Find Cheap Flights from Edinburgh to Istanbul – Compare and Save

These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Edinburgh to Istanbul:

• Earliest: departs at 10:40 and lands at 15:02
• Latest: departs at 17:00 and lands at 21:22.

The flight takes about 4h 22m.

Two cabin classes are available on flights from Edinburgh to Istanbul:

• Economy class
• Business Class

A direct flight from Edinburgh to Istanbul takes 4h 22m, covering 1,778 miles.

Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

Return flights from Edinburgh to Istanbul range from £184 to £350, with an average of £254 over the past 12 months. Anything below £184 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 2% above the £254 route average. Book 22 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average £150 return via London Gatwick (LGW), compared with £266 for direct.

Turkish Airlines is the only airline operating Edinburgh to Istanbul flights. 92% of its flights are on time.

There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £11–£75 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

Afternoon is the busiest departure period on Edinburgh to Istanbul flights, with 66% leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 34%, Evening flights for 0%, and Night flights for 0%.

Since Istanbul is served by multiple airports, car hire options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
Near Istanbul Airport (IST) – daily rates from around £8:

• CIRCULAR
• Avec Car Rental
• Ok Mobility
• Alamo
• Autounion Car Rental

Near Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) – daily rates from around £9:

• Avec Car Rental
• CIRCULAR
• Final Rentals
• Autounion Car Rental
• ESSENCE CAR RENTAL

Flights from Edinburgh to Istanbul usually depart from Edinburgh Turnhouse (EDI) and may arrive at several airports in Istanbul area, including Istanbul (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW).

Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Edinburgh to Istanbul route, 8% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 53m.

One-stop flights from Edinburgh to Istanbul most commonly connect through:

• London Stansted (STN) – 48% of one-stop connections
• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) – 26% of one-stop connections
• London Heathrow (LHR) – 7% of one-stop connections
• Kastrup Copenhagen (CPH) – 6% of one-stop connections

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 20% on flights from Edinburgh to Istanbul. Friday is the cheapest departure day at £242 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at £302, a difference of £60.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

2 airlines operate flights between Edinburgh and Istanbul. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

• Turkish Airlines
• Pegasus Airlines

Flying via London Heathrow (LHR) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 8h 07m, compared to 8h 47m via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and 8h 54m via Zurich (ZRH).

Istanbul is 2 hours ahead of Edinburgh (Turkey Time vs British Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Some of the most popular sights in Istanbul are Taksim Square, Sultan Ahmet Camii, and Ayasofya. These are among the most viewed places in Istanbul on KAYAK.

Among airlines operating Edinburgh to Istanbul flights:

• Pegasus Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

• Pegasus Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
• Turkish Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Eco-conscious travellers have a couple of choices to reduce carbon emissions when flying from Edinburgh to Istanbul. Lufthansa saves the most – its early morning flights emit up to 52% less CO2. These take just over 13 hours and make a single stopover at Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA). British Airways is the second-best choice. Its flights emit around 45% less CO2. There are a few every day, all of which make about a 2-hour stopover at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport offers a range of accessibility features, including adapted facilities such as bathrooms and lowered counters. You can also request Special Assistance. Sunflower lanyards and pins are available to indicate that you might need help with a hidden disability. Istanbul Airport provides assistance services in conjunction with airlines. Notify your carrier 48 hours in advance and trained staff will meet you on your arrival.

Hiring a car at Istanbul Airport is very easy – most of the major European car hire brands are represented there. You'll find them all in the Car Rental Area inside the Tayakadin Mh. Terminal building. This is on the inland side of the Arrivals Hall. To collect your vehicle, you simply need to exit the terminal and walk directly across the road to the multi-storey car hire parking area.

Istanbul Airport is a short way to the north of the central Istanbul, connected by an ultra-modern subway system, the Metro Line M11. These driverless trains are the fastest in Turkey and take about 15 minutes to get downtown. If you hire a car or take a taxi, you can expect a drive of around 30 minutes. A paid airport shuttle is also available, which also takes about half an hour.