Travelling from George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is 3 hours ahead of Belfast, where George Best Belfast City Airport is located.
Leave plenty of time to get on your flight from BHD to Istanbul. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during a peak period in general.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even explore another city. When browsing flights from BHD to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
You can travel to Türkiye (Turkey) for tourism purposes without a visa if you hold a passport from United Kingdom. But before reserving your cheap tickets from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul, make sure you have the latest information. Visa rules can change, and you may need some travel documentation if your trip is for work or other reasons.
BHD is about 8 kilometres from central Belfast. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 12 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 22 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near BHD:
How to find the cheapest flights from George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Istanbul
P4,644 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul. For a return flight on this route, the best price is P12,566. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares could change.
It's a good idea to book in advance if you want to get cheap tickets from BHD to Istanbul. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to departure.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul across the entire month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap tickets from BHD to Istanbul every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes around 50 minutes by car. It's approximately 48 kilometres away.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there by public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've hopped off your flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 57 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from BHD to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the most popular month to hop on a flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul while February is the quietest. To work out the best time to visit Istanbul, consider whether you like a lively atmosphere or a quieter vibe.
When booking your flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from BHD to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
After locking in your flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are essential stops on your Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from George Best Belfast City Airport to Istanbul isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Istanbul and explore on your own terms. We find deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.