There are 13 ways to get from London to Istanbul by plane, train, bus, night bus, night train, bus and ferry, car, car train or car ferry
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly London Heathrow to Istanbul • 6h 23m
Cheapest option
Fly London Stansted to Sabiha Gokcen • 7h 53m
11 alternative options
Fly London City to Istanbul • 8h 10m
Fly London Heathrow to Sabiha Gokcen • 7h 43m
Train, bus, night bus • 38h 3m
Bus • 42h 36m
Bus, night train • 2 days 3h
Bus and ferry, night train • 2 days 14h
Train, night train • 2 days 7h
Drive, Eurotunnel • 27h 47m
Drive, car ferry • 29h
London to Istanbul by train, subway, bus and night bus
The journey time between London and Istanbul is around 38h 3m and covers a distance of around 3186 km. This includes an average layover time of around 3h 1m. Operated by Eurostar, RATP Metro, TGV inOui and others, the London to Istanbul service departs from London St Pancras Intl and arrives in Istanbul Hotel Montenegro. Typically only one service runs weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.
1
Weekly Services
38h 3m
Average Duration
10.392 ₺
Cheapest Price
Questions & Answers
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Istanbul?
The cheapest way to get from London to Istanbul is to fly which costs £55 - £210 and takes 7h 53m.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Istanbul?
The quickest way to get from London to Istanbul is to fly which costs £110 - £600 and takes 6h 23m.
Is there a direct train between London and Istanbul?
No, there is no direct train from London to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from London St Pancras Intl and arriving at Yenikapi via Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi, Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf, Wien Hbf, Gara Bucureşti Nord and Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 7h.
How far is it from London to Istanbul?
The distance between London and Istanbul is 2498 km.
How do I travel from London to Istanbul without a car?
The best way to get from London to Istanbul without a car is to train and bus and night bus which takes 38h 3m and costs £280 - £600.
How long does it take to get from London to Istanbul?
It takes approximately 6h 23m to get from London to Istanbul, including transfers.
Where do I catch the London to Istanbul train from?
London to Istanbul train services, operated by Eurostar, depart from London St Pancras Intl station.
Bus or fly from London to Istanbul?
The best way to get from London to Istanbul is to fly which takes 6h 23m and costs £110 - £600. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs £160 - £180 and takes 42h 36m.
How long is the flight from London to Istanbul?
The quickest flight from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport is the direct flight which takes 3h 40m.
What is the time difference between London and Istanbul?
Istanbul is 3h ahead of London. It is currently 3:16 AM in London and 6:16 AM in Istanbul.
Launch map view
- Distance: 2498.5 km
- Duration: 6h 23m
What companies run services between London, England and Istanbul, Turkey?
Turkish Airlines, British Airways and nine other airlines fly from London Paddington to Istanbul Esenler Otogar hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from London Victoria to Istanbul Esenler Otogar via Bucharest, Gara de Nord, Eroilor, Păcii, and Bucharest in around 42h 36m.
Airlines
- Website
- turkishairlines.com
Flights from London Heathrow to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 5.500 ₺ - 31.000 ₺
Flights from London Gatwick to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 4.700 ₺ - 21.000 ₺
Flights from London Gatwick to Istanbul via Antalya
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 4.700 ₺ - 21.000 ₺
Flights from London Stansted to Sabiha Gokcen
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 2.700 ₺ - 7.500 ₺
Flights from London Stansted to Sabiha Gokcen via Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 2.700 ₺ - 7.500 ₺
Flights from London City to Istanbul via Dusseldorf
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- 5.000 ₺ - 18.000 ₺
- Website
- flypgs.com
Flights from London Stansted to Sabiha Gokcen
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 1.500 ₺ - 8.500 ₺
Flights from London Stansted to Sabiha Gokcen via Antalya
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- When
- Monday
- Estimated price
- 1.500 ₺ - 8.500 ₺
Flights from London Stansted to Sabiha Gokcen via Izmir
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 1.500 ₺ - 8.500 ₺
Flights from London Stansted to Sabiha Gokcen via Ankara
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- 1.500 ₺ - 8.500 ₺
- Website
- lufthansa.com
Flights from London Heathrow to Istanbul via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 8.500 ₺ - 29.000 ₺
Flights from London Gatwick to Istanbul via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 20m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 8.000 ₺ - 23.000 ₺
Flights from London City to Istanbul via Frankfurt
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 22m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- 5.500 ₺ - 16.000 ₺
- Website
- britishairways.com
Flights from London Heathrow to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 1m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 4.900 ₺ - 27.000 ₺
Flights from London Heathrow to Sabiha Gokcen
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 10m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 4.000 ₺ - 15.000 ₺
- Website
- klm.com
Flights from London City to Istanbul via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- 8.000 ₺ - 13.000 ₺
Flights from London Heathrow to Sabiha Gokcen via Amsterdam Schiphol
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 2.900 ₺ - 9.000 ₺
- Website
- wizzair.com
Flights from London Gatwick to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 3.300 ₺ - 17.000 ₺
Flights from London Luton to Istanbul
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- 1.800 ₺ - 4.500 ₺
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from London Heathrow to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 55m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 6.000 ₺ - 28.000 ₺
Flights from London Gatwick to Istanbul via Athens
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 25m
- When
- Wednesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- 4.600 ₺ - 14.000 ₺
- Website
- wizzair.com
Flights from London Gatwick to Istanbul via Budapest
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- When
- Wednesday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 2.200 ₺ - 8.500 ₺
Flights from London Luton to Istanbul via Budapest
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- 2.200 ₺ - 8.500 ₺
- Website
- luxair.lu
Flights from London City to Istanbul via Luxembourg
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- 5.000 ₺ - 18.000 ₺
- Website
- airserbia.com
Flights from London Heathrow to Istanbul via Belgrade
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- 4.700 ₺ - 18.000 ₺
- Website
- alitalia.com
Flights from London City to Istanbul via Milan Linate, Rome
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 5m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- 5.500 ₺ - 19.000 ₺
- Website
- flyone.eu
Flights from London Luton to Istanbul via Chisinau
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- 5.500 ₺ - 16.000 ₺
Train operators
- Phone
- +44 3451 27 29 20
- Website
- southernrailway.com
Train from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 33 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- 360 ₺ - 550 ₺
- Website
- https://www.southernrailway.com/
- Anytime Day Single
- 360 ₺ - 550 ₺
Comuter train
theguardian.com
First class interior
Southern Railway
Train Interior
happyrail.com
Exterior of Southern Railways train
Wikimedia Commons
Train Exterior
Wikimedia Commons
Train Exterior
Wikimedia Commons
Train Exterior
Wikimedia Commons
Train Interior
Wikimedia Commons
London Victoria
Wikipedia
- Phone
- +44 345 850 1530
- Website
- gatwickexpress.com
Train from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 30 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- 431 ₺
- Schedules at
- https://www.gatwickexpress.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables
- Website
- https://www.gatwickexpress.com/
- Anytime Day SIngle
- 431 ₺
- Phone
- 0345 026 4700
- Website
- thameslinkrailway.com
Train from London St Pancras Intl to Luton
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- 550 ₺ - 1.100 ₺
- Website
- https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/
- Anytime Day Single
- 550 ₺ - 800 ₺
- Anytime Day Single 1st Class
- 800 ₺ - 1.100 ₺
- Phone
- 03457 125 678
- Website
- eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk
Train from London St Pancras Intl to Luton
- Ave. Duration
- 24 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 500 ₺ - 2.500 ₺
- Website
- https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/
- Schedules at
- https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/timetables
- Standard
- 500 ₺ - 700 ₺
- 1st Class
- 1.700 ₺ - 2.500 ₺
180 Adelante Train Exterior
Wikipedia
360 Desiro Train Exterior
Wikipedia
Class 158 Train Interior
Flickr
Class 222 Train Exterior
Wikipedia
Standard Class interior
Wikipedia
EMT Train Exterior
Wikipedia
EMT Train Exterior
Wikimedia Commons
1st class EMT Interior
Wiki Commons
Ticket vending machine
BBC
Class 222 Meridian at St Pancras
Wikipedia
London St. Pancras
Wikipedia
King's Cross
Wiki
Rome2Rio's guide to Eurostar
Contact Details
- Phone
- +44 343 218 6186
- Website
- eurostar.com
Train from London St Pancras Intl to Paris Nord
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 22m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- 3.800 ₺ - 11.000 ₺
- Website
- https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en
- Business Premier
- 10.000 ₺ - 11.000 ₺
- Standard
- 3.800 ₺ - 4.600 ₺
- Standard Premier
- 5.000 ₺ - 6.500 ₺
Train from London St Pancras Intl to Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 4m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- 3.600 ₺ - 10.000 ₺
- Website
- https://www.eurostar.com/rw-en
- Business Premier
- 9.700 ₺ - 9.900 ₺
- Standard
- 3.600 ₺ - 3.900 ₺
- Standard Premier
- 4.700 ₺ - 6.000 ₺
E320 London-Paris Standard class
Business Traveller
International departures
The Man in Seat 61...
Standard (2nd) class seats
The Man in Seat 61...
Exterior of Eurostar
Wikipedia
2nd Class
Wikimedia
The Eurostar through France
Wikipedia
.jpg?uselang=id)
1st Class Interior of Eurostar
Wikimedia
Eurostar at St Pancras
Wikipedia
London St. Pancras
Wikipedia
King's Cross
Wiki
Gare du Nord Entrance
Wikipedia
- Phone
- +33 1 84 94 36 35
- Website
- en.oui.sncf
Train from Paris l'Est to Augsburg Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 3.800 ₺ - 6.500 ₺
- Website
- https://www.sncf.com/en
- 2nd Class
- 3.800 ₺ - 5.000 ₺
- 1st Class
- 4.700 ₺ - 6.500 ₺
- Phone
- +35929311111
- Website
- bdz.bg
Night train from Gara Bucureşti Nord to Halkali
- Ave. Duration
- 19h 44m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 440 ₺ - 950 ₺
- Website
- https://www.bdz.bg/en
- 2nd Class
- 440 ₺ - 650 ₺
- 1st Class
- 650 ₺ - 950 ₺
- Phone
- +49 0180 6 99 66 33
- Website
- bahn.com
Train from Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi to Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- 1.600 ₺ - 2.200 ₺
- Website
- https://www.bahn.com/en
#/media/File:ICE_4_Berlin_Hauptbahnhof_(3).jpg)
- Phone
- +43 51717
- Website
- nightjet.com
Night train from Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf to Wien Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 11m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- 2.100 ₺ - 6.500 ₺
- Website
- https://www.nightjet.com/en/#/home
- Sleeper Carriage
- 4.800 ₺ - 6.500 ₺
- Couchette Carriage
- 3.200 ₺ - 4.400 ₺
- Seating Carriage
- 2.100 ₺ - 3.000 ₺
.jpg)
- Phone
- +32 70 79 79 79
- Website
- belgiantrain.be
Night train from Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf to Wien Hbf
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 11m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- 1.800 ₺ - 2.700 ₺
- Website
- https://www.belgiantrain.be/en
- 2nd Class
- 1.800 ₺ - 2.700 ₺
- 1st Class
- 2.800 ₺ - 4.100 ₺
- Phone
- 0219521
- Website
- cfrcalatori.ro
Night train from Wien Hbf to Bucuresti Nord
- Ave. Duration
- 18h 24m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 2.800 ₺ - 3.200 ₺
- Website
- https://www.cfrcalatori.ro/en/
4 bert sleeper
AndyBTravels, DiscoverByRail.com
The Dacia Express couchette car
The Man in Seat 61
Train exterior
Romania Insider
Interior
Romania Journal
2nd class carrige
The Man in Seat 61...
InterCity exterior
Wikipedia
Inter Regio (IR) train
Wikipedia
Inter Regio (IR) interior
Wikipedia
CFR business car
Wikipedia
2nd class interior
Vagon web
- Phone
- +44 (0) 8443 35 35 35
- Website
- eurotunnel.com
Car train from Folkestone to Calais-Fréthun
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Website
- https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/
Bus operators
- Phone
- +381 11 7620255
- office@fudeks.rs
- Website
- fudeks.rs
Bus from Augsburg to Beograd
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- 1.300 ₺ - 2.900 ₺
- Schedules at
- en.fudeks.rs
- Book at
- fudeks.rs
- Phone
- +3590885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- citylines.eu
Night bus from Belgrade Zeleznicka to Istanbul Hotel Montenegro
- Ave. Duration
- 15h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- 1.400 ₺ - 1.600 ₺
- Schedules at
- citylines.eu
- Phone
- +40 745 766 766
- dispecerat@maxibustravel.ro
- Website
- maxibustravel.ro
Bus from London Victoria to Bucharest
- Ave. Duration
- 30h
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- 4.377 ₺
- Schedules at
- maxibustravel.ro
Rome2Rio's guide to FlixBus
Contact Details
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- flixbus.de
Bus from Bucharest to İstanbul Esenler bus station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- 1.500 ₺ - 2.100 ₺
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
Is there Wi-Fi on FlixBus?
Yes - FlixBus offers free Wi-Fi
Are there power outlets on FlixBus?
Yes
Does FlixBus offer meals or snacks?
Yes - snacks and drinks may be purchased from the driver. Please note, this is not available on all services.
- Phone
- 0040263701919
- latinoexpres@yahoo.com
- Website
- latinoexpres.ro
Bus and ferry from London Barking to Bucharest
- Ave. Duration
- 40h 2m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- 2.100 ₺ - 3.000 ₺
- Schedules at
- latinoexpres.ro
Ferry operators
- Phone
- 01304 448866.
- Website
- poferries.com
Car ferry from Dover to Calais
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- 1.600 ₺ - 2.200 ₺
- Website
- P&O Ferries
Pride of Kent Dover to Calais route
Fabian318
Spirit of Britain Dover to Calais route
Charles01
Spirit of France Dover to Calais route
2013harry
Pride of Bruges Hull to Zeebrugge
Spielvogel
Pride of York Hull to Zeebrugge route
Andy Beecroft
Pride of Hull Hull to Rotterdam route
Imagaril
Pride of Rotterdam Hull to Rotterdam route
Kees Tom
European Highlander Cairnryan to Larne line
Biggeral
European Causeway Cairnryan–Larne route
Albert Bridge
Food Court of the P&O Ferry
Direct Ferries
The deck lounge
Direct Ferries
Movies on board
Direct Ferries
Want to know more about travelling around Turkey
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Where does the London to Istanbul train arrive?
London to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Halkali station.
Which airlines fly from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport?
Air Serbia, Aegean Airlines, British Airways and two other airlines offer flights from London Heathrow Airport to Istanbul Airport.
Where can I stay near Istanbul?
There are 2354+ hotels available in Istanbul. Prices start at 780 ₺ per night.
How do I get to London Heathrow (LHR) Airport from London?
The best way to get from London to London Heathrow Airport is to train which takes 14 min and costs £4 - £35.