Flights from Barcelona to Turkey from 79GBP*

Flights to Turkey from Barcelona

Vueling flies direct from Barcelona to Istanbul in around 3 and a half hours. It is the only way into the country from Barcelona, and probably the best one there is: the city that spreads across both shores of the Bosphorus is a destination in its own right and also the base from which the rest of the trip is planned.

Domestic flights to Cappadocia, the Aegean coast and Ephesus all leave from Istanbul. They are operated by local airlines and booked separately. Turkey does not change its clocks, so it is 2 hours ahead of Barcelona in winter and 1 hour ahead in summer. Factor that in when you plan your arrival day.

What documents you need to travel to Turkey

Turkey is not part of the European Union or the Schengen Area, so the requirements differ from those of a flight within Europe. A passport is mandatory to enter the country and must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. The Spanish ID card (DNI) is not valid.

Spanish citizens do not need a visa for short tourist stays. If you hold another nationality, check your case on the travel documents page before booking, because the conditions vary considerably depending on your country of origin.

As this flight leaves the Schengen Area, you will go through passport control before boarding. Allow for that extra time at the airport.

What to know when you land in Turkey

From the airport into the city. Istanbul’s main airport is a long way out, to the north-west, and the journey takes around an hour by metro or express bus depending on where you are staying. It is not a transfer to improvise once you land, especially if your flight gets in at night.

The Turkish lira. The euro is not widely accepted outside the most touristy areas, and where it is, businesses apply their own exchange rate. The practical option is to withdraw lira from a cash machine when you arrive. Cards work well in Istanbul, less so outside the big cities.

Getting around Istanbul. Metro, tram, bus and ferry are all covered by a single transport card, sold at the stations themselves. The ferry between the two shores of the Bosphorus is ordinary public transport, and also the best way to see the city without paying for an excursion.

Climate by region. Istanbul has warm summers and cold, wet winters, harsher than many people expect. The Aegean and Mediterranean coast has a dry Mediterranean climate, while Central Anatolia reaches extremes in both summer and winter.

Turkey uses type C and F plugs, at 230V. Local SIM cards are available at the airport.

What to do in Turkey

Istanbul

Istanbul is where you land, and where plenty of people spend the whole trip. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar account for most of the sightseeing in the historic centre, a World Heritage Site, while Beyoğlu and Kadıköy, across the water, show the everyday city that locals live in. A ferry ride on the Bosphorus costs the same as a metro ticket.

Cappadocia

A domestic flight of just over an hour from Istanbul, with a local airline. Fairy chimneys, the rock-cut churches of the Göreme Open-Air Museum and underground cities such as Derinkuyu. Sunrise balloon flights are its best-known image. They depend on the wind, though, so plan on 2 nights to give yourself some margin.

The Aegean coast and Ephesus

Izmir is the gateway to this area, again reached on a domestic flight. Nearby are the ruins of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, and the limestone terraces of Pamukkale. You can combine the visit with a few days on the beach, as the whole coast is within easy reach.

The Mediterranean coast

Bodrum and Antalya are where most of the beach holidays happen, with clear water, Greco-Roman ruins a few kilometres from the sea and nightlife in summer. This is the side of Turkey closest to a conventional Mediterranean holiday, and the one that works best for families.

Luggage for your flight to Turkey

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that goes under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

If your plan links Istanbul with domestic flights, bear in mind that local airlines set their own baggage conditions, and they do not match Vueling’s. Sorting out your own luggage when you book saves you surprises at the airport. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.