Flights to Izmir from UK
Compare cheap direct fares from London, Manchester, Birmingham & more — all major airlines compared
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Based on historical fare data from UK airports to Izmir Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)
Direct flights from major UK airports to Izmir Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
Izmir fares from UK peak sharply during summer and major Turkish public holidays, so book early for peak season travel
EasyJet, Pegasus and Wizz Air release cheap Izmir fares months ahead, but their low-fare seats go fast for July and August. Turkish Airlines full-service fares on the same dates can often match or beat budget all-in prices once you add luggage. Book by April for summer school holiday travel.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday departures on UK-Izmir routes are consistently 10–20% cheaper than Friday and weekend departures. On peak summer routes like London Gatwick to Izmir Sabiha Gökçen, this flexibility can save £40–£100 per person return.
Budget carriers often fly into Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on Izmir’s Asian side, which is 60–90 minutes from the city centre vs 30–45 minutes from IST via metro. For short city breaks, flights into Izmir Airport (IST) often save time and cost. Call TripNext for advice on which airport suits your plans.
Everything you need to know before you fly from the UK to Izmir Airport
Izmir is one of the world’s great cities — straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait and drawing over 15 million international tourists each year. UK visitors are consistently among the largest visitor groups, captivated by the extraordinary concentration of history, culture, world-famous cuisine and the magnetic energy of a city of 15 million people.
From the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet to the Grand Bazaar, Topkapı Palace, Galata Tower and the vibrant Karaköy neighbourhood, Izmir rewards every type of traveller. At under 4 hours from London direct, it’s the perfect long weekend city break, a culturally immersive family holiday or a bucket-list destination combining East and West in a single extraordinary city.
The UK is home to a large and established Turkish community, making UK-Izmir one of the most heavily travelled visiting-friends-and-relatives (VFR) routes in Europe. Families visiting relatives in Izmir benefit from Turkish Airlines’ generous baggage allowance (up to 30kg economy), competitive fares from multiple UK airports and excellent connections to cities across Turkey including Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Trabzon via Izmir’s massive airport hub.
Izmir is also outstanding for families exploring with children — with boat trips on the Bosphorus, Miniaturk open-air museum, the interactive Rahmi Koç Museum, ferry rides to the Princes’ Islands, incredible street food culture and exceptionally child-friendly hospitality throughout the city.
Izmir is Turkey’s commercial capital and one of the most important business hubs between Europe and the Middle East. The city hosts major trade shows including Izmir Jewellery Show, Izmir Textile and Apparel Exporter Birlikleri events, and serves as the regional HQ for hundreds of multinational companies operating across the MENA and Central Asian markets.
Turkish Airlines Business Class (Business Comfort) on wide-body aircraft including Boeing 787 and 777 offers a strong product on UK-Izmir routes, with fully flat beds on longer configurations. For UK business travellers, Izmir Airport’s enormous connectivity — with direct connections to over 300 destinations — makes it an increasingly useful hub for onward travel to Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Plan your flights around Izmir’s biggest events, Turkish public holidays and UK school holiday periods — 2026 to 2027
| Event / Season | Approx. Dates (2026–27) | Why It Matters | Demand Level | Book By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Izmir Low Season | Jan – Feb 2027 | Quietest time, lowest fares, cooler weather | Best Value | Book any time |
| Izmir Tulip Festival | Apr 2027 | Spectacular spring blooms across the city’s parks | High | 8–10 weeks ahead |
| Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) | Late Mar 2027 (approx) | Major holiday — UK Turkish community drives very high demand | Peak | 12–16 weeks ahead |
| UK Easter School Holidays | Apr 2027 | Family city breaks to Izmir | High | 10–12 weeks ahead |
| Izmir Summer Peak Season | Jun – Aug 2026 & 2027 | Best weather — busiest season, fares spike | Peak | 10–14 weeks ahead |
| Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) | Early Jun 2027 (approx) | Long holiday period — flights fill very quickly | Peak | 12–14 weeks ahead |
| UK Summer School Holidays | Jul – Aug (annually) | Families and city-break travellers peak demand | Peak | 10–14 weeks ahead |
| Izmir Biennial (Art) | Sep – Oct 2027 | Major international contemporary art exhibition | High | 8 weeks ahead |
| UK October Half-Term | Late Oct 2026 & 2027 | Short break and family travel to Izmir | High | 8–10 weeks ahead |
| UK Christmas & New Year Travel | 23 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 | City break and visiting family demand peaks | Peak | 12+ weeks ahead |
| UK February Half-Term | Mid-Feb 2027 | Short city breaks — winter Izmir is atmospheric | High | 8–10 weeks ahead |
| Izmir Low Season (Winter) | Nov – Feb (annually) | Lowest fares, fewer crowds, cooler but rewarding | Best Value | Book any time |
Not sure when to fly to Izmir? Call +44 20 7550 8212 for expert advice from our Izmir specialists
Call Now for Best FaresGroup bookings of 4 or more often unlock fares and seat allocations not available online
Whether you’re taking a family holiday to Izmir’s Old City, visiting relatives in Turkey, organising a corporate trip or celebrating a special occasion in one of Izmir’s iconic rooftop restaurants, booking as a group with TripNext means personalised fare negotiation, airline advice and dedicated support from booking through to boarding.
The most commonly asked questions about booking flights from UK to Izmir, answered clearly
Compare all departure airports, airlines, Izmir arrival airports and direct flight times
| UK Airport | Code | Airlines to Izmir | Izmir Airport | Direct Flight Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow | LHR | Turkish Airlines, British Airways | IST (European) | 3h 40m – 4h | Multiple daily |
| London Gatwick | LGW | EasyJet, Turkish Airlines | IST SAW | 3h 45m – 4h | Daily |
| London Stansted | STN | Pegasus Airlines | SAW (Asian) | 3h 50m – 4h | Daily |
| London Luton | LTN | Wizz Air, Pegasus Airlines | SAW (Asian) | 3h 50m – 4h 10m | Multiple weekly |
| Manchester | MAN | Turkish Airlines, EasyJet, Pegasus Airlines | IST SAW | 4h 10m – 4h 30m | Daily |
| Birmingham | BHX | Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air | IST SAW | 4h – 4h 20m | Daily |
| Edinburgh | EDI | Turkish Airlines, EasyJet | IST | 4h 20m – 4h 45m | Multiple weekly |
| Glasgow | GLA | Turkish Airlines (seasonal) | IST | 4h 20m – 4h 45m | Seasonal |
Route availability and frequency changes seasonally. Call +44 20 7550 8212 for the latest schedule and fare information for your preferred departure airport.
Compare all airlines on price, baggage, service and routing for UK to Izmir flights
| Airline | Route | Economy Baggage | From (one-way) | Hub / Routing | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines Top Pick | Direct | 23–30 kg | £79 | Direct (IST) from LHR, MAN, BHX | Families, baggage, full service | |
| British Airways | Direct | 23 kg | £99 | Direct (IST) from LHR | Avios earners, Club Europe, Heathrow | |
| EasyJet | Direct | Not included | £59 | Direct (IST/SAW) from LGW, MAN | Budget hand-luggage-only travellers | |
| Pegasus Airlines | Direct | Not included | £59 | Direct (SAW) from STN, MAN, LTN | Lowest base fares, Asian Izmir | |
| Wizz Air | Direct | Not included | £55 | Direct (SAW) from LTN, BHX | Ultra-budget, hand luggage only | |
| Lufthansa / KLM | Connecting | 23 kg | £110 | via FRA / AMS | Miles & More / Flying Blue earners |
Prices are indicative. Fares vary by date, class and availability. Budget carrier baggage must be purchased separately. Call +44 20 7550 8212 for live pricing on any of these airlines.
Planning to bring shopping back from Izmir’s Grand Bazaar? Here’s what each airline allows on this route
UK citizens need a Turkish e-Visa before travel — it’s quick and easy to arrange online but essential before you fly
Entry requirements can change. Always verify the latest visa and entry rules on the official Turkish e-Visa website (evisa.gov.tr) and the UK government’s foreign travel advice page (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey) before booking. TripNext does not provide visa advice — the above is for general guidance only.
Maximise your savings with our expert timing recommendations for UK to Izmir flights
January – February · November
Jun – Sep · Eid Holidays · UK Summer
Book 4–8 weeks ahead off-peak; 10–14 weeks for summer and Eid travel
Mid-week departures save up to 20% compared to weekend flights
Hand-picked fares from major UK airports to Izmir Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW)
EconomyLondon
Izmir
LHR → IST
EconomyLondon
Izmir
LHR → IST
EconomyLondon
Izmir
LGW → IST
EconomyLondon
Izmir
STN → SAW
EconomyManchester
Izmir
MAN → IST
EconomyLondon
Izmir
LTN → SAW
Discover the iconic landmarks, historic sites and extraordinary neighbourhoods that make Izmir Europe’s most visited city
Expert advice from our Izmir specialists — read before you fly
Seasonal GuideWhen are UK to Izmir fares cheapest? When is the weather ideal? When does demand from the Turkish community peak? A complete guide for UK travellers.
Airport GuideIzmir Airport on the European side vs Sabiha on the Asian side — transfer times, airlines, costs and which to choose for your trip.
Booking TipsTurkish Airlines vs budget carriers, e-Visa essentials, IST vs SAW airport choice, Eid travel strategy — how UK travellers save on Izmir fares.
Everything you need to know about booking flights to Izmir from the UK
Call TripNext on +44 7478 061159, send a WhatsApp message to +44 20 3370 6756, or fill in the booking form on this page. Our Izmir flight specialists compare fares across Turkish Airlines, British Airways, EasyJet, Pegasus, Wizz Air and more — including all-in prices with baggage that budget carrier headline fares don’t always show.
Yes. Multiple airlines operate direct (non-stop) flights from UK airports to Izmir. Turkish Airlines flies direct from London Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham to Izmir Airport (IST). British Airways flies direct from Heathrow. EasyJet from Gatwick and Manchester. Pegasus from Stansted and Manchester to Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). Wizz Air from Luton and Birmingham to SAW. The shortest direct flight time is approximately 3 hours 40 minutes from London.
Yes. UK citizens must obtain a Turkish e-Visa before travelling to Izmir. Apply online at evisa.gov.tr — the e-Visa costs approximately $55 USD, is valid for 90 days within a 180-day period and is issued within hours. Your passport must be valid for 6 months from your departure date from Turkey. Do not attempt to board a flight to Turkey without your e-Visa.
January, February and November offer the lowest fares for UK-Izmir flights as these fall outside Izmir’s peak summer tourism season. June to September is peak season with the best weather but highest prices, particularly during Eid holidays and UK school summer holidays. Budget carriers like Pegasus and Wizz Air release heavily discounted fares in low season — sometimes as low as £30–£50 one-way.
If you want full-service flights into Izmir Airport (IST) on the European side, London Heathrow with Turkish Airlines or British Airways offers the most choice. For the lowest fares, London Stansted (Pegasus to SAW), London Luton (Wizz Air to SAW) and London Gatwick (EasyJet to IST) are worth comparing. If you live in the North or Midlands, Manchester and Birmingham have strong direct connections to both IST and SAW.
Book Christmas and New Year flights to Izmir at least 10–12 weeks in advance — ideally by October for December travel. Izmir at Christmas and New Year is increasingly popular with UK travellers for its atmospheric bazaars and New Year celebrations. Turkish Airlines and British Airways business class seats sell out earliest. Budget carrier Christmas fares spike significantly in the final 6 weeks.
Sultanahmet is the historic heart of Izmir — ideal for first-time visitors wanting to walk to Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace. BeyoÄŸlu and Taksim are more modern and cosmopolitan with excellent restaurants and nightlife. Karaköy and Galata have become Izmir’s hippest neighbourhoods with boutique hotels and rooftop bars. For families, both Sultanahmet and BeyoÄŸlu offer excellent hotel options at a range of budgets.
No. EasyJet, Pegasus Airlines and Wizz Air do not include checked baggage in their base fares for UK-Izmir routes. Hold luggage must be purchased as an add-on, typically costing £20–£40 per bag each way depending on weight. A small under-seat bag is usually included free. Always compare the all-in price including baggage before booking — Turkish Airlines, which includes 23–30kg, can work out better value for travellers with hold luggage. Call TripNext for a live all-in comparison.
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Call, WhatsApp or submit the form — our UK-based Izmir specialists are ready to find you the best fare from your nearest airport.