Budget Airlines from Turkey to Europe: Full Comparison
AirHuntr Editorial
June 18, 2026
Turkey has excellent connectivity to European destinations, with several budget carriers competing aggressively on price. Here's your complete guide to flying cheaply from Turkish cities to Europe.
Turkey has excellent connectivity to European destinations, with several budget carriers competing aggressively on price. Here's your complete guide to flying cheaply from Turkish cities to Europe.
The Main Budget Airlines
Pegasus Airlines
The largest Turkish low-cost carrier. Flies from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and Ankara Esenboğa (ESB) to over 30 European destinations including London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
Best for: Travellers departing from the Asian side of Istanbul or from Ankara. Regularly runs flash sales, especially on the app.
SunExpress
A joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. Strong focus on leisure routes — German cities like Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, plus Austrian and Swiss routes. Based in Antalya and İzmir.
Best for: Travellers from Antalya or İzmir going to German-speaking countries.
Corendon Airlines
Charter-turned-scheduled airline. Good for Netherlands (Amsterdam) routes, particularly from Antalya and İzmir during summer.
Best for: Dutch expats in Turkey or Turks visiting the Netherlands.
EasyJet
Operates London Gatwick–Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. Less frequency than Pegasus but worth comparing.
Route Highlights and Typical Prices
- Istanbul → London: from €35 one-way with Pegasus (advance purchase)
- Istanbul → Amsterdam: from €29 one-way with Pegasus
- Istanbul → Berlin: from €25 one-way in off-peak months
- İzmir → Frankfurt: from €39 one-way with SunExpress
- Antalya → Dusseldorf: from €45 one-way with SunExpress
Tips for Finding the Cheapest Fares
- Book direct on the airline website — OTAs add fees
- Use the Pegasus app — mobile-exclusive fares are common
- Fly mid-week — Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically 20–30% cheaper
- Avoid school holidays — Turkish and European school holidays overlap in July-August and push prices up sharply
- Compare SAW vs IST — Pegasus from Sabiha Gökçen is often €30–€50 cheaper than Turkish Airlines from the main airport
Baggage: What's Included?
All budget airlines from Turkey follow similar rules:
- One small personal bag (under seat) is free
- Cabin bag (overhead locker) costs extra — typically €10–€25 per flight
- Checked baggage — €15–€40 per flight
Always add baggage at the time of booking. Airport prices are 2–3x higher.
Booking Strategy
For summer travel (June–August), book 3–4 months in advance. For shoulder and off-peak travel, 6–10 weeks ahead is usually optimal. Pegasus flash sales are announced via their email newsletter and app notifications — worth signing up for.
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