Cheap flights Manchester to Istanbul

November is the cheapest month to fly this route, and the weeks on either side of it often stay low until the Christmas rush begins. Summer, from June through August, is peak season for Turkish holidays, so fares climb, and the same happens around Easter, the New Year and school breaks. Midweek departures, especially Tuesday and Wednesday, usually cost less than Friday or Sunday flights. For summer travel, book well ahead; for November you can often leave it later and still find a good fare. If your dates are flexible, compare the whole month rather than one day.

Low-cost carriers such as Pegasus, Easyjet, Jet2 and Sun Express keep the direct fares keen, but they charge extra for checked bags, seat selection and food. Turkish Airlines and British Airways fly the route as full-service, with a baggage allowance and a meal in the fare. You will also see Iberia Express, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Airlines and Bangkok Airways in the results, usually as connecting itineraries through their own hubs rather than non-stop. Compare the total cost with bags added rather than the headline fare, because a seat-only ticket can end up costing more than a full-service one.

Istanbul Airport sits on the European side, well outside the city, and the transfer into the centre takes a good while in traffic. Sabiha Gokcen is on the Asian side, further from the classic Sultanahmet sights, so allow extra time if you land there. Both airports have taxi ranks, shuttle services and car hire, and both are big enough that you should know your onward plan before you land. Check which airport your ticket actually uses: the two are on opposite sides of the Bosphorus, and crossing the city between them eats a lot of time. If you arrive late, sort your transfer in advance.

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 Manchester International, the city's only departure airport for this route.
• Add up baggage fees on low-cost fares before you compare prices.
• If a connection is on separate tickets, leave a generous gap in case the first flight is delayed.
• Make sure your passport and any entry rules for Turkey are in order before you book.
• Look at the price calendar around November, the cheapest month, and stay flexible on dates.
• Decide which Istanbul airport suits your plans, since the two are far apart.