The flight between London and Istanbul is a short one, taking between three and four hours without stopovers. Several good airlines like Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Air Fiji offer direct flights to Istanbul from London at competitive prices. From Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton, you can choose your departure airport according to convenience. Istanbul has two airports- Ataturk and Sabiha. Ataturk is bigger and closer to the city centre (about 13 miles) than Sabiha, which is about 25 miles away. Buses, trams and ferries to the city centre are easily available from both airports. There's also a private transfer service, which is slightly more expensive than taxis, but will offer luxurious cars. If you don't mind longer flights, find a cheap flight from London -Istanbul that goes via Kiev, Bodrum, Riga or Cologne. If you book 2-3 months ahead, it is possible to find London - Istanbul flight deals that are better than last-minute ones.
To travel between London and Istanbul at a low cost, Easyvoyage provides two major pieces of information: the calendar and the price history for London - Istanbul flights. These elements will allow you to analyse the cheapest London - Istanbul flights by departure date.
The Topkapi Palace was the home of the Ottoman sultans for 4 centuries. With lavish décor and brilliant architecture, this palace is sensational. The opulent treasury and the harem are interesting slices of history that will delight scholars and tourists alike.
2 AyasofyaAyasofya is a glowing monument from the Byzantine era. Initially a church, it was later converted to a mosque. Now it's a museum showcasing centuries-old mosaics and marble pillars. The Ottoman sultans' tombs are also a major attraction.
3 Basilica CisternThis sixth century basilica, with 336 pillars, is a magical place. Supposedly built by 7000 slaves, this cathedral-cistern was used to store and provide water to the city centuries ago. Now with lights and music this is a tourist attraction not to be missed.
4 The Grand BazaarYou simply cannot come to Istanbul from London and not buy a traditional Turkish carpet. The Grand Bazaar has over 5000 vendors, and if you want to see and sample their wares, you need an entire day. Prices are negotiable and haggling is a general practice.
5 Ayasofya bathhouseThe Ayasofya hamam (bathhouse) is an alternate spa experience. After your long London - Istanbul trip, wash off your exhaustion at the marbled bathing area. Relax with a Turkish massage and prepare for another day of exploring this glorious city.