London to Istanbul (LHR–IST) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
LHR–IST is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines and British Airways lead the route. The flight covers 1,546 miles in approximately 3h 9m. Beyond nonstop, 135 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines Also: 3U, 6E, AV, BR, PK | 41 | 32Q, 332, 359, 77W | 3h09-3h55 | – | Star Alliance | 3U, 6E, AV, BR, PK |
| BA British Airways | 26 | 32A, 32N | 3h40-4h05 | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Istanbul from London
| Metric | LHR→IST | LGW→IST | LTN→IST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from LHR | – | 25 mi | 28 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 191 | 125 | 7 |
| Flight time | 3h 9m | 3h 50m | 4h 5m |
Travel Essentials
LHR: BST · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in London, it's 8:00 PM in Istanbul.
British passport holders need an eVisa to enter Turkey. The eVisa costs $61.40 (card only), is processed instantly, and allows multiple entries for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period over a 6-month validity. Apply at evisa.gov.tr. The site is the only official source; third-party sites charge markups. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.
The eVisa application takes about 3 minutes. You need a valid email address and a debit or credit card. No supporting documents, photographs, or hotel bookings are required. Print or save a digital copy of the eVisa. For work or study, a separate visa from the Turkish consulate is required. Overstaying triggers fines (up to TRY 1,000) and potential entry bans.
Direct flights from London to Istanbul (IST) run about 3 hours 45 minutes. Turkish Airlines, British Airways, easyJet, and Pegasus operate the route. Flights to Dalaman, Antalya, and Bodrum are seasonal from multiple UK airports. The Turkish lira (TRY) trades at roughly 38 TRY per $1. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals. Istanbul has two airports: IST (main international hub, European side) and SAW (Sabiha Gokcen, Asian side, budget carriers). They are 80 to 100 km apart.
Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington to T5 and T2/T3 in 15–21 minutes (£37 single, cheaper booked online or via the Heathrow app). Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is a lower-cost alternative; Paddington to T5 in 34 minutes from £13.50 with an Oyster/contactless cap of £14.90. The Elizabeth line also serves central London stations including Bond Street, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street.London Underground Piccadilly line serves all terminals (T2/T3/T4/T5) from central London in 40–60 minutes (£6 with Oyster). Taxis (black cabs) from central London cost £55–90 depending on traffic. Coach services from Victoria Coach Station (National Express) cost from £10 booked in advance.
M11 Metro to Gayrettepe takes about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart) with connections to M2 (Taksim) and M7. Runs from 5am to midnight. The metro bypasses O-7 motorway traffic, which is frequently heavy into the city.Havaist buses serve major destinations including Taksim, Kadıköy (European and Asian sides), and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (₺50–80). Taxis from arrivals are metered; insist on the meter. Journey to Sultanahmet or Taksim costs ₺400–700 depending on traffic. Rental cars available. Hotel shuttles common for business hotels near the city.
The new airport sits 35km from central Istanbul on the European side, slightly inland and exposed to Black Sea weather systems. Winters (December–March) are cold (0–8°C) with fog, rain, and occasional snow. Snow on the exposed plateau is more likely than in the city. Ice on taxiways causes delays.
Summers are warm (25–32°C) with dry, reliable weather. Spring and fall bring heavy rain and strong northerly winds (Poyraz) that can affect smaller aircraft. Fog is the primary low-season disruption risk. The airport's elevated position makes it slightly windier than the Atatürk site it replaced.
LHR–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from LHR to IST
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from British Airways and Turkish Airlines. With 191 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
LHR to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from LHR to IST ranges from 3 hours 9 minutes to 5 hours 5 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,546 miles (2,487 km). There are approximately 191 weekly flights outbound and 219 return, totaling 410 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
135 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 5 hours via CGN. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include London (LGW), Luton, Luton (LTN) and London, Essex (STN).