A stunning aerial view of Üsküdar in Istanbul, showcasing its urban landscape and waterfront. — flights from London to Istanbul
London, UKIstanbul, Turkey

Flights from London to Istanbul

Nonstop flights from London (LHR) to Istanbul (IST) take about 3h 37m (2,487 km). British Airways flies it. Lowest fare seen: $147 one-way, nonstop (12 Oct 2026).

All flights from London →All flights to Istanbul →

Photo of Istanbul: Julien Goettelmann on Pexels.

When you land in Istanbul

The airport transfer and the few things worth sorting before you fly.

A Turkish Airlines aircraft flying amidst clouds over Istanbul, capturing travel's essence. — arriving in Istanbul

Airport transfer

IST → Istanbul, booked before you fly

A private driver meets you in arrivals at a price agreed when you book. Book with Welcome Pickups.

See transfer prices
British Airways Airbus A320 landing at Heathrow, London on a clear day. — lounges at Heathrow AirportHeathrow Airport · 10 lounges
Before you flyAirport lounges at Heathrow →
Trains, buses and taxi faresIST to Istanbul: getting into town →Early arrival or late flightLuggage storage in Istanbul →34 drop-off points, from €3.90

Things to book in Istanbul

All 59 things to do in Istanbul →
Topkapı Palacefrom €60
Topkapı Palace Museum 3.6 · 445 Tiqets reviews
from €9
Istanbul Sightseeing Cruises 3.8 · 250 Tiqets reviews
Blue Mosque, Istanbulfrom €15
The Blue Mosque 4.0 · 138 Tiqets reviews
from €15
Istanbul Whirling Dervishes Ceremonies 4.4 · 126 Tiqets reviews

Find hotels in Istanbul

Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com

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Airlines flying London to Istanbul

Carriers on LHR–IST according to our route data and nonstop fares seen as of 12 Oct 2026. Not a complete list.

✈ British Airwaysnonstop fare seen

London to Istanbul fares by month

Cheapest month seen for a nonstop flight: Jan 2027, from $74 one-way. With stops: Dec 2026, from $60. Lowest one-way fares seen for departures in each month, read 22 Oct 2026.

DepartingNonstop fromCheaper with stops
Oct 2026$8230 Oct 2026—
Nov 2026$8217 Nov 2026$63 · 1 stop10 Nov 2026
Dec 2026$8329 Dec 2026$60 · 1 stop10 Dec 2026
Jan 2027$7417 Jan 2027—
Feb 2027$748 Feb 2027—
Mar 2027$7417 Mar 2027—
Apr 2027$8726 Apr 2027—
May 2027$7817 May 2027—
Jun 2027$789 Jun 2027—
Jul 2027$1445 Jul 2027$133 · 2 stops5 Jul 2027
Aug 2027$8923 Aug 2027—
Sept 2027$11812 Sept 2027$85 · 1 stop19 Sept 2027

When to go for the lowest fare

Fares were close across the months we saw: $63 for November 2026, $60 at best after that.

Nonstop or with a stop

A connection undercut nonstop in 4 of 4 months with both fares.

From Travelpayouts flight-search data, city to city (London to Istanbul, any airport), USD, read 22 Oct 2026. These are fares that were on sale, not a guarantee of today's price; an airline is named only where we know it flies this route.

Best time to fly to Istanbul

Based on weather and travel conditions in Turkey

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best monthsGoodAvoid if possible

Turkey is a great destination year-round. Check local weather patterns before booking and consider shoulder seasons for lower prices and fewer crowds.

More for this trip

Frequently asked questions — London to Istanbul flights

How long is the flight from London to Istanbul?
A nonstop flight from London (LHR) to Istanbul (IST) takes about 3h 37m, covering 2,487 km. That is an estimate from the distance — actual time varies with the airline, aircraft and winds, and connecting itineraries take longer.
How far is London from Istanbul by air?
The great-circle distance between London Heathrow Airport and İstanbul Airport is 2,487 km (1,545 miles), a medium-haul route.
Which airlines fly from London to Istanbul?
Airlines with flights or nonstop fares on the LHR–IST route include British Airways. This is not a complete list — schedules change by season, so check the current options before booking.
How much does a flight from London to Istanbul cost?
The lowest one-way fare seen recently on LHR–IST was $147 USD with British Airways (nonstop), departing 15 Apr 2027, found in fare searches as of 12 Oct 2026. Fares change constantly and depend on the date, so check the current price before booking.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Istanbul?
In fares seen on 22 Oct 2026, departures in December 2026 were cheapest, from $60 one-way, against $133 for July 2027, the dearest month. Fares change daily, so check your own dates.
Is it cheaper to fly nonstop or with a stop from London to Istanbul?
In the fares we saw (12 Oct 2026), connecting was cheaper: from $117 with one stop against $147 nonstop, a saving of $30. Nonstop saves the connection time.
Do I need a visa to travel from UK to Turkey?
It depends on your passport. Some nationalities can enter Turkey visa-free or get a visa on arrival; others must apply in advance. Use AirConnect's Visa Checker to see the rules for your passport.
What is the best time to visit Istanbul?
Turkey is a great destination year-round. Check local weather patterns before booking and consider shoulder seasons for lower prices and fewer crowds.

Sources: fares from Travelpayouts flight-search data, seen 12 Oct 2026; airlines from each carrier's published network and nonstop fares on sale; distance from OurAirports coordinates; flight time estimated from distance. Fares change daily.

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