Istanbul Flights

 

Being such a large and important city, many airlines offer flights to Istanbul so you should have no difficulty finding a flight to here at any time of the year.

 

 

Istanbul’s Two Airports

 

The first thing you need to decide before booking your airline tickets is ‘which Istanbul airport do you want to land at?’ The main international airport is called Istanbul Atatürk and is situated on the European side of the city. The majority of the hotels in Istanbul are on this side of the Bosphorus, as are many of the city’s major tourist attractions so if you’re visiting to see the sights, this may be the best choice for you.

 

Istanbul’s second airport is much smaller and is located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. This airport is called Sabiha Gökçen and primarily deals with domestic Turkish flights though there are also some airlines offering flights here from the UK; discussed below. If you prefer to book your Istanbul hotel in a quieter, more residential part of the city you should consider a flight which lands at Sabiha Gökçen.

 

 

Which Airlines Offer Flights to Istanbul?

 

Many of the world’s biggest airlines offer flights from the UK to Istanbul’s Atatürk airport, though if you’re looking for the best convenience you’ll want a direct flight so choose either Turkish Airlines or British Airways. From London Heathrow the flying time is about 4 hours and with great transport links from the airport into the city, you will arrive at your hotel in Istanbul in no time!

 

Some budget and charter airlines have now started offering flights from the UK to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen airport and there are both advantages and disadvantages with this. On the plus side, you’re bound to find a cheaper flight than you would with BA or Turkish Airlines, though on the down side if you’re coming to Istanbul for sightseeing you have a decision to make regarding where you choose to stay.

 

There are plenty of excellent hotels in Istanbul on the Asian side, but you’ll have a longer journey to get to the sights; alternatively choose one of the many Istanbul hotels on the European side and you’re faced with a longer transfer time from the airport at the beginning and end of your stay. Pegasus, a Turkish company, offer flights from Stansted to Sabiha Gökçen and Easyjet offer flights from Luton to Sabiha Gökçen.