Cheap flights from Leeds to Istanbul

November is the cheapest month on this route, and fares are published from September through February, so the price calendar is worth watching across the winter. Istanbul is quiet in low season: fewer crowds, easier hotel rates, and rain instead of warm evenings. Midweek departures from Leeds/Bradford tend to cost less than Friday and Sunday flights, and the weeks around Christmas, New Year and the February school break push prices up at both ends. Book a few weeks ahead for winter travel, and weigh a cheaper fare against a longer layover.

Seven airlines show up on this route, and every one of them means a connection rather than a non-stop flight. Jet2, Easyjet, Wizz Air Malta and Sun Express are the low-cost names: the fare buys a seat, and bags, seat choice and food come on top, so compare the total rather than the headline. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Aer Lingus and Emerald Airlines are full-service, with connections through their own hubs and fares that usually include more. Check which airport each option uses in Istanbul, because a routing into Sabiha Gokcen can cost you more time than money.

Istanbul has two airports and they sit on opposite sides of the city. Istanbul Airport is on the European side, the one most long-haul and full-service connections use, and it is a long ride from the historic centre. Sabiha Gokcen is on the Asian side, closer to the eastern districts but a slow trip across the bridges if you are staying in the old town. Both have metro links, airport buses and taxis; the metro is the one to trust when traffic is heavy. Check which airport your connection lands at before you book a hotel, and leave a generous buffer if you are changing airports during the same trip.

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

• There are no non-stop flights, so check where the connection is and how long the layover runs before you pick a fare.
• Leeds/Bradford is the city's only airport, so confirm your first leg leaves from there and not from another UK airport.
• On low-cost tickets, work out what a checked bag and a chosen seat add before you compare totals.
• Decide between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen early, since they are on opposite sides of the city.
• Check passport validity and current entry rules for Turkey before you pay.
• If you book the two legs on separate tickets, no airline has to rebook you after a missed connection.