Flying from London City Airport (LCY) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Istanbul is three hours ahead of London, where London City Airport is located. Istanbul follows the UTC+3 timezone.
For a relaxed start to your LCY to Istanbul flight, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
If you're heading away during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself extra time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper flight ticket from LCY to Istanbul. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Give yourself a breather (and maybe even a better deal) by stopping at one of these airports:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Located around 10 kilometres from central London, LCY can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your holiday? Stay near LCY. Whether you're taking an early flight from London City Airport to Istanbul or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Of all flights departing from London City Airport, 74.57% land on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from London City Airport (LCY) to Istanbul
R 2,201 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way London City Airport to Istanbul flight. A round-trip flight ticket right now is R 3,954. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
To find cheap flights from LCY to Istanbul, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer their most competitively priced fares when flights are first released.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, check out the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the lowest price across each month when searching for a London City Airport to Istanbul ticket.
There's no need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an extra saving on cheap flights from LCY to Istanbul.
Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from London City Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive takes roughly 50 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes around 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from London 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 hotels near IST:
Get your adventure underway by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's usual tourist stops.
Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks before your flight from LCY to Istanbul can help you get the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from London City Airport to Istanbul has landed, you can get to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your LCY to Istanbul flight:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means better deals and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before scheduling your flights from London City Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Istanbul offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty to do, while the off-season means you'll get better deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
Lock in a London City Airport to Istanbul flight ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from LCY to Istanbul in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
After booking your flight from London City Airport to Istanbul, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are highlights which should feature on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered after you've seen Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, top sights here include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you want to check out another corner of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among its highlights.
