, the fare difference between a full-service and a budget carrier after extras can shrink to almost nothing.
Start with the Kiwi.com widget at the top to see today's best London–Istanbul prices. If you are flexible on dates, try shifting your departure by a day or two — midweek flights on this route are consistently cheaper.
For the complete picture, also check the route on Google Flights and set a price alert there. Google's tracking is reliable and will email you when fares move in either direction.
Flights from London to Istanbul start from $120 round trip. Prices vary by season — the cheapest months are typically Nov-Mar. Use the search widget above to compare current prices.
A direct flight from London (LHR) to Istanbul (IST) takes approximately 3h 50m. The distance is 2,500 km (1,552 miles).
Airlines operating flights from London to Istanbul include Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Pegasus Airlines.
The cheapest months to fly from London to Istanbul are Nov-Mar. Booking 6-8 weeks in advance and being flexible with travel dates will help you find the lowest fares.
Yes, alternative airports near Istanbul include SAW (Sabiha Gökçen). Flying into a secondary airport trades convenience for savings. Make sure the fare difference covers your extra travel time and cost.
Compare prices from 3 airlines and find the best deal.
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