Cheap flights from Belfast to Istanbul

October is the cheapest month for this route, and the price calendar covers September through April, so the whole autumn-to-spring stretch is worth comparing before you commit to dates. Christmas, New Year and the spring school breaks push fares up in both Belfast and Istanbul, so book those trips well ahead. If your dates are flexible, midweek departures are usually quieter and cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights. Late September and early November are good compromises when October itself is busy or sold out.

Every itinerary on this route is a connection, usually through a European hub, so the airline you pick decides where you change and how long you wait. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and British Airways sell full-service tickets where a checked bag and meals are normally part of the fare. Easyjet, Jet2 and Emerald Airlines are the low-cost options, and there the fare usually buys a seat and a small cabin bag only. Aer Lingus sits in between, depending on the fare type. Always read what is included before comparing prices.

You will land at either Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen, and the two are far apart, so check which one your connection uses before you plan the last leg into the city. Both sit well outside the centre, and the transfer takes real time — allow more than you think you need, especially on an evening arrival. Public transport and taxis are the usual ways into town, and an airport bus or a licensed taxi is simplest if you are carrying bags. If your onward connection is tight, staying airside at the first airport beats crossing the city.

Currency

TRY (₺)

Power sockets

Type C, F · 230 V

Language

Turkish

Emergency number

112, 177

Driving side

right

Calling code

+36

Internet domain

.tr

Population of Istanbul

15.7 M (2023)

Time zone

UTC+03 (Europe/Istanbul)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check that your ticket leaves from George Best City Airport and lands at the Istanbul airport you actually want.
• Price your checked bag into the fare on Easyjet, Jet2 and Emerald Airlines tickets, where it is usually an extra.
• If your itinerary is built from two separate tickets, a missed connection is your problem, not the airline's.
• Carry a passport with plenty of validity left and check Turkey's current entry rules before you book.
• Compare October against the rest of the September-to-April window before you lock in your dates.