Cheap flights from Bristol to Istanbul

September is the cheapest month on this route, and the autumn weeks around it often stay reasonable while the summer crowds thin out. October, November and the winter months can be good value too, with May and June picking up again as the weather improves. Midweek departures from Bristol, on a Tuesday or Wednesday, tend to cost less than a Friday or Sunday flight, and early morning or late evening slots are usually quieter. School breaks in either country, plus the big public holidays, push fares up sharply, so if your dates land near one, book as early as you can. If your plans are flexible, start with the price calendar and let it pick the week.

Several carriers sell tickets between Bristol and Istanbul. Easyjet, Jet2, Pegasus and Sun Express are the low-cost names, with fares that usually cover a seat and a small cabin bag and not much else. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus and Edelweiss Air are the full-service options, and they often route you through a hub rather than flying you straight there. Emerald Airlines and Accesrail turn up in some itineraries as part of a longer journey. Direct seats on the low-cost flights go first, so if you want a non-stop ticket, book early; if you would rather have more included, a connecting fare on a full-service airline can work out better.

Istanbul has two airports, Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen, and they sit on opposite sides of the city, so check which one your ticket uses before you plan the rest of your journey. Istanbul Airport lies well out on the European side, while Sabiha Gokcen serves the Asian side. Both are a proper transfer from the centre rather than a short hop, so allow time. Metro lines, airport buses and taxis all run into town, and a pre-booked transfer is the calmest option if you land late. Watch the traffic at peak hours, and if you are connecting to another flight, make sure both legs use the same airport.

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 which Istanbul airport your fare uses, since Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen are on opposite sides of the city.
• On Easyjet, Jet2, Pegasus and Sun Express fares, confirm what baggage is included before you pay for extras.
• If your itinerary mixes airlines or puts connections on separate tickets, leave plenty of time and know what happens if the first leg slips.
• Make sure your passport and any visa or entry rules for Turkey are in order well before departure.
• Fly in September if you can be flexible, and compare the months either side on the price calendar.
• If you are connecting through a hub, look at the total journey time rather than just the departure and arrival times.