# Flights to Istanbul from the UK Source: https://umrahgateway.co.uk/flights-to-istanbul/ Flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham and other UK airports to Istanbul (IST), direct or with one stop. **Quick answer:** We book flights from the UK to Istanbul (IST) from London, Manchester, Birmingham and other UK airports. The flight takes around 4 hours direct. Prices change daily with seats and season, so send us your dates and we will reply with the best options and today's price. ## Flights from the UK to Istanbul Direct flights run from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other UK airports to Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Istanbul is a favourite stopover on the way to or from Umrah, with Ottoman mosques, history and halal food everywhere. ## Istanbul's two airports: IST and SAW Istanbul is served by two very different airports, and choosing the right one can save you hours. **Istanbul Airport (IST)** is the large hub on the European side, north of the city near the Black Sea coast. It is the home of Turkish Airlines and handles most full-service flights. **Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)** sits on the Asian side near Pendik and is used heavily by low-cost carriers. If you are staying in Sultanahmet, Fatih or Taksim, IST is normally easier. If you are staying in Üsküdar, Kadıköy or further east, SAW can be more convenient. ## UK airports and typical routings Turkish Airlines has long flown from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh to IST, and low-cost airlines often link Stansted, Luton and some regional airports with SAW. Schedules change, so we check for your dates. The flight takes around 4 hours, and Turkey is 2 or 3 hours ahead of the UK depending on the time of year. Istanbul also works well as a connecting hub. Many of our travellers fly UK to Istanbul, then onward to Jeddah or Madinah in around 3 to 3.5 hours, sometimes with a stopover of a few nights on the way home. ## Getting from the airport to the city - **From IST:** the M11 metro line runs towards Gayrettepe and Kağıthane, where you can change for central lines, and Havaist coaches run to Sultanahmet, Taksim and other districts. A taxi to the old city takes around 45 minutes to an hour, longer at peak times. - **From SAW:** Havabüs coaches and the metro connect the airport with Kadıköy and Taksim. Crossing the Bosphorus by road can be slow, so allow extra time if your hotel is on the European side. ## When UK travellers go, and why Spring and autumn are the favourite seasons, with comfortable weather for walking between the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque and the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, which is a visit many of our travellers value deeply. Summer is busy and warm; winter is quieter, cheaper and often rainy. ## Local practical tips - Buy an Istanbulkart at the airport machines; it works on the metro, trams, buses and ferries, and one card can be shared by a family. - Friday prayers at the large imperial mosques are very busy, so arrive early and expect the mosques to close to sightseers around prayer times. To add a few nights in Istanbul to your pilgrimage, see our [Umrah Plus Turkey](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus-turkey/) packages. ## Why book with us - **We compare airlines** and routes for your dates, including direct and one-stop options - **Clear baggage information** before you pay - **Flexible fares** and date changes where the airline allows - **Family and group bookings**, with seats together where possible - **Pay in instalments** on many fares - **Support from our UK team** by phone and WhatsApp ## Travel tips - Istanbul has two airports: IST on the European side and SAW on the Asian side; check which one suits your hotel. - Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit. - Add Istanbul to your Umrah with our [Umrah Plus Turkey](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus-turkey) packages. ## Visa and documents British citizens can usually visit Turkey without a visa for short stays. Rules can change, so check the latest on [GOV.UK entry requirements](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements) before you travel. ## Combine with Umrah Travelling to Turkey? See [Umrah Plus Turkey](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/umrah-plus-turkey), or ask us to add Umrah to your trip. ## How to book Send your dates, airports and number of passengers using the form on this page, call or WhatsApp us. We reply with the best options and price in writing. See all our [flights](https://umrahgateway.co.uk/flights). Last updated 2026-10-22.