Flying to Istanbul
Istanbul is served by the busy international airport Atatürk International Airport and the smaller Sabiha Gökçen International Airport on the Asian side of the city. Atatürk is around 23 km from the old city and Sabiha Gökçen is about 50 km east of the city. Travel to and from the airport is very straightforward with taxis costing in the region of £10. All hotels will arrange transfers to and from the airport. Sometimes free transport is included in the room rate as part of available promotional offers.
The national carrier is Turkish Airlines, which has direct flights from Istanbul to most major European cities including London , Paris, Manchester and Madrid. Germany has especially strong links Turkey and the routes between Germany and Turkey are frequently great value. You can fly economy, Business or First Class with Turkish Airlines. Economy flights start at around £220 from London in the high season with better bargains in off peak times. Flights from mainland Europe come in around £120. Turkish Airlines has an excellent service record was recognised and it was awarded European Airline of the year in 2013. In addition Istanbul is served by British Airways, Swiss Air, KLM and a number of other big brand airlines. Cheaper options to Istanbul include low cost offers with Easy Jet from London Luton to Sabiha Gökçen, Pegasus Airlines from Stansted and German Wings from Munich.
Travel to Turkish resorts
During the hectic summer months holiday makers can avail of regular flights from many European and UK regional airports to and from Antalya, Bordrum, Dalaman and Izmir. These charter flights leave from all major European hubs including London. They also serve a number of Eoropean and UK regional cities including Birmingham, Marseilles, Manchester, Belfast, Cologne, Dublin and Newcastle. In the shoulder season and the low season flights to the resort areas continue but are are less frequent. Travellers can rent a car at the airport for onward travel or they can organise low cost hotel transfer directly with their hotel.
The budget carriers which ply the routes to these beautiful blue flag resorts are Thomson Flights, Easy Jet, Monarch and Flythomascook. Bagging a low cost flight on these routes is easy. For example a flight from Newcastle to Antalya will cost as little as £110.
Package deals to the resorts are a great low cost option. Your local travel agents will provide details for flight and accommodation deals to fit every budget and taste.
Top tip for visiting Istanbul
Istanbul is the major hub from Turkish airlines and its list of outbound routes to exotic far flung destinations is extensive. Savvy travellers on route to Dubai, Australia, or Thailand can transit through Istanbul exploiting a two/three day stopover to sample the Turkish delights of the ancient city of Istanbul.
