Flying from Southampton Airport (SOU) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Southampton Airport is located in Southampton. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is three hours ahead of Southampton.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably board your SOU to Istanbul flight.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. A good rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
We make it a breeze to book flight tickets from SOU to Istanbul with a stopover. To see all the options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Well-traveled stopover hubs include:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Malaga Airport (AGP)
Geneve Airport (GVA)
Located around 6 kilometres from central Southampton, SOU can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). Travelling on public transport will take roughly 25 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near SOU. Whether you have an early flight from Southampton Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are all about convenience:
Of all flights leaving Southampton Airport, 55.7% land on schedule at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Southampton Airport (SOU) to Istanbul
$299 is currently the best price for a one-way Southampton Airport to Istanbul flight. Return flight tickets start at $533. These prices may change based on demand.
Booking in advance is often the key to finding a cheap flight from SOU to Istanbul. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the nearer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
If you have flexibility with your trip dates, check out the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll find the lowest price across each month when searching for a Southampton Airport to Istanbul ticket.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from SOU to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Southampton Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
Travelling on public transport will take you around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Southampton Airport to Istanbul. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Travel at your own speed with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your flight from SOU to Istanbul can help you secure the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. Following your flight from Southampton Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
The journey will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your SOU to Istanbul flight:
Forget about public transport timetables or cab lines. Pick up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare offers from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Southampton Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive during peak season, but hotel rates are typically higher and major attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to Istanbul in the off-season if you like a quieter vibe.
Before locking in your Southampton Airport to Istanbul flight ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from SOU to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Istanbul right here. Explore these hotels after locking in your flight from Southampton Airport to Istanbul:
The Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are just the start of the top attractions to put on your Istanbul to-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Galata Tower.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If there's time to check out another major destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are key reasons to visit.