Planning a Holiday to Turkey? Everything You Need to Know Before You Book
By Mr Plane Guy | Travel Blogger & Flight Expert
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog flying (and fuels my airport lounge coffee addiction).
Turkey is one of those destinations I keep going back to. Whether I'm flying into Istanbul for a city break, heading to Dalaman for Marmaris, or planning my next adventure to Cappadocia, there's something about Turkey that keeps pulling me back.
But after countless flights and holidays, I've also learnt something else...
Most people start planning their Turkey holiday in completely the wrong order.
They search for flights.
Then hotels.
Then transfers.
Then luggage.
Then they realise they forgot airport parking, mobile data and travel money.
Here's exactly how I plan every trip to Turkey before I book a single thing.
If it saves you £20... fantastic. If it saves you £300....that's another few cocktails overlooking the Aegean.
QUICK ANSWER EXPRESS
Planning a holiday to Turkey? Compare package prices before booking flights separately, check which Turkish airport is actually closest to your resort, factor in baggage and transfers, and sort your airport parking, lounge access and mobile data before you leave.
Step One: Don't Book Your Flights First
This is probably the biggest travel tip I can give. Before I even think about booking flights, I spend two minutes comparing package holidays.
Why? Because package holidays can sometimes work out cheaper than booking flights and hotels separately.
I always compare prices first using IceLolly, which searches millions of package holiday deals from many of the UK's biggest holiday companies in one place. Even if I end up booking everything separately, I've only lost two minutes. More often than not...
I've saved a lot more than that.
Plane tip: Compare like-for-like, baggage and transfers included in a package can change the maths considerably.
Step Two: Finding Cheap Flights
If booking flights separately does work out cheaper, I don't waste hours searching dozens of airline websites.
Instead, I normally:
Compare airline prices
Check for airline sales
See if Jack's Flight Club has found any exceptional fares
I've used Jack's Flight Club for years and it's one of my favourite tools for discovering flight deals I'd never have found myself.
If your travel dates are flexible, it's definitely worth checking before booking.
I also compare nearby departure airports and, if my dates are flexible, check a day either side. A £40 cheaper flight isn't much of a saving if getting to a different airport costs another £70.
Which Airlines Fly to Turkey?
One thing I like about Turkey is the choice. You don't have to rely on one airline.
I've flown several of them over the years.
Pegasus Airlines
Usually the airline I check first. Pegasus often offers some of the cheapest fares into Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and many other Turkish destinations.
I've got a full Pegasus Airlines guide and review if you're wondering what it's actually like to fly with them. Pegasus Airlines Gatwick to Istanbul: Flights, Baggage, Reviews & Everything You Need to Know.
British Airways
If you're flying from London Gatwick, British Airways also operates flights to Dalaman during the summer season and is often worth comparing against Pegasus and easyJet.
easyJet
Great for leisure routes, particularly Dalaman and Antalya, with frequent departures during the summer.
Ryanair
Seasonal routes can offer excellent value if you're travelling light. Ryanair don't have a lot of routes to Turkey. I will list the few routes to Turkiye that they do have.
From Ireland: Direct flights depart from Dublin (DUB) to Dalaman.
From the United Kingdom: Direct flights depart from London Stansted (STN) to both Dalaman and Bodrum.
Wizz Air
Often overlooked, but occasionally one of the cheapest options depending on where you're flying from.
AJet: Affordable direct connections to secondary cities and Ankara.
SunExpress: Joint venture of Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, great for seasonal holiday flights to Turkish coastal destinations.
Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
Turkey is a huge country.
Choosing the right airport can save you hours.
Istanbul Airport (IST) Major international gateway on the European side of Istanbul. Which Istanbul airport works best will depend on where you're staying and the airline you're flying.
Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) On the Asian side and Pegasus Airlines' main hub. It's also useful for connecting onwards to destinations across Türkiye.
Dalaman (DLM) Best for Marmaris, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz.
Antalya (AYT) Best for Antalya, Lara Beach, Belek and resorts along the Turkish Riviera.
Bodrum (BJV) Best for Bodrum and surrounding Aegean resorts.
Izmir (ADB) Useful for Izmir and parts of the Aegean coast.
And absolutely add:
Cappadocia – Kayseri (ASR) or Nevşehir (NAV) Cappadocia doesn't have one main airport bearing its name. Most visitors fly into Kayseri or Nevşehir and continue to Göreme by road. I flew Pegasus via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen to Kayseri. guide to getting from London to Cappadocia via Istanbul
How Long Does It Take to fly to Turkey?
One of the reasons Turkey is such an easy holiday from the UK is the flight time.
Approximate direct flight times are:
London to Istanbul – around 4 hours
London to Dalaman – around 4 hours 15 minutes
London to Antalya – around 4 hours 30 minutes
You're close enough for a long weekend, but far enough away to feel like you've escaped Europe.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Turkey?
Personally? May, June, September and October. You'll usually enjoy warm sunshine, pleasant evenings and fewer crowds than peak summer.
July and August can be extremely hot, particularly around Antalya where temperatures regularly exceed 35°C. For Istanbul and Cappadocia, I particularly like the shoulder seasons when sightseeing is more comfortable. For a proper beach holiday around Dalaman or Antalya, summer brings the heat, although July and August can be seriously hot.
Turkish Lira, Cards & Spending Money
Turkey uses the Turkish Lira (TRY).
I normally use a travel-friendly card for most purchases and keep a small amount of Turkish lira for places where cash is easier.
If you're interested in earning points while you spend, I use the Hilton Honors Debit Card...
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops, although I still carry a little cash for taxis and local markets.
The Hilton Honors Debit Card currently offers the chance to earn Hilton Honors Points on eligible spending, helping your holiday contribute towards future hotel stays.
Always check the latest eligibility criteria, fees and terms before applying.
Plane tip: If a card terminal or ATM offers to convert the transaction into pounds, check the exchange rate before accepting. Paying in local currency is often preferable, depending on your card.
Don't Get Caught Out by Turkish Airport Food Prices
Here's one thing that surprised me. Airport food in Turkey can be expensive.
Very expensive.
At airports like Dalaman and Antalya, don't be shocked if a burger, fries and a drink costs the equivalent of around £25 once you're through security.
It's one of the reasons I always check whether lounge access makes sense before I travel.
Sometimes it can genuinely work out better value than buying food in the terminal.
Compare the lounge price before you buy airport food.
If you're planning to eat, have a couple of drinks and spend a few hours at the airport, lounge access can sometimes represent surprisingly good value.
I also use Priority Pass when travelling. If you're considering membership, I've put together a separate guide explaining how it works and how to get my latest Priority Pass discount.
Stay Connected in Turkey Without Roaming Charges
One thing I never travel without now is an eSIM.
Rather than paying expensive roaming charges or hunting for a local SIM card after landing, I activate my data before I even leave home.
I've compared several providers in my full travel eSIM guide. Having data as soon as I land means I can check my transfer, use maps, message the hotel and order transport without hunting around the airport for Wi-Fi.
My Favourite Place to Stay
If you're heading to Marmaris, I can't recommend Cook's Club Adakoy enough.
Adults only.
Beautiful setting.
Fantastic food.
One of those hotels where you genuinely don't want to leave.
I've written a full review if you're considering staying there.
Where I've Stayed in Turkey
Marmaris – Cook's Club Adakoy
Istanbul – Ritz-Carlton Istanbul
Cappadocia – Doors of Cappadocia
My Turkey Planning Checklist
Before every trip, this is exactly what I check.
✔ Compare package holidays first
✔ Compare flight prices
✔ Check Jack's Flight Club for deals
✔ Compare Pegasus, British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air
✔ Book airport parking
✔ Download an eSIM before you go!
✔ See if a Priority Pass lounge is available
✔ Pack the right cabin bag
✔ Arrange travel insurance
✔ Check airport transfer options
I've travelled to Turkey enough times to know one thing. The cheapest holiday isn't always the cheapest flight. Sometimes it's the package holiday. Sometimes it's flying on different dates. Sometimes it's simply comparing airlines properly before booking.
That's why I never book the first flight I see.
I compare.
I plan.
Then I book.
It only takes a few extra minutes...
...and it could leave you with a lot more money to spend on what really matters. Like another sunset dinner overlooking the marina.
Or one more cocktail by the pool.
More Turkey Guides
Before you fly, you might also find these useful:
Find Flights to Turkiye
Flying with Pegasus Airlines makes Istanbul a useful gateway for exploring more of Türkiye. From London Gatwick, you can fly directly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and connect onwards to destinations across the country, which is exactly how I continued my trip to Cappadocia.
Pegasus now flies to 161 destinations across 57 countries, including 39 destinations within Türkiye, so Istanbul can be the start of a much bigger trip.
Heading to Cappadocia? Read my guide to getting from London to Cappadocia via Istanbul and see how I connected onwards to Kayseri.
Planning a Holiday to Turkey? Everything You Need to Know Before You Book
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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