Overview
Turkey is one of the UK's best-loved holiday destinations, bridging Europe and Asia with a wealth of history, hospitality and coastline. Istanbul dazzles with its mosques, bazaars and Bosphorus, while the Aegean and Mediterranean resorts offer sun, sea and superb value. Comparing every fare in one place makes finding the right flight quick and simple.
Best time to fly to Turkey
The coastal resorts are at their best from May to October, with reliable sunshine for beach holidays; July and August are hottest and busiest. Istanbul and Cappadocia are lovely in spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). Fares peak in the school summer holidays, so travelling in the shoulder months brings noticeably lower prices. Check the price charts on this page for the cheapest dates.
Main gateway cities & airports
The main gateways are Istanbul (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), with holiday airports at Antalya (AYT), Dalaman (DLM), Bodrum (BJV) and Izmir (ADB).
Airlines and routes
Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Pegasus fly direct to Istanbul, while easyJet, Jet2, TUI and SunExpress serve the coastal resorts. A direct London–Istanbul flight takes around 4 hours, with flights to Antalya and Dalaman roughly 4–4.5 hours, from many UK airports. Compare carriers for your exact dates for the best fare.
Popular places to visit in Turkey
- Istanbul: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar.
- Cappadocia: fairy chimneys and dawn hot-air balloons.
- Antalya & the Turquoise Coast: beaches and ancient ruins.
- Pamukkale: gleaming white travertine terraces.
- Ephesus: one of the world's great Roman archaeological sites.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Turkey
- Book a few months ahead for the summer holiday season.
- Travel in the shoulder months (May–June, September–October) for value and pleasant weather.
- Compare scheduled carriers with low-cost and charter airlines.
- Be flexible with your dates — midweek departures are often cheaper.
Travel essentials
- Visa: UK travellers can enter Turkey visa-free for tourism for stays of up to 90 days.
- Currency: the Turkish lira (TRY).
