Travelling from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Approximately 4 hours 10 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul.
London Heathrow Airport is located in London. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is three hours ahead of London.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 62 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from LHR to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 22:35. Go for the first departure with British Airways at 06:10 if you want to fly out earlier.
To avoid missing your LHR to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow a little extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Begin your journey at LHR and travel straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to land when searching for London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Get on board with Turkish Airlines. This well-known airline offers direct flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul.
We make it a breeze to book plane tickets from LHR to Istanbul with a stopover. To see your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. The most sought-after stopovers include:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Located around 26 kilometres from the centre of London, LHR can be reached in about 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 1 hour.
Want a relaxed start to your trip? Stay near LHR. Whether you have an early flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels put convenience first:
When it comes to the on-time performance of London Heathrow Airport, data shows 68.18% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Istanbul
100 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul flight. Return plane tickets start from 171 €. These prices can change depending on availability and demand.
Book nine months before your departure date. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from LHR to Istanbul.
Schedule your trip for January. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest price across each month.
You don't need to keep checking in to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's an even better deal on cheap flights from LHR to Istanbul.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It'll take you around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It'll take around 1 hour 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel near IST if you have a late flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul. Check in to one of these options and make your arrival easier:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and chase adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks before your flight from LHR to Istanbul can help you lock in the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Travelling by public transport will take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable places to rest your head close to SAW. Unwind and get cosy after your LHR to Istanbul flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Plan your trip to Istanbul during high season if you like a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices tend to be higher. Alternatively, book flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul in the low season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from LHR to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, its best attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another standout destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No trip is complete without visiting Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.