How to get from London to Istanbul
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from London to Istanbul. The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes 4h, not counting the trip to and from the airports. The two cities are about 2497 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
This is the lowest fare we have recorded for this route in the last 14 days.
This fare comes from a search on August 25, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
2497 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €87Checked Sep 7 | 4hFlight only | See Flight details |
| Bus | €274Older observation | 57h4 transfers | See Bus details |
- Flight€87Checked Sep 74h · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Bus€274Older observation57h · 4 transfersSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
London to Istanbul: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1London Gatwick → Istanbul Airportflight
Wizz Air UK·4h
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
All transport observations
Flight calendar
Flight prices by day, London to Istanbul
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
September 2026
€87October 2026
€92Departure and arrival
Operators seen on these journeys
Wizz Air UKLondon Gatwick-Istanbul AirportSee live options and dates →City transitLondon-London Victoria Coach, Munich Fröttmaning-MunichBook →
FlixBusLondon Victoria Coach-Munich Fröttmaning, Munich-SofiaBook →
ArdaTurSofia-IstanbulBook →On this route you travel with Wizz Air UK, City transit, FlixBus, ArdaTur; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from London to Istanbul works
Start with a W9 flight from London to Istanbul, about 4h. In total it's roughly €59 over 4h, direct, no transfers.
London to Istanbul: common questions
How long does it take to get from London to Istanbul?
The most useful option is a flight; the flight itself takes about 4h. Getting to and from the airports is on top of that.
How far is Istanbul from London?
About 2497 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does London to Istanbul cost?
On the upcoming dates we checked, the cheapest fare ranged from €225 to €318. Run a live search for your own date to see today's price.
Are there direct flights from London to Istanbul?
Yes. The best option we found flies without a transfer and takes about 4h.
How long is the flight from London to Istanbul?
About 4h, and that is the flight itself. Getting to and from the airports is on top of it.
What are the airport codes for London and Istanbul?
London is LGW and Istanbul is IST, so this route is usually written LGW to IST.
Which operators run London to Istanbul?
On this route you travel with Wizz Air UK, City transit, FlixBus, ArdaTur.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Istanbul?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other ways people search London to Istanbul
- how to get from London to Istanbul
- London to Istanbul travel time
- London to Istanbul distance
- cheapest way from London to Istanbul
- London to Istanbul flight time
- flights from London to Istanbul
- London Istanbul direct flights
- LGW to IST