Flying from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport (LHR): What you need to know
There are a couple of airports you can take off from in Istanbul. Check out your options departing from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when reserving your flight from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Book a direct Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport flight and you'll be in the air for around 4 hours 5 minutes.
London Heathrow Airport is located in London. The city runs on the UTC+0 timezone and is three hours behind Istanbul.
The most popular route is from Istanbul Airport (IST) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), with 62 direct weekly services. If you're not one for hanging around, the earliest flight from IST to LHR is the 7:35am British Airways service. If you're looking to take off later, the last departure is at 9:10pm with Turkish Airlines.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Get to the airport on time to board your flight from Istanbul to LHR.
Flying during a peak time such as August? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) will have you travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) operate out of this terminal.
Turkish Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport leaving from IST.
The top choice among passengers flying between IST and LHR is Turkish Airlines.
We make it a piece of cake to find cheap flights from Istanbul to LHR with a stopover. To explore your options departing from Istanbul Airport (IST), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between IST and LHR include:
Munich Franz Joseph Strauss Airport (MUC)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a relaxed start to your break? Stay near Istanbul Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just what you're after:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
You can book a direct Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) plane ticket with departures from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Work out whether leaving from SAW works best for your plans.
British Airways operates direct flights from Istanbul to LHR departing from SAW. Book your favourite aisle (or window) seat and arrive at your destination without any detours.
British Airways has the largest share of bookings on the SAW to LHR route.
British Airways is the most reliable carrier flying from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to London Heathrow Airport, with 66.07% of its services landing on schedule.
Turn your flight into part of the adventure with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport. Check out these connections between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and LHR:
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Munich Franz Joseph Strauss Airport (MUC)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
You can reach SAW from central Istanbul in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your Istanbul to LHR flight? Check in to a hotel near Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your holiday officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 68%.
About London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your luggage at baggage claim and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these options near LHR:
Booking your vehicle around one week ahead of your Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport flight can help you get a cheaper deal.
Getting from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London
London Heathrow Airport is around 24 kilometres from the centre of London. It takes around 45 minutes or so to get to the city by car.
Travelling on public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport is ر.ق. 294. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ر.ق. 755. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
Score cheap flights from Istanbul to LHR by booking seven months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
Plan your trip for December. That's the best month for landing a great bargain on Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport tickets. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Istanbul to LHR is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when prices go down.
Find the best deal on a flight from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
The best time to fly from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
January is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), while July is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to go to London based on whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Istanbul to LHR plane ticket, consider what kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in London, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC to 26ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport in January when temperatures are between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to London Heathrow Airport, find a hotel that puts you in a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring London:
You'll find plenty of awesome things to do in London when you're ready to get out and sightsee. Start exploring at The British Museum followed by Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
Manchester is just one of the many cities in the United Kingdom waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of London. Around 257 kilometres away to the northwest, its best attractions include Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Homes of Football and Museum of Science and Industry.
If you want to check out another major stop in the United Kingdom, consider Birmingham, about 153 kilometres northwest of London. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and Bournville Experience are among the biggest draws.