If you are a keen traveler, you know that airline prices vary across the internet, and it is the same when traveling to Turkey via airlines. Honestly, there may be several dozen different fares for the same flight, and unfortunately, no one agency or website always gives the lowest fare. So you've got to shop around.
Ironically, one must laugh when thinking that the airline industry is very much like Istanbul's Grand Bazaar: How much does it cost to fly to Turkey? Well, how much are you willing to pay? However, we have some tips and platforms for getting the cheapest flights to Turkey.
Advice for Finding Cheap Flights to Turkey
While no advice always works, we have some general tips and strategies to guide you through the process with the least hassle and cost. The suggestions below are our recommendations for finding cheap flights to Turkey:
1. Wait for the Best Time
The cheapest months to fly to Turkey are usually December and January. The highest ticket prices are seen in June and July.
While ticket prices are a bit lower in May, August, and September, you can find the cheapest tickets with the best deals in March and November.
2. Book Your Own Reservations
You would be surprised to see the price difference between booking online versus through an international tourism agency! For flights to Turkey and domestic flights within Turkey, you can save a huge amount of money just by making your own reservations online or through one of our recommended Turkish travel agencies.
3. Use the Correct Platforms
While there are multiple platforms on the web for booking your flight to Turkey, not all will offer the same prices. The websites listed below are good to check for finding a cheap flight to Turkey and, in fact, to any airfare, whether to Turkey or elsewhere. We recommend bookmarking this page so you can return and use the links later when shopping for airplane tickets.
Airfare Search Engines
The links below are to airfare meta-search engines that will be helpful when finding the best deals. An airfare meta-search engine is a search engine (like Google) that searches other search engines.
These links will take you to recommended and reputable airfare meta-search engines, roughly in our order of preference. Look for fares on a few of them before buying. Also, to avoid complications as much as possible, book directly from the airline's website whenever possible.
(Note: most of these search engines will search one another, so you don't need to go through all of them but do try more than one.)
Google Flights
When it comes to searching online, Google is the most convenient and easiest choice. Similarly, Google Flights is fast, reputable, and works well!
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is another popular option when searching for affordable flight tickets. It is easy to use, and many people share their results on social media.
Expedia
Expedia is the most well-known firm when it comes to consolidators. You can book hotels, cars, flights, and more using their platform and possibly find good deals.
Kayak
Kayak is another popular option. Results are presented in a clear, useful format, with all taxes and fees included, but fares might often be more expensive on Kayak than on other airfare meta-search engines.
Traveling From Europe
Besides Pegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Sun Express, several smaller, low-cost European airlines operate cheap flights to Turkey.
Many lower-priced flights and domestic flights go to Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, not to Istanbul's newest and biggest Istanbul Airport, located on the European side of the Bosphorus.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is much farther from the center of historic Istanbul and not as convenient for ground transport as Istanbul Airport, but the airfares are certainly lower. Here's how to travel to and from Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
Regardless of your destination, Efendi Travel in Istanbul operates a great value-for-money private transfer service from both airports (Istanbul and Sabiha Gökçen) that's far superior to a taxi, and not much more expensive.
Domestic Airlines in Turkey
You will save huge amounts of money by booking your domestic Turkish airfares online directly from the airlines' websites or through a good travel agency located in Turkey.
Turkish Airlines
One of the popular airlines in Europe and Turkey, Turkish Airlines operates many flights worldwide, from Europe to Asia. While a bit pricey, it may be the most reputable firm when traveling to Turkey.
AnadoluJet Airlines
AnadoluJet is a subbrand of Turkish Airlines operating as a low-cost regional airline. However, you can find international flights to and from some destinations in Europe.
Sun Express Airlines
Sun Express is a low-fare Turkish-German joint airline that operates between most locations in Europe, Turkey, and between many cities in Turkey.
Pegasus Airlines
This Turkish airline flies from many European countries to Turkey. You can also use Pegasus Airlines within Turkey to travel to many cities.
International Airlines to Turkey
Corendon
Based in the Netherlands, Corendon flies from the Netherlands, Curacao, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, and more to Antalya, Izmir, Pamukkale, Kayseri (for Cappadocia), and more locations in Turkey.
easyJet
easyJet is another affordable budget flight option that also flies from the UK and various locations to different airports in Turkey.
Eurowings
Eurowings operates flights from Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne-Bonn, Stuttgart, and other European locations to mostly Antalya and Izmir in Turkey.
Book Your Flight to Turkey
Turkey is a popular vacation destination located between Europe and Asia. Many airlines fly to Turkey, and while there are many options, not all have fair prices.
So, you must shop around when booking your flight to Turkey and check multiple platforms. Regardless of your choice, remember to enjoy your time in Turkey.
—by Tom Brosnahan, updated by Can Turan
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