Cheap flights from Istanbul to Ankara Esenboga

Ankara often gets overlooked by visitors to Turkey, especially in favour of the much larger and more ancient Istanbul. However, the Turkish capital offers plenty of things to see and do and gives visitors a chance to experience a side of the country outside of its largest and most famous city of Istanbul.

Istanbul has two major airports, both of which offer regular service to Ankara Esenboga Airport. The route is served by two airlines, national carrier Turkish Airlines and low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines. There are hundreds of flights each week between Istanbul and Ankara and finding a cheap seat is usually easy. With Skyscanner's monthly search tool you can narrow down which time of year is the cheapest to fly or you can sign up for Price Alerts and get notifications whenever seat prices on the Istanbul to Ankara route go down.

Inside: Istanbul Airports

There are two major airports serving the city of Istanbul. The largest airport is Istanbul Ataturk Airport, which is Turkish Airlines' main hub and is located on the European side of the city. The much smaller Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, meanwhile, serves as a hub for Pegasus Airlines and is located on Istanbul's Asian side. Keep in mind, however, that while Pegasus only flies to Ankara from Sabiha Gokcen, Turkish Airlines flies out of both Istanbul Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen. If leaving from Istanbul Ataturk you will need to head to the domestic terminal. Sabiha Gokcen, meanwhile, consists of a single terminal that handles both international and domestic flights.

Landing at Ankara Esenboga Airport

Ankara Esenboga Airport, with a brand-new terminal, has been recognized as one of the best airports in its class in Europe. The airport is particularly noteworthy for its efforts at reducing its carbon footprint. When you arrive, the cheapest way to get to the city centre is by taking a shuttle bus with Belko Air. Tickets can be bought onboard, but be warned that staff don't usually speak English. A taxi may be a better option to get around and dedicated taxi stands can be found at the exit. You can also rent a car, with 10 rental agencies located in the domestic arrivals section alone.

Ankara may not be a top destination choice for many tourists, especially for those who favour more popular Turkish destinations like Istanbul and Izmir, but it does have a lot to offer those who take the time to visit. As the capital of Turkey, it is home to a number of important museums and historic sites, including the mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, documenting the history of Anatolia and Asia Minor and one of the best museums in Turkey. Ankara Castle, perched above the city, is also a fascinating historical site in a city that is often seen as being overwhelmingly modern. You can find a great hotel in Ankara by using Skyscanner's convenient search tool.