Finding great flight deals to Turkey can feel like a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be. If you know where to look, when to book, and the best tools to use, you can save a lot of money on your trip. Let’s break it down, step by step, so you can snag the cheapest flights and make the most of your travel budget.
Book at the Right Time
Timing matters when booking flights. You generally get the best deals when booking 1-3 months in advance for international trips like one to Turkey. Booking too early or too late often makes flights more expensive.
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Typically, airlines release flights about a year before departure, but the best prices appear about 6-12 weeks before your departure date. If you’re visiting Turkey during a busy season like summer or around major holidays, try booking a bit earlier.
Ideal Booking Days and Times
Travel experts often recommend booking flights on weekdays, especially Tuesday or Wednesday. On these days, airlines tend to release more promotional fares or adjust prices. Also, buying tickets early in the morning or late at night could help you lock in lower prices.
Use Flight Comparison Tools to Find the Best Prices
Flight comparison websites are a must for finding the best deals. They search multiple airlines and agencies at the same time to show you the cheapest options. Some of the best tools include:
- Google Flights
- Skyscanner
- Momondo
- Kayak
Google Flights is a solid starting point because it lets you search by flexible travel dates. You can also set up price alerts to notify you when fares drop for your desired route.
Setting Fare Alerts
If you’re not in a rush to book, set fare alerts on multiple sites. Just choose your route and sit back. You’ll get email updates whenever there’s a price drop or a good deal available. This feature helps you track multiple deals and jump on the cheapest option as soon as it’s available.
Be Flexible with Dates and Airports
If you can adjust your travel dates by a day or two, you can save a lot of money. Flights to Turkey tend to be more expensive around weekends. Traveling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, instead of Fridays or Sundays, could bring down your ticket price.
Additionally, if you’re flying into cities like Istanbul or Izmir, check other major international airports. Sometimes, bigger cities like Istanbul (IST or SAW airports) have better deals compared to smaller airports.
Consider Nearby Airports
Also, it helps to check flights from nearby cities or even nearby countries. Flying into Greece or Bulgaria and taking a train or bus to Turkey can sometimes be much cheaper, especially during high season.
Look for Flights with Layovers
Direct flights are often more expensive. If you’re open to a layover, you can sometimes save hundreds of dollars on a flight to Turkey. Search for flights with short layovers in Europe or the Middle East.
Major layover cities for flights to Turkey include Frankfurt, Amsterdam, London, and Doha. These hubs often have cheaper transit connections.
Use Multi-City Search
When searching for flights, don’t forget to check the “multi-city” option. Flying into one city and flying back from another can sometimes give you lower fares. For example, you could fly into Istanbul and fly out from Antalya.
Check Budget Airlines
Several budget airlines fly directly to Turkey. Pegasus Airlines and SunExpress are two affordable European budget carriers that frequently offer competitive deals. While you pay extra for baggage and meals, these airlines can offer cheap flights, which you can’t get from bigger carriers like Turkish Airlines or Lufthansa.
Another option to consider is flying a budget airline to a city like Athens or Sofia and then continuing to Turkey using a budget regional airline.
Beware of Extra Fees
Budget airlines can be tricky when it comes to fees. Make sure to factor in the cost of checked baggage, seat selection, and onboard meals. Sometimes, with all the extras, it might be cheaper to fly with a traditional airline that includes everything in the ticket price.
Use Airline Miles or Points
If you collect frequent flyer miles, now is the time to use them. Flights to Turkey can be expensive, so redeeming miles can help you fly for free or at least get a heavily discounted price.
Sign up for loyalty programs with major airlines if you haven’t already. Turkish Airlines is part of the Star Alliance network, so you can use miles from any partner airline like Lufthansa, United, or Air Canada. You can also redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership points.
Use Travel Credit Cards
If you have a travel credit card, check if you have enough points to redeem for tickets or discounted flights. Using points and miles is a great way to save on airfare and make your trip to Turkey more affordable.
Plan Around Seasons and Holidays
Flights to Turkey are more expensive during peak tourist seasons like summer and around holidays like Eid or Christmas. If you’re flexible, try traveling during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when prices drop.
March to May and September to November are great months to visit. The weather is still warm, but flights, hotels, and attractions are less crowded and cheaper than in summer.
Consider the Weather
The weather in Turkey can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Visiting during the shoulder season gives you pleasant weather without overpaying for flights.
Use a VPN for Price Comparisons
Sometimes airlines adjust prices based on your location. Using a VPN to change your browsing location can help you see lower fares. For example, try setting your VPN to a country with a weaker currency to see if prices drop for the same flight.
Just make sure to do this during incognito browsing sessions to avoid getting “tracked” and having prices rise suddenly.
Don’t Forget to Check Domestic Turkish Airlines
Once you’re in Turkey, domestic flights can be very affordable. Domestic Turkish carriers like AnadoluJet, Pegasus Airlines, and Turkish Airlines serve many cities including Istanbul, Ankara, and Antalya. Prices for these flights are usually much lower than international tickets, especially if you book in advance.
If your trip includes exploring areas like Cappadocia or the southwestern coast, booking domestic flights is often faster and more affordable than renting a car or using buses or trains.
Sign Up for Airline Newsletters
This one is simple but effective. Many airlines like Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and regional European airlines send out special fare deals via their newsletters. Sign up for a few and check your inbox regularly so you can jump on any promotions immediately.
While this requires a bit more work, those promo codes or flash sales can save you up to 50% or more.
Consider Using a Travel Agent
If searching for flights is overwhelming, hiring a travel agent might be worth it. While most people book trips online now, travel agents still have access to deals that aren’t always advertised publicly. It can be worth asking for a quote to see if you can save more through an agent, especially on complicated multi-leg trips.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up: be patient, stay flexible, and use all the tools available to you. Timing your purchase, using flight comparison websites, and booking alternative routes can get you some major savings.
Turkey is an incredible country that’s worth every penny, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend more than you need to! With the right strategies, you can get the best deals and enjoy this beautiful country without breaking the bank.
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