Travelling from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul and you'll be travelling for around 4 hours 3 minutes.
Istanbul is 3 hours ahead of London, where London Gatwick Airport is located. Istanbul operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route, with 52 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from LGW to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 22:30. Opt for the first departure operated by Wizz Air UK at 06:40 if you want to get going early.
Leave plenty of time to catch your flight from LGW to Istanbul. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a popular month like August? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
You can book a direct flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul that arrives at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Book your ticket with Turkish Airlines. This well-known airline operates direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul.
We make it a breeze to plan a flight from LGW to Istanbul with a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
If you hold a passport from United Kingdom and plan to travel to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes, you won't need a visa. However, entry and visa requirements may differ based on the length and purpose of your stay and can be subject to change. For the latest rules, check with your destination's nearest embassy or consulate before reserving a cheap ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul.
Located around 80 kilometres from the centre of London, LGW can be reached in about 1 hour and 19 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Want a handy hotel near LGW? If you're boarding an early flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
How to find the cheapest flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Istanbul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul is ج.م. 2,332. The cheapest price for a return flight is ج.م. 4,088. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Score cheap tickets from LGW to Istanbul by booking 10 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for tickets from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
Locking in a cheap ticket from LGW to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul. Simply enter your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul is around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
Travelling by public transport will take you roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is located around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 57 minutes.
The trip will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places where you can rest ahead of your adventure near SAW. Settle in and get cosy after your flight from LGW to Istanbul at one of these perfectly located options:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month for flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul. To avoid the crowds, head for Istanbul in February when things are quieter.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Lock in your flights from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from LGW to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Check out these options after you've booked your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are leading attractions which should feature on every Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from London Gatwick Airport to Istanbul isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and travel at your own pace. We find deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
