A group trip to Istanbul, Turkey
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Two continents, three empires and the best value city break within four hours. Best months for a group: May, June and September. Our estimate for three nights in May is about £238 each from London, flights plus a share of the bed.
When to go
Istanbul is in season for a group in May, June and September, the months we would pick first. Average daytime highs are 22°C in May, 27°C in June and 26°C in September. Outside those months it can still work, it is simply what our catalogue rates highest for a trip with friends.
What it costs from five cities
Our estimate for one person in a group of four sharing one place for three nights in May, in pounds. Every figure here is an estimate from the same pricing annamo uses on the shortlist. Before anyone books, annamo checks real fares for your own dates from every home city.
| From | Total | Flight, return | Bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | About £238 each | Flight £158, usually £120 to £205 Our estimate, from real prices in other months | Bed £80 |
| Paris | About £261 each | Flight £181, usually £140 to £235 Our estimate, from real prices in other months | Bed £80 |
| Barcelona | About £272 each | Flight £192, usually £145 to £250 Our estimate, from real prices in other months | Bed £80 |
| Milan | About £236 each | Flight £156, usually £120 to £205 Our estimate, from real prices in other months | Bed £80 |
| Amsterdam | About £270 each | Flight £190, usually £145 to £245 Our estimate, from real prices in other months | Bed £80 |
Our estimate Flights from our flight model, fitted on 6,159 real fares up to 4 October 2026, and where a row says so, real prices on that route in other months, moved to May for the season, from fares seen in the 120 days up to 8 October 2026. The usual range is where two real fares in three land: 70 to 145 per cent of the model figure, or the spread of real fares on the route where we have them. Beds from typical prices for a whole home on Inside Airbnb in Istanbul, 30 June 2026. Not a quote.
What Istanbul is good for
- City life: excellent (5 out of 5)
- Culture: excellent (5 out of 5)
- Food: excellent (5 out of 5)
- Nightlife: excellent (5 out of 5)
- Wellness and spas: very good (4 out of 5)
Things people go for:
- Hagia Sophia
- Bosphorus
- Meyhane nights
Who it suits
- Stag and hen weekends, and birthdays that run late
- Friends who travel to eat well and wander
- Couples and slower trips with spa days and long lunches
- Big groups watching the budget, it is one of the cheaper places in our list
Getting there
The airport is IST. Metro or Havaist bus to the old city in about an hour.
FAQ
How much does a group trip to Istanbul cost?
Our estimate is about £238 each from London for three nights in May, flights plus a share of one place for a group of four. It is an estimate, not a quote, so check real prices before anyone books.
When is the best time to go to Istanbul with friends?
May, June and September suit a group best by our reckoning, with average daytime highs of 22°C in May, 27°C in June and 26°C in September.
How do you get from the airport to Istanbul?
Metro or Havaist bus to the old city in about an hour.