Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to Turkey

Direct flight routes to Turkey

Multiple European cities offer non-stop flights to Turkish destinations, with Istanbul being the primary gateway.

• London Heathrow – Istanbul: Turkish Airlines, 3h 45m


• Paris CDG – Istanbul: Air France/Turkish Airlines, 3h 30m


• Frankfurt – Istanbul: Lufthansa/Turkish Airlines, 3h 10m


• Amsterdam – Istanbul: KLM/Turkish Airlines, 3h 25m


• Rome – Istanbul: Turkish Airlines/ITA Airways, 2h 30m

Layover/stopover options

Vienna International (VIE) – Austrian Airlines hub, typical connection time 1h 45m, efficient terminal layout for quick transfers. Access to Star Alliance lounge network.

Munich (MUC) – Lufthansa’s secondary hub, average connection time 2h, compact terminal design. Excellent railway connections if extended layover.

Warsaw Chopin (WAW) – LOT Polish Airlines hub, typical connection time 1h 30m, competitive prices for Eastern European connections. Simple terminal layout.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Layover options through Eastern European hubs often offer 30-40% savings compared to direct flights.

Tips and recommendations

• Book Tuesday/Wednesday flights for best rates on both direct and layover options


• Consider opposite season booking: summer flights are cheaper when booked in winter and vice versa


• Check Turkish Airlines’ stopover program in Istanbul for free hotel on longer layovers


• Morning departures from Europe typically offer better connection options and lower risk of delays


• Eastern European carriers often provide better value for money than Western European airlines on Turkey routes

• Turkish Airlines’ secondary European hubs offer significantly lower fares – particularly from Hamburg, Brussels, and Manchester to Istanbul, with prices up to 30% below main hub rates. These routes utilize the same modern A321neo aircraft with identical comfort levels as primary hubs but operate at off-peak times.
• Flying via Warsaw on LOT Polish Airlines to Istanbul typically costs 15-25% less than direct flights from Western Europe, while offering generous 32-inch seat pitch in economy. The airline’s evening departures from Warsaw allow convenient connections from Scandinavia and Baltic states.
• Pegasus Airlines’ new route from Berlin Brandenburg to Ankara launched in January 2024 provides a budget-friendly alternative with fares averaging €89 one-way. The route uses A320neo aircraft with redesigned slim-line seats offering surprising comfort for a low-cost carrier.
• Utilizing SunExpress connections through Izmir from German cities saves about 20% compared to direct Istanbul flights, while providing direct access to Turkish Riviera destinations. Their Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft feature modern interiors with 30-inch pitch and USB power at every seat.
• For premium comfort at moderate prices, Austrian Airlines’ Vienna-Istanbul route offers exceptional value with fares typically 25% below Lufthansa’s Frankfurt prices. The route features Airbus A320 aircraft with industry-leading 33-inch pitch in economy and priority security lanes in Vienna for all passengers.

1. Avoiding layovers at Istanbul Airport (IST) Many travelers choose more expensive direct flights to other Turkish airports when IST offers excellent connection opportunities and duty-free shopping during longer layovers.


2. Booking summer flights too late Flight prices to Turkish coastal destinations like Antalya and Dalaman skyrocket from June to August, so waiting until the last minute can cost travelers up to 300% more than early bookings.


3. Not checking the airport location Some travelers mistakenly book flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) without realizing it’s on the Asian side of the city, resulting in longer and more expensive transfers to popular tourist areas.


4. Flying during Ramadan without preparation Booking flights during the end of Ramadan and Eid holidays means dealing with peak local travel times, full flights, and higher prices that could be easily avoided.


5. Ignoring Turkish Airlines’ stopover program Many travelers miss out on the free hotel stays and Istanbul tours offered by Turkish Airlines for long layovers, which could add extra value to their journey.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most extensive route network from Europe with direct flights from 120+ European cities to Turkey.

Operates from major hubs like London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Frankfurt with multiple daily frequencies. Economy class offers generous 32-inch seat pitch, complimentary meals with Turkish and international cuisine, and personal entertainment systems. Consistently rated among top European carriers with 4/5 average passenger rating. Their Istanbul hub provides efficient connections to other Turkish destinations.

Lufthansa

Best for: Superior punctuality and reliability with 98% completion rate on Turkey routes.

Serves Turkish destinations from 45 European cities, primarily through Frankfurt and Munich hubs. Notable for consistent service quality, comfortable economy seats with 31-inch pitch, and structured meal service. Operates modern A320/321 fleet on these routes. Passenger satisfaction averages 3.8/5, with particular praise for crew professionalism.

Pegasus Airlines

Best for: Most affordable fares, averaging 20-30% lower than legacy carriers.

Connects 35 European airports to Turkey, with main routes from London Stansted, Amsterdam, and Paris Orly. While a low-cost carrier, offers reasonable 29-inch seat pitch and paid meal options. Operates new A320neo aircraft family. Receives 3.5/5 average rating, with high marks for value for money.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Best for: Most reliable baggage handling with 99.3% delivery rate and shortest connection times in Europe.

Serves Turkish destinations from 30 European cities via Amsterdam hub. Economy cabin features comfortable seats with 31-inch pitch, quality meal service, and friendly Dutch hospitality. Modern Boeing 737 fleet on most routes. Maintains 4/5 passenger rating, particularly praised for smooth connections and professional service.

Using APAC carriers for Europe-Turkey routes

Savvy travelers can leverage Asian carriers’ competitive pricing and unique routing options when flying between Europe and Turkey. This strategy often yields significant savings while providing excellent service quality.

Key advantages

1. Lower fares through alternate hubs – Airlines like Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways frequently offer reduced rates on routes connecting through their Asian hubs, even for Europe-Turkey journeys
2. Extended layover opportunities – Many APAC carriers offer free stopover programs in their hub cities, essentially providing two destinations for the price of one
3. Better aircraft – Asian carriers often deploy newer wide-body aircraft on these routes, providing superior comfort compared to European budget airlines

Best booking practices

Book these flights 4-6 months in advance when APAC carriers release their best fares. Focus on routes through Singapore, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur. Consider multi-city bookings to maximize stopover benefits. Check Turkish Airlines’ prices first as a benchmark, then compare with Asian carriers’ offers through flight aggregators.

While flight duration may be longer, the potential savings of 30-50% make this strategy worthwhile for flexible travelers.