Overview
Ankara, Turkey's capital, sits high on the Anatolian plateau and rewards travellers who want museums, history and everyday Turkish life without the crowds of Istanbul or the coast. It's a green, orderly city built around government districts, university campuses and a walled Ottoman old town. For UK travellers it works well as a focused city break or as part of a wider Turkey trip. There are currently no direct scheduled flights from the UK to Ankara, so you'll connect, most often through Istanbul.
Best time to fly to Ankara
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) bring warm days, cool evenings and the lowest chance of extreme weather. Summers are hot and dry, often above 30°C, while winters are genuinely cold with snow and sub-zero nights. Fares typically ease outside July, August and the main Turkish public holidays. Check the When to book chart above for the current pattern on your dates.
Airlines and routes
Turkish Airlines offers the widest choice, flying from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh to Istanbul (IST), then a short domestic hop to Ankara. Pegasus Airlines connects via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) from several UK airports. London to Istanbul takes about four hours, and the onward leg to Ankara around 70 minutes, so allow roughly 7 to 9 hours door to door including the connection. Booking both legs on one ticket keeps your bags checked through and protects the connection.
Things to do in Ankara
Ankara's highlights lean historical and cultural, and most sit close together in the old city.
- Anıtkabir: The vast hilltop mausoleum of Atatürk, with a museum on the founding of the Republic.
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: A world-class collection of Hittite, Phrygian and Bronze Age artefacts in a restored Ottoman market hall.
- Ankara Castle: An ancient citadel above the old town, with sweeping views and cobbled lanes to wander.
- Hamamönü: Restored Ottoman houses now home to tea gardens, craft workshops and small museums.
- Kocatepe Mosque: The city's largest mosque, an accomplished modern take on classical Ottoman design.
At Esenboğa Airport (ESB)
Esenboğa lies about 28 km north-east of the centre, roughly 40 minutes by road. BELKO AIR shuttle buses run to Kızılay and the AŞTİ coach station, and taxis wait outside arrivals. There is no metro or train to the airport, so budget for a shuttle or taxi at both ends.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Ankara
- Book around two to three months ahead; last-minute connecting fares rarely drop.
- Fly midweek and avoid July, August and Turkish public holidays.
- Keep your dates flexible and compare routings via Istanbul IST and Sabiha Gökçen SAW using the price charts on this page.
- Check whether a through-fare or a self-connect works out cheaper for your specific dates.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders no longer need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; your passport should be valid for at least 150 days on arrival and have a blank page. The currency is the Turkish lira, cards are widely accepted, and you'll usually get a better rate exchanging pounds in Turkey than at home. No vaccinations are required for entry from the UK; stick to bottled water and check the latest NHS Fit for Travel advice before you go.
