LHR - IST

£83 Find Cheap Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Save 34% or more on flights. Compare deals from all over the web.

Never overpay with our price tracking tools.

Filter searches by price, airline and more to find your best flights.

Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
£127
Typical prices: £192-£319
LOT
Sat 3/2Sat 10/2
LHR - IST • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
£136
Typical prices: £192-£323
British Airways
Sat 3/2Sat 10/2
LHR - IST • Direct
Direct flights
Every day
You can fly direct with Turkish Airlines and British Airways. Average duration is 3h 55m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Turkish Airlines
Most punctual • 92% on-time
Night
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
24 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 24 weeks in advance save around 16% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
January
Cheapest • 27% price drop
July
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Belgrade Nikola Tesla (BEG)
Cheapest • Avg £199 (return)
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Shortest trip • 6h 48m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Istanbul Airport!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Heathrow to Istanbul (LHR-IST)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Heathrow to Istanbul

Wed, 3 Feb - Wed, 10 Feb
LOT Logo
06:30 - 17:35LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
8h 05m1 stop Warsaw Frederic Chopin
LOT Logo
15:00 - 22:00IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
10h 00m1 stop Warsaw Frederic Chopin
£127LOT
Mon, 22 Feb - Sat, 27 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:50 - 16:55LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
20h 05m1 stop Amsterdam Schiphol
Multiple Airlines Logo
07:15 - 10:30IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
6h 15m1 stop Paris Charles de Gaulle
£132Multiple Airlines
Thu, 10 Dec - Wed, 16 Dec
LOT Logo
06:30 - 17:35LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
8h 05m1 stop Warsaw Frederic Chopin
LOT Logo
18:30 - 09:35IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
18h 05m1 stop Warsaw Frederic Chopin
£135LOT
Wed, 27 Jan - Sat, 30 Jan
British Airways Logo
07:00 - 13:55LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
3h 55mdirect
British Airways Logo
18:35 - 19:45IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
4h 10mdirect
£136British Airways
Sat, 9 Jan - Sat, 23 Jan
British Airways Logo
10:30 - 17:30LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
4h 00mdirect
British Airways Logo
14:55 - 16:10IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
4h 15mdirect
£136British Airways
Mon, 7 Dec - Tue, 15 Dec
KLM Logo
06:30 - 16:55LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
7h 25m1 stop Amsterdam Schiphol
KLM Logo
18:00 - 20:50IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
5h 50m1 stop Amsterdam Schiphol
£144KLM
Mon, 7 Dec - Mon, 14 Dec
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:05 - 16:55LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
20h 50m1 stop Amsterdam Schiphol
Multiple Airlines Logo
07:15 - 16:35IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
12h 20m1 stop Paris Charles de Gaulle
£150Multiple Airlines
Thu, 19 Nov - Fri, 25 Dec
KLM Logo
20:25 - 16:55LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
17h 30m1 stop Amsterdam Schiphol
KLM Logo
18:00 - 20:50IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
5h 50m1 stop Amsterdam Schiphol
£153KLM
Thu, 10 Dec - Thu, 17 Dec
Air France Logo
06:20 - 17:55LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
8h 35m1 stop Paris Charles de Gaulle
Air France Logo
07:15 - 16:35IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
12h 20m1 stop Paris Charles de Gaulle
£156Air France
Thu, 10 Dec - Thu, 17 Dec
Air France Logo
06:20 - 17:55LHR  London Heathrow-IST Istanbul
8h 35m1 stop Paris Charles de Gaulle
Air France Logo
07:15 - 18:20IST  Istanbul-LHR London Heathrow
14h 05m1 stop Paris Charles de Gaulle
£156Air France
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

Return flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport typically range from £192 to £319. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was £127 on LOT.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport. It's 4% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 3% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

•January is the cheapest month to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport at £182 return.
•July (£312) and August (£290) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 71% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport the cheapest?

Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport are cheapest 24 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 16% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Find deals
Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Heathrow to Istanbul

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Gabriel Leigh

Gabriel Leigh

Expert on Turkish Airlines

Gabriel is a writer and video creator. As senior content producer for Flightradar24 and Monocle’s transport correspondent, he keeps a close eye on aviation in particular. He has also written travel articles for the likes of The New York Times. Born in New York but raised around the world, he now lives in Sweden. He’s been to 75 countries, flying 2.3 million miles on 113 airlines and through 234 airports in the process.

Read more
Duncan Madden

Duncan Madden

Expert on British Airways

Duncan is a freelance travel writer, copywriter and book author in constant search of travel stories and the perpetual sensation of being on holiday. He’s never happier than when on a dusty trail in search of empty waves or ducking under the piste tape in search of snowbound solitude. British born, living in Germany, but happiest heading for the horizon. His first book, Found in Translation, explores the etymologies and stories of country names around the world and is out now.

Read more
Kirstie Pickering

Kirstie Pickering

Expert on LHR

Aviation and business journalist Kirstie didn’t leave England until she was 18 years old, but has since travelled to over 20 countries including Japan, Canada, and Iceland. Her travel expertise lies in European city breaks, including how to find the best locally-owned hotels and restaurants and how to optimise the airport experience for your needs.

Read more
Jenna Scatena

Jenna Scatena

Expert on IST

Journalist and Travel Writer, Jenna Scatena is an award-winning travel writer with a love for sharing stories and exploring new places, especially by Vespa. Though she's from San Francisco, she has spent a significant chunk of her vacation days over the last decade eating her way through Texas and sleeping in hotels around the world—especially in California, the Middle East, and Europe.

Read more

Key details for London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport flights

Low season

October

Cheapest flight

£83
Beat the crowds with an average 40% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 39% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport

When to book flights from Heathrow to Istanbul

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Heathrow to Istanbul based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport:

    • Earliest: departs at 06:25 and lands at 10:20
    • Latest: departs at 22:40 and lands at 02:35.

    The flight takes about 3h 55m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport:

    • Economy class
    • Business Class

  • How long is a flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    A direct flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport takes 3h 55m, covering 1,545 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    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.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport flight?

    Return flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport range from £192 to £319, with an average of £248 over the past 12 months. Anything below £192 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 4% above the £248 route average. Book 24 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average £199 return via Belgrade Nikola Tesla (BEG), compared with £249 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £19–£75 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    The Airbus A321neo family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Ajet and Wizz Air. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A321-100/200 variants.

  • How are flight departures from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport flights, with 45% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 22%, Evening flights for 22%, and Night flights for 11%.

  • How are flight prices from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport looking right now?

    One-way fares from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about £92, which is 47% below the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at Istanbul Airport (IST)?

    Istanbul Airport (IST) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around £8 for economy cars. Top options include:

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

  • Which airports can I use when flying from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport usually depart from London Heathrow (LHR) and arrive at Istanbul (IST).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

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

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    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 London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport route, 8% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 2h 02m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport pass through?

    One-stop flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport most commonly connect through:

    • Frankfurt am Main (FRA) – 30% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) – 21% of one-stop connections
    • Munich Franz Josef Strauss (MUC) – 19% of one-stop connections
    • Warsaw Frederic Chopin (WAW) – 12% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 7% on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at £239 return on average, while Monday is the most expensive at £256, a difference of £17.

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

  • Which airlines fly from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

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

    • Turkish Airlines
    • British Airways

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

    Flying via Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 6h 48m, compared to 7h 10m via Munich Franz Josef Strauss (MUC) and 7h 54m via Frankfurt am Main (FRA).

  • What is the time difference between London Heathrow Airport and Istanbul Airport?

    Istanbul Airport is 3 hours ahead of London Heathrow Airport (Turkey Time vs British Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Istanbul Airport?

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

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport flights?

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

    • Turkish Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • British Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Pakistan International 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.

Your guide to booking London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average £239, about £17 less than Monday fares (7% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 24 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 16% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport trip for January. Fares historically average £182 return in that month – typically £130 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Turkish Airlines. Over the past three months, 92% of Turkish Airlines flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 92%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 2h 02m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages £199 return on this route – about £50 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).

Prefer to fly direct from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

London Heathrow to Istanbul

Monday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Tuesday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Wednesday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Thursday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Friday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Saturday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Sunday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Istanbul to London Heathrow

Monday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Tuesday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Wednesday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Thursday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Friday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Saturday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

Sunday

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

British Airways,Turkish Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Heathrow to Istanbul

Complete your trip to Istanbul with a hotel stay or car hire

Car hire in Istanbul
Hotels in Istanbul
Holidays in Istanbul