Cheap flights from London to Istanbul from £68

As a guide, the lowest fare from London to Istanbul paid on eDreams recently was £68. Searching with flexible dates is the easiest way to get close to it.

London to Istanbul flights land at one of Istanbul's two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). The flight time is about four hours, covering a distance of about 1,500 miles.

Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Wizz Air fly non-stop between London and Istanbul, from Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton. Pegasus Airlines flies non-stop from London Stansted to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen.

The flight path from London to Istanbul runs south-east across the English Channel and Western European countries such as Belgium and Germany, then over Hungary and Bulgaria to Turkey.

Airlines operating between London and Istanbul include:

• British Airways: non-stop
• Turkish Airlines: non-stop
• Wizz Air: non-stop
• Pegasus Airlines: non-stop from Stansted to Sabiha Gökçen
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: via Amsterdam
• Lufthansa: via Frankfurt

Flights from London land at one of Istanbul's two airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side of the city, or Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) on the Asian side.

Istanbul Airport is used by Turkish Airlines and British Airways. Metro line M11 links it with the city's metro network, with connections towards the historic centre.

Sabiha Gökçen is the airport of Pegasus Airlines and AJet. Metro line M4 runs from the airport to Kadıköy on the Asian shore, where ferries cross the Bosphorus to the European side.

April is a great time to visit Istanbul, as the cold winter temperatures give way to pleasantly warm sunshine. The city's many attractions are also less crowded at this time of year.

In April, the Istanbul Tulip Festival fills Emirgan Park and other city parks with tulips in bloom.

October in Istanbul is also recommended. The tourist-season crowds have dwindled and the searing summer heat has eased. For music lovers, the Akbank Jazz Festival takes place at venues across the city over a two-week period.

Useful information about London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow lies about 25km west of central London. Its four terminals each have a wide range of passenger facilities, including shops, restaurants, bars and free WiFi.

Ways to reach Heathrow from central London:

• Heathrow Express: the fastest option, with non-stop trains taking about 15 minutes from Paddington Station
• Elizabeth line: direct trains from central London stations such as Paddington and Liverpool Street to the airport
• Piccadilly line: take the westbound Tube to the Heathrow station for your terminal, a journey of less than an hour
• Coach: services from Victoria Coach Station take around 45 minutes to an hour
• Taxi: between 45 minutes and an hour to the airport, depending on traffic

Useful information about London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick lies about 47km south of London and has two terminals, North Terminal and South Terminal, with shops and places to eat and drink.

Ways to reach Gatwick from central London:

• Train: services from Victoria Station, including the Gatwick Express, take up to 45 minutes
• Coach: coach services from Victoria Coach Station take just over an hour to the airport
• Taxi: taxis take about 45 minutes from central London, depending on traffic

Useful information about London Stansted Airport

London Stansted is the departure airport for the Pegasus Airlines flights to Sabiha Gökçen. The Stansted Express train runs from central London to the airport, and Terravision coaches offer a cheaper alternative.

Istanbul's best-known sights span Ottoman palaces, historic bazaars and the waters of the Bosphorus:

• Topkapi Palace: the 15th-century residence of the Ottoman sultans, now a museum dedicated to that period
• Hagia Sophia: the great domed building of the Byzantine era, which has served as church, mosque and museum
• Blue Mosque: the Sultan Ahmed Mosque facing Hagia Sophia, named for the blue tiles that line its interior
• Basilica Cistern: the vast underground Byzantine water reservoir, its roof held up by rows of marble columns
• Bosphorus: boat trips along the strait between Europe and Asia, passing waterside palaces and villages beyond the city centre
• Grand Bazaar: the historic covered market, in operation since 1461 and open to explore whatever the weather
• Spice Bazaar: the Egyptian Bazaar near the Galata Bridge, packed with stalls of spices, dried fruit and Turkish delight
• Gülhane Park: one of the oldest parks in the city, beside Topkapi Palace, whose name means 'rose house'