Flying from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
4 hours 8 minutes is the average length of a direct flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Istanbul is 3 hours ahead of London and operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
There are 52 flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport every week. Jump on the 04:50 flight if you want to be on your way as early as possible. If you're keen to make the most of your day before heading off, the latest flight from LGW to IST is at 23:15.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you fly during peak periods in general.
Getting to Istanbul (and then discovering more of Türkiye (Turkey)!) is easy with Turkish Airlines. This popular carrier runs direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
If you'd like a stopover for your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' and look through your options. These are the top stopovers between LGW and IST:
Zurich Airport
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Dubrovnik Airport
Remember, you may need a visa to enter Türkiye (Turkey). Visa regulations can vary and travel documentation requirements frequently change. Before reserving your cheap ticket from LGW to IST, be sure to check with your carrier and your destination country's local consulate or embassy for the latest information.
How to find the cheapest flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Rs11,340 is currently the best price for a one-way ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. A return flight starts at Rs18,918. These fares may change based on availability and demand.
To secure cheap flights from LGW to IST, book your journey 10 months ahead of the departure date.
The cheapest month for tickets from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest prices if you have flexible dates.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flights from LGW to IST. You don't need to search every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll notify you when there's a change in price.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Gatwick Airport is about 80 kilometres from central London. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 1 hour and 19 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes.
After a handy hotel close to LGW? If you're on an early flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport to central Istanbul is around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away. Discover what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing services.
It typically takes 1 hour and 45 minutes when travelling by public transport.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
August is the busiest month for flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. To skip the crowds, head to Istanbul in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Search for cheap flights from LGW to IST sometime then if you like cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
As soon as you've locked in your flights from LGW to IST, you'll need to find a hotel in Istanbul. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring this exciting destination:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-do's during your Istanbul adventure.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is another international airport for getting to and from Istanbul. It might even be a more convenient or cheaper choice depending on your travel plans, so it's worth looking into.
Complete your Istanbul trip with hotels and a car rental
You've booked a cheap ticket to Istanbul Ataturk Airport — next on the list is finding a great place to stay, and maybe even your own set of wheels. We've compared prices across hundreds of companies to bring you the top hotels and car rental deals in Istanbul.