Travelling from London International Airport (YXU) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is seven hours ahead of London, where London International Airport is located.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your YXU to Istanbul flight.
You can expect longer queues in popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
YXU is about 10 kilometres from central London. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 55 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your trip? Stay near YXU. Whether you're taking an early flight from London International Airport to Istanbul or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels put convenience first:
Of all flights leaving London International Airport, 50.41% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from London International Airport (YXU) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way London International Airport to Istanbul flight is $1,125. The cheapest price for a return flight is $1,478. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to land cheap flights from YXU to Istanbul if you book in advance. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, check out the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across every month when looking for your London International Airport to Istanbul ticket.
Picking up a cheap flight from YXU to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when a new discount appears.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from London International Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 50 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from London International Airport to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
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.
Booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your flight from YXU to Istanbul can help you secure the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from London International Airport to Istanbul has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 55 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to rest your head close to SAW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your YXU to Istanbul flight at any of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or long cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare offers from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Visit Istanbul in peak season if you prefer a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book flights from London International Airport to Istanbul in the low season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your London International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
Search for cheap tickets from YXU to Istanbul in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options once you've booked your flight from London International Airport to Istanbul:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be discovered. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the go. Start with leading attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). No visit is complete without checking out Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
