Travelling from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to London: what you need to know
Around 3 hours 54 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London.
The timezone in London is UTC+0. The city is 3 hours behind Istanbul, where Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the most traveled route, with 104 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from IST to LGW is with Turkish Airlines at 21:05. Opt for the first departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 07:50 if you want to get going early.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight from IST to London. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're travelling during peak periods in general.
You can travel directly to London departing from IST. Land at any of these hubs following your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Luton Airport (LTN)
Popular airlines that operate direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London include:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing flights from IST to London, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Sofia Airport (SOF)
If you hold a passport from Türkiye (Turkey), you will need an embassy visa to visit United Kingdom. This applies if you're booking a cheap ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check the visa rules ahead of booking and certainly before flying.
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these stays near IST:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to London
Rs8,084 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London. A return flight starts at Rs19,264. These prices may change based on demand and availability.
Lock in cheap tickets from IST to London by booking at least 10 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
The cheapest month for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London is June. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the lowest fare.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll be notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of looking for flight tickets from IST to London every day.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London takes about 57 minutes by car. It's approximately 31 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour and 1 minute.
Consider staying in a hotel close to LHR if you're catching a late flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
As soon as your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 1 hour and 19 minutes by car. Central London is roughly 80 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near LGW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from IST to London:
Best time to go to London
July is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London. To steer clear of the crowds, head for London in February when it's quieter.
Before locking in your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in London, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC to 26ºC.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from IST to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in London right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are top sights which should be on any good London itinerary.
Complete your London trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to London isn't the only thing we're good at. Check out our car rentals in London and explore the city on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.