Flying from George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is three hours ahead of Belfast, where George Best Belfast City Airport is located.
Allow plenty of time to catch your BHD to Istanbul flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak period like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper flight ticket from BHD to Istanbul. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Located around 5 kilometres from central Belfast, BHD can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 20 minutes.
Booked an early flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to BHD:
When it comes to the on-time performance of George Best Belfast City Airport, 68.3% of flights complete their journey on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Istanbul
R 1,373 is currently the lowest price for a one-way George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul flight. Return flight tickets start at R 3,133. These fares can change depending on demand and availability.
To pick up cheap flights from BHD to Istanbul, book in advance. Airlines typically offer lower prices when flights are first released.
If you have flexibility with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when searching for a George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul ticket.
Locking in a cheap flight from BHD to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 50 minutes.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Go where the road takes you with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your flight from BHD to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is located around 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 55 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to call home for the night near SAW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your BHD to Istanbul flight at one of these well-located options:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before locking in your flights from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Istanbul offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while low season brings better deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
Book a George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul flight ticket with a departure in August to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from BHD to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Istanbul right here. Browse these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered once you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, check out popular attractions including Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you're interested in discovering another great destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among its highlights.
