Budget Air Travel in Turkey 2024
How to Travel to and around Turkey on a Budget
If you are planning to travel to Turkey by air and would like to do it on a budget, then you have come to the right place. This travel guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting cheaper flights to and around this wonderful country in 2024.
It will give you all the essential information you need for a smooth and enjoyable journey and help you save money by looking at ways to cut you air travel costs. It will cover visa requirements, as well as airline options for both international and domestic flights, and tell you how to get from the airport in Turkey to your accommodation, we’ve got you covered.
Key Takeaways
- It is important to understand the visa requirements as well as the different types of visas available for travel to Turkey.
- There are several different budget airline options available for both domestic and International flights.
- The way you book your flight can make a difference to how much you pay.
- It is important to compare flight prices.
- Not taking into consideration baggage allowance can affect the price of your flight.
- There is a detailed explanation of arriving at both of Istanbul’s airports.
- We will look at alternative forms of transportation from the airport to your accommodation.
- There are tips to help you buy cheap airline tickets and try to find the best deals
Visa Requirements
Turkey is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but before planning your trip and buying you air ticket, it is important that you fully understand the visa requirements and types of visas that you need to get before entering the country.
The rules and regulations for visas for travel to Turkey change frequently and for that reason it is better that you check what rules apply to people with your nationality on an official Turkish government website. That way you can be sure to get the most up-to-date information. Here are two useful Turkish government websites to check. Visa requirements for nationalities, and E-visas.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is the national airline and it operates a huge number of both domestic and international flights. They have a modern fleet of aircrafts and offer excellent onboard services, However, in recent years their prices have increased considerably.
To be fair, they offer a more generous baggage allowance than their budget airline rivals, If you are travelling with a lot of baggage this can make a big difference to the final ticket price.
International Flights
In addition to Turkish Airlines, there are many other airlines that fly to Turkey (now officially called Türkiye) . Some popular long-haul carriers flying to Turkey include British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France, United, Thai, and Singapore Airlines, etc.
Many of these are premium airlines and can be quite expensive unless you purchase your tick well in advance. Buying a ticket from a budget airline company is often the best way to save money.
You should always compare flight prices with other airlines before buying your ticket. You can do this by using websites such as:
kayak, skyscanner, kiwi or google flights.
However, when you buy a ticket from one of these websites, you are usually buying it from a travel agent and do not have the same conditions as if you buy the flight directly from the airline company itself.
Turkish Budget Airlines
There are several popular Turkish budget airlines that you may not have heard about that offer both domestic and international flights to Turkey include:
- Pegasus Airlines
- SunExpress
- Ajet (which used to be Anadolu Jet until its name was changed in early 2024)
- Corendon Airways (This airline tends to specialise in flights to the city of Antalya)
If you plan to travel to or around Turkey, you should check out their websites to see if they can offer you a budget deal. Pegasus is the one that travels to the largest number of international and national destinations and should be the first one that you try.
International Budget Airlines
There are also many non-Turkish budget airlines that offer international flights to Turkey from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including:
- Ryanair.
- EasyJet
- Jet 2
- Wizz Air
- Eurowings
- Transavia
- TUI
- FlyNas
- FlyDubai
- Flyadeal
- Air Arabia
- Jazeera
- Indigo
Baggage Allowance on Budget Airlines
When you book a ticket with a budget airline, it’s important to find out about the baggage allowance and all the additional charges for taking excess baggage.
It is always a good idea to take only the essential things you need in your luggage. Many things may be cheaper to buy in Turkey than in your home country.
Each budget airline has its own baggage policy and may have restrictions on the size, and weight of bags. Some of them are very low and the price of their flights often increases considerably when you you need to pay extra to take your baggage.
A Turkish Airlines economy ticket has 23 kg baggage allowance, plus hand luggage 1 x 8 kg
Pegasus Airlines – with their cheapest LIGHT ticket you need to pay for any luggage (you can put a small 3 kg bag under your chair). If you buy a more expensive Pegasus Saver or Saver Plus ticket, you will get 20kg baggage allowance plus a cabin case.
International Routes & Travel Time
Istanbul is a major gateway for international travellers visiting Turkey. It is well-connected to various destinations around the world, with numerous international routes.
The travel time to Istanbul varies depending on the departure city, but on average, you can expect a flight duration of around:
- Western Europe – 3-5 hours from Europe,
- Middle East (Dubai) – 4-5 hours
- India (Mumbai) – 7 hours
- North America and Far Asia – 10-13 hours
- South America 12-15 hours
- Australia -20- 22 hours
If you are planning to fly from China to Turkey, then a direct flight from Beijing to Istanbul or Shanghai to Istanbul is considerably more expensive than going there via Hong Kong or Bangkok. However, this will add on an extra few hours to you flight time.
If you are planning to fly from the United States to Turkey, then you should have a look at the blog about how to do it on the cheap.
Istanbu´s Airports
Many people who visit Turkey will arrive in Istanbul. However, the city has two main airports – The enormous Istanbul Airport (IST) and the much smaller Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW). They both offer domestic and international flights.
Istanbul Airport (IST)
The relatively new Istanbul International Airport (IST) is the largest airport in Istanbul and is located on the European side of the city. It offers a lot of facilities and amenities to make sure that air passengers have a wonderful travel experience.
In fact the airport one of biggest in the world and offers a lot of dining options, duty-free shops, boutiques, lounges, a mosque as well as currency exchange and rental car services.
However, make sure that you are wearing a comfortable pair of walking shoes because the place is enormous. You will sometimes need to take a 30-minute walk to get from one part of the airport to another part. Of course, there are electric buggies available on request for those with mobility issues.
The airport is located quite far from the city centre, compared to the old Atatürk airport that is now not used for passenger flights. Most of the airline companies that arrive at the new airport are large ones, including many national carriers which charge premium prices. There are only a few budget airlines that use this airport, due to the higher landing fees.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Goken airport is located on the Asian side of Istanbul. Although it is a lot smaller than Istanbul International Airport, it is still well-equipped with facilities and offers both domestic and international flights. The airport offers many eating options, duty-free shops, and lounges where you can relax before your flight.
Most of the flights that leave this airport are cheaper, with many low-cost carriers using it because of its lower landing fees.
Domestic Flights from Istanbul
If you’re planning to travel to other parts of Turkey after visiting Istanbul, then a great option is to take a domestic flight. With a few exceptions it can be the most convenient and time-saving to travel around the country.
Both of Istanbul´s airports offer a huge number of domestic flights that help connect the city to the rest of the country. Popular domestic destinations from Istanbul include cities like Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, and Bodrum.
Turkish Airlines offers flights to cities all over the country. However, Pegasus Airlines also offers flights to most cities and their tickets are often cheaper. Pegasus flights usually leave from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. While Turkish Airlines flights usually leave from Istanbul International Airport.
There are several other Turkish Budget airlines that travel to many cities around the country, from this airport, so you should always compare prices.
Buying Your International Airline Tickets
There are some ways that can to get the best price. One is to use a VPN (if it is permitted in your country) and also clear your search history on your computer, every time you are looking for a flight.
You may have noticed that when you find a good price for a ticket online and then go back to buy it an hour later, the price may have gone up. This usually happens because the airline knows that you are interested in buying the ticket, and therefore they often increase the price.
If you use a VPN and clear your history, they don´t know that it is you, and the chances are that the price will still be the same.
Another good strategy is to find out which airlines fly from your country to the destination in Turkey that you want to visit. If you sign up to their newsletter they will let you know when there is a special promotion with lower prices.
Some people say that the price of your ticket also depends on the day and time of the week and time of day that you buy it. Early in the morning on Tuesday or Wednesday was supposed to be the best time to buy and Friday afternoon to Sunday night being the worst time. Perhaps this was the case a few years ago, but many people say this is no longer the case. You can always try this strategy, in case it still works.
Buying Domestic Flight Tickets
If you are already in Turkey and would like to buy a domestic flight ticket then it may be cheaper to do it using a Turkish travel website, such as enuygun and ucuzabilet.
Buying your domestic ticket on one of these websites can often save you money when compared to buying it on websites from outside Turkey.
However, you need to take into account that the website is written in Turkish, so it needs to be translated to English, and if you have any issues with the flight, they may not be able to deal with your complaint in English.
Istanbul: Getting from the Airport to the City Centre
When you arrive in Istanbul, you’ll need to find transportation from the airport to the city centre. Luckily, there are several transportation options available.
The first option is taking public transport (the metro). This is the cheapest, but maybe not the most popular for foreign travellers, especially if they are arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST) which is especially far from the city centre.
Expect to spend around an hour or so, to get to the centre and you will probably need to change underground trains with all your luggage. You will also need to buy a Istanbul travel card in the airport and top it up with
cash before entering the metro.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to the metro which offers you an easy way to get to 9 destinations in the city, you should consider an airport shuttle service bus. (HAVAIST). These luxury buses operate between the airport and major landmarks in the city, such as Taksim square or Sultanahmet. They offer great value for money, they are cheap, comfortable, and run regularly between both of Istanbul´s airports and the centre of Istanbul for just a few euros each way.
In Istanbul International airport you can find them located at the Arrivals exit gate that is situated on level minus 2 of the airport building. In Sabiha Gök Airport they leave from the lower floor of the building. You can pay with a credit card, with the mobile app, or prepay for your ticket online for a discounted price.
If you prefer a more hassle-free option, you can opt for a taxi service or Private transfer. These are readily available at the airport and they offer a convenient door-to-door service. However, keep in mind that these.
options are quite a lot more expensive. Depending on where you want to travel in the city, and the time of day you arrive, it can cost you between 50-60 euros
Getting from the Airport to Your Destination in Other Turkish Cities.
Once you’ve arrived at the Turkish Airport there are several transportation options available. Renting a car can be a good option if you are travelling in a group or as a family, although it is not the most budget-friendly option.
There is a Havaş Airport Shuttle bus connects most airports to nearby towns at a very economic price and run regularly throughout most of the day. Check their website for more information.
At the bottom of the webpage there is a section which says where from and where to. Choose the airport and destination and you will get information about times of the buses. Alternatively, you can take advantage of public transportation, rent a car, or arrange a airport transfer service.
Flying to Pamukkale, Cappadocia, and Ephesus
Pamukkale, Cappadocia, and Ephesus are three very popular travel destinations in Turkey. If you’re planning to travel to these wonderful locations. you will need to plan how to get there from Istanbul.
To get to Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, you will need to get a plane to the nearby city of Denizli. There is an airport shuttle bus from Denizli Airport to the city centre and from there you can get a taxi or minibus to Pamukkale for just a few euros. As the airport is located far from the city and a taxi can cost quite a lot.
To visit the ruins of Ephesus, you should fly to Izmir and from there, rent a car, or take a taxi, or if you´re on a budget, catch a bus to the nearest town to Ephesus, which is called Selcuk. This will be the nearest town
that offers hotels and guesthouses and is just a few kilometres from Ephesus. There is also a wonderful castle at Selcuk to visit and other nearby attractions.
From Istanbul to Cappadocia, you can either take a flight to Nevsehir, which is a small city that is relatively close to Göreme, (the town where people take hot air balloon rides ), or you can fly to Kayseri, which is
about 90km away, but offers cheaper and more frequent flights. It is easier and cheaper to get to Goreme by taxi or public bus from Nevşehir, or you can rent.
Flying to the Aegean Region
The Aegean region of Turkey is famous for its stunning coastline and popular tourist destinations. If you’re planning to visit Izmir, Bodrum, Marmaris, or even Fethiye (which is on the border of the Aegean and Mediterranean) There are several airports to choose from and there are plenty of cheap flights from Istanbul.
Airports and Holiday Destinations
- Izmir airport serves holidaymakers planning to go to Kuşadası.
- Bodrum airport serves Bodrum
- Dalaman airport is convenient for travellers going to either Marmaris and Fethiye.
If you’re flying to the Aegean region from outside of Turkey, there are lots of international flights available. However, most of the international flights come from Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.
If you are coming for elsewhere, you will need to change planes at Istanbul or Ankara airport, or take an intercity bus if you are on a tight budget.
Flying to the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean coast has some of the most picturesque holiday destinations in the country including Alanya, Antalya, Kaş, Kalkan, and Fethiye.
There are many flight options to reach these Mediterranean resorts with both domestic flights and direct international flights.
Airports and Destinations
- Gazipasa Airport serves for Alanya,
- Antalya airport serves Antalya, Belek, Kemer and Kaş / Kalkan
- Dalaman airport (in the Aegean) serves Fethiye and also for Kas/Kalkan via Fethiye.
Most European flight times vary between 3 and 4h.30 hours.
Gazipaşa Airport also offers flights for Alanya, but there are many more cheaper flights going to Antalya, which is just a few hours away by road.
For a cheaper option you could fly to Antalya and get a bus to Alanya
if you are on a really tight budget.
Flying to Ankara
If you’re planning to fly to Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, the city is well-connected with domestic and international flights, making it easily accessible for travellers.
For domestic flights, you can find direct flights to Ankara from major cities in Turkey, including Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, etc. Many airlines operate domestic routes that offer frequent flights throughout the day. This allows you to easily reach Ankara from any part of the country.
Istanbul – Ankara – About 1h.15m Turkish Airways and Pegasus
Most of the same domestic airline companies that fly to Istanbul, also fly to Ankara. The largest number of flights is offered by Turkish Airways, followed by the budget company, Pegasus Airlines.
If you’re flying from abroad, there are also many international flights available to Ankara. However, there are a lot more international flights going to Istanbul than Ankara. Check out the Ankara City Guide.
Flying to The Black Sea
The Black Sea region offers travellers a destination with unique cultural and natural attractions. If you’re planning a trip to this stunning part of Turkey, flying to Trabzon is a convenient option.
You’ll find domestic flights that connect Trabzon to various cities within Turkey, making it easily accessible.
Istanbul – 2 hours – Turkish Airways and Pegasus Airlines.
There are some international flights to the city, but most of them are from the Middle East, this is because the resort is a popular destination for Saudi and other Middle Eastern tourists. Flights from the Gulf States normally take about 3-4 hours.
The airport is located just a few kilometres from the city and it is very easy and cheap to get to the city centre, using either taxi or public bus.
Travelling by bus to this part of Turkey from Istanbul is exhausting and takes about 16 hours, so flying is a good option if you can afford it.
Flying to Southeastern Turkey
Southeastern Turkey is perhaps the home of civilization as we know it. with settlements that date back 12,000 years. It is a wonderful place that is full are culture, history and amazing food.
If you are planning to visit this region, there are several airports that offer domestic flights to cities such as Adana/Mersin, Gaziantep, Hatay/ Antakya, Sanlıurfa, and Van.
Flying to these destinations from Istanbul can take between 1h.30 and 2h.30.
All of these airports have many domestic flights but some of them also offer a few international flights. However, there are no international flights to Mardin. Adana has several daily international flights, Germany being the most popular destination, although there are also flights to the Middle East and Cyprus.
Travellers who are coming to Turkey on a long-haul flight will usually need to fly into Istanbul and then get a connecting flight to a city in the Southeast region.
Enjoy Your Flight!
Finding the right flight to your destination in Turkey is an important factor in planning your ideal trip. Getting a the best deal on and a cheap flight is also important if you are trying to keep within a tight budget.
You should remember that if you want to travel around the country there are also other transport options, such as bus and train that can be more economical and also allow you to get to see more of the country´s amazing scenery. .