Find Cheap Flights from London to Istanbul from £38

Planning a trip from London to Istanbul? Whether you're travelling for a cultural getaway, a city break or business, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Turkey's largest city. Direct flights from London to Istanbul take around 3 hours and 50 minutes, making it easy to enjoy everything from iconic landmarks and vibrant bazaars to world-renowned cuisine.

To get the best value for your trip, compare flight options in advance and consider booking your flight and hotel together, which can help you save compared with booking them separately.

London boasts six international airports. Combined, these airports create the busiest airport network in the world, in terms of passenger footfall:

• Heathrow
• Gatwick
• Stansted
• Luton City
• Southend

All of London’s airports offer a large range of food and drink outlets, ATM and Wi-Fi, as well as services like car rental and currency exchange.

Getting to and from London airports is pretty straightforward due to the excellent transport connections.

Travellers can also consider using the various train routes to reach their departure airport. Each airport features a connecting train system. To check which routes might work for you, consider using mobile services like the TfL Go app. Outside of trains, travellers can also use the various shuttle buses with routes throughout the city.

The most flexible option will be travelling by taxi, though this can be expensive depending on the length of your trip. Services like Uber can also help if you prefer to get a fixed travel price before you embark on your journey.

There's far less to be confused about on the other end. When you arrive in Istanbul, it'll be at one of two airports. The larger of the two is the aptly named Istanbul Airport (IST), located on the city's European side. The smaller one is the Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), which is found on the Asian side of Istanbul

When it comes to navigating how you get from Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport to the city centre, you have several choices. As always, taxis are a possibility. To avoid the risk of unexpected fees or taxi scams, those wishing to travel by car can consider BiTaksi. Like Uber or Grab, this system can let you know the cost of travel before you leave. Of course, this option will likely be a little more expensive than a regular taxi (dotted around most public landmarks), but it can also be less stressful.

Both airports also offer the use of shuttle buses via companies like Havaist. The buses leave every thirty minutes from each airport to Sultanahmet (the Old City) and city centre. Istanbul also offers train lines less than 13 miles from each airport, but neither lines connect directly to the airports.

Both of Istanbul's airports are fully equipped with modern facilities to keep travellers safe and comfortable. These boast places to eat and shop alongside banks, currency exchanges, post offices and ATMs.

If you're looking for respite before your journey home, airport lounges are available at both the Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Both sets of lounges provide areas to rest, relax, and shower.

The Istanbul and Sabiha Gokcen airports offer free Wi-Fi for use on laptops and mobiles.

The respective airports also feature services and facilities to cater to disabled travellers, including accessible-by-wheelchair toilets and lifts. It's crucial to note that passengers in need of wheelchairs are required to inform airlines ahead of time so that staff can accommodate their needs preparedly.

Each airport offers 24/7 service for luggage handling concerns, including lost baggage issues.

The second thing to consider for your trip is the timing. Of course, the best time to visit Istanbul will be entirely subjective and will depend on you, your travel companions, and the activities you prefer. For example, if you want to enjoy the best weather that Istanbul has to offer, then the best time to travel is during the April-May 'spring' period, or during the September-October 'autumn' period.

Alternatively, if cost is the main clincher for you, then you'll find the cheapest time to travel is within the December-February period. A word of caution, though: Istanbul will be colder during this time, so you'll want to pack warm clothes and an umbrella to stay covered. Also, you'll likely avoid the crowds during these quieter months, but this is a blessing or a curse depending entirely on whether you're an introvert or extrovert.

Those looking for a taste of Istanbul's native historical and cultural events can rest assured that most of the calendar year has something to offer. There are plenty of events such as:

• Istanbul Music Festival in June
• Bosphorus Cup in September
• Istanbul Theatre Festival in November

Essentially, no matter when you choose to visit, Istanbul will always have something to offer. Tailor the trip to your needs and always remember that regardless of the cost or timing, the food is amazing all year round in hotspots like the world-famous Istiklal Street.

With records of settlement back in 6th millennium BC, Istanbul has no shortage of history, culture, and food to keep travellers enthralled, no matter how long they stay.

If you're looking to explore the historical legacy of Istanbul, then obviously the acclaimed Hagia Sophia is a must-see. With a reputation as one of the most iconic historical religious sites in the world, you'd be a fool to miss out on memories of seeing the Hagia Sophia's beauty mark in the flesh.

Another place of note is the Topkapi Palace, the former living place occupied for centuries by Ottoman sultans. This palace showcases the homes of the former sultans and also has a museum featuring some of Istanbul's most treasured artefacts. With jewels, weapons, and religious monuments, the Topkapi Palace has a little something for everyone.

For those wanting to explore the tastes of Istanbul, you'll be spoiled for choice, whether you're seeking out fine dining or street food. Regardless of your palate, a non-negotiable site you absolutely have to visit is the Grand Bazaar. There's a vast array of delicacies that are authentic, wholesome and made with love by expert locals. A fast-food joint could never compare.

Depending on the time of year, you might also choose to watch or partake in more sporty activities. With options like quad bike safaris, hot air balloon rides, and guided tours, Istanbul can scratch any of your more outgoing itches.