Pegasus' New Daily Gatwick Flight: Why the Istanbul Transfer Could Be Useful for Hungarian Travelers?

Pegasus Airlines has launched a daily direct flight between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and London Gatwick starting June 15, further strengthening the Turkish low-cost carrier's London network. At first glance, the news seems like a British-Turkish route development, but it could have practical significance for Hungarian travelers: providing more options for trips to London, Turkey's southern resorts, as well as the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

According to the airline's announcement on June 16, the new London Gatwick - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen connection operates daily throughout the entire 2026 summer season. Pegasus already flew between Sabiha Gökçen and London Stansted, so with the entry of Gatwick, it offers two separate airport options in the London area to the same Istanbul side. This difference matters not only to those visiting London for sightseeing: more and more travelers are building routes consisting of multiple airports, separate tickets, and longer transfer times, especially when direct ticket prices are high or the schedule is inconvenient.

From a Hungarian perspective, the most important question is not whether the new flight replaces existing direct options between Budapest and London, or Budapest and Istanbul. It does not. Rather, it adds another piece to the summer route planning. For those starting from Budapest, Vienna, or other nearby airports and looking for cheaper, more flexible, or combined routes with multi-day stopovers via London or Istanbul, it is worth noting that a daily Pegasus connection between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport and London Gatwick Airport can now appear in search results.

What Exactly Changed?

The new flight started on June 15 and, according to Pegasus, operates daily during the summer schedule period. Flight PC1185 from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen takes off at 11:55 local time and arrives at London Gatwick at 14:15. The return flight, PC1186, departs Gatwick at 15:20 and arrives at Sabiha Gökçen at 21:15. The specified times are local, which is particularly important for route planning because there is a time difference between London and Istanbul.

The airline offers tickets through its own website, mobile app, and official sales channels. The introductory communication mentioned a starting price of 54.99 pounds one way, including taxes, but this should be handled with caution: the lowest prices typically depend on the date, booking time, package, seat, luggage, and demand. Pegasus operates on a low-cost model, so it is not enough to look at the base fare; carry-on baggage, checked luggage, seat selection, and modification terms can also affect the actual cost of the trip.

The Gatwick flight arrives alongside the existing daily Sabiha Gökçen - London Stansted flight. This is significant because airport choice in London is a major cost and time factor in itself. Gatwick is on the south side of the city, while Stansted is to the northeast; different travel times and prices may apply for city center, South England, Brighton, or business destinations. Those combining London and Turkish segments with separate tickets starting from Hungary must also account for the risks of changing airports.

Why Is This Important for Hungarian Travelers?

From Hungary, both London and Istanbul are strong, highly sought-after routes. London remains a primary destination for sightseers, visiting relatives, business travelers, and passengers continuing on intercontinental flights. Istanbul is simultaneously a city destination, a starting point for Turkish seaside trips, and a regional transfer hub. Pegasus' new Gatwick connection adds an extra option among these, especially for those who are not tied to a single airline or a single airport.

In practice, this development could be interesting for three types of passengers. The first group consists of those traveling to London who, due to dates or prices, are not only considering direct Budapest flights. For them, the addition of Gatwick increases the London airport offering, although an Istanbul detour is only realistic if the traveler is already combining their trip with Turkey, or if the special price and schedule truly offset the longer travel time.

The second group consists of those going to Turkey who would not necessarily end their journey in Istanbul. According to Pegasus, 160 destinations in 56 countries are accessible through its Sabiha Gökçen hub, including 39 Turkish destinations. This may be relevant for Hungarian vacationers because the Turkish Riviera and the Aegean region remain strong summer products. Antalya, Bodrum, and Dalaman are not only classic package tour destinations but are also popular for individual organization. Those planning such a route can compare direct, charter, Vienna, and Istanbul transfer options toward Antalya Airport, Milas-Bodrum Airport, or Dalaman Airport.

The third group is for longer trips involving multiple countries. Sabiha Gökçen in the Pegasus network provides connections not only to Turkey but also toward the Balkans, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Gatwick operates with many international flights, fast rail connections, and a large South England catchment area. This does not mean every route will be cheaper or simpler, but it does mean a new combination may appear in search engines and multi-city bookings.

Gatwick or Stansted: The Specific London Airport Matters

Pegasus' presence in London was already known due to Stansted. However, Gatwick may be more convenient in other travel situations. From the south of London, Brighton, the south coast, Surrey, Sussex, or certain business destinations, Gatwick is often the more logical choice, while Stansted is more practical for East and Northeast London, Essex, Cambridge, or certain low-cost connections. Therefore, for a Hungarian traveler, it is not enough to see "London" on the ticket: the specific name of the airport is at least as important.

This is especially true if someone combines two separate tickets. For example, if one segment arrives at Gatwick and the other departs from Luton, Heathrow, or Stansted, the intra-city transfer can take several hours, add extra cost, and bring significant risk of delay. The advantage of the current Pegasus development may be that the London-Gatwick and Sabiha Gökçen segment provides a daily rhythm within a single airport pair, but this does not automatically solve the problem of changing airports in London.

Those departing from or arriving at Gatwick should plan their city transport in advance. The airport's rail and road connections are strong, but peak hours, weekend work, strikes, or late-evening arrivals can change the ideal solution. Those who do not want to improvise on-site can check London Gatwick airport transfer options, and for longer layovers, hotels around Gatwick.

Sabiha Gökçen Operates with a Different Logic Than the Main Istanbul Airport

In Istanbul, the precise identification of the airport is also important. The city has two large international airports: Istanbul Airport on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen on the Asian side. Pegasus' new Gatwick flight arrives at and departs from the latter. This is logical due to the Pegasus network, but from a traveler's perspective, it means that getting into the city, the transfer strategy, and the choice of accommodation may differ from what someone is used to regarding Istanbul Airport.

Sabiha Gökçen can be a particularly good choice if the traveler plans programs on the Asian side of Istanbul, such as Kadiköy, Moda, Üsküdar, or the eastern region of the Marmara Sea, or if they continue their journey with a Pegasus domestic flight. At the same time, the journey toward Sultanahmet, Taksim, or popular parts of the European side may be longer, especially during peak hours. Therefore, in addition to the ticket price, the time and cost of ground transportation must be added to the decision.

Those with longer transfers or arriving late in the evening at Sabiha Gökçen may find it useful to review accommodations around Sabiha Gökçen Airport in advance. For those heading into the city, SAW airport transfer and taxi options can help them avoid making decisions after landing. Those planning a driving tour within Turkey, for example in the Marble Sea region or toward the Aegean, may find car rental at Sabiha Gökçen Airport a realistic option, but the urban traffic and parking in Turkish cities should not be underestimated.

What Should Those Combining Routes from Budapest Pay Attention To?

Starting from Budapest, the most important rule is that separate tickets do not provide the same protection as a transfer within a single booking. If someone flies from Budapest Airport to London and then continues to Istanbul with a separate Pegasus ticket, the risk of missing a connection due to delay usually remains with the passenger. The same applies in reverse: if someone arrives at Gatwick from Sabiha Gökçen and then flies to Hungary or elsewhere with a separate ticket, it is advisable to leave a several-hour or even overnight buffer instead of the minimum transfer time.

This is particularly important in the summer season. Airports are more crowded, security checks, passport control, luggage drop-off, and ground transport can be slower. Pegasus' own guidelines suggest arriving at the airport three hours before international departures. This is not mandatory in all cases, but a good reminder that a seemingly cheaper, multi-segment trip can easily become more expensive if a new ticket, extra accommodation, or emergency transfer must be paid for due to a too-tight connection.

Hungarian travelers should therefore compare three things: the total price of the trip with all additional fees, the total travel time including ground transport, and who bears the risk in case of delay or flight cancellation. A Budapest-London-Istanbul or Budapest-Istanbul-London combination is only a good decision if these are all favorable. If the price difference is small, it is often more convenient and safer to choose a simpler route with fewer airport changes.

It May Provide More Options for Turkish Vacations, but Does Not Replace Thorough Planning

One of the strengths of the Pegasus network is its Turkish domestic and resort connection system. The launch of the Gatwick flight does not directly open a new seaside gate from Budapest, yet it increases Pegasus' European traffic base. This could be interesting in terms of later schedule developments, price competition, and transfer offerings. When an airline strengthens its presence at a major London airport, it generally indicates that it counts on a combination of city visitors, visiting relatives, business, and connecting traffic.

For Hungarian vacationers, this mainly comes into play if someone is not looking for a classic one-week charter package, but wants to connect several cities or regions. Istanbul can be well combined with a few days' stopover and seaside relaxation, but only if luggage, airport transfer, and local transport are planned in advance. With low-cost tickets, separately purchased services can quickly increase the cost, so the "cheapest" find is not always the best offer.

Airport choice is also decisive for trips in Turkey. Antalya is a center for many all-inclusive vacations, Bodrum offers more of the Aegean atmosphere, harbors, and boutique accommodations, while Dalaman is practical for Fethiye, Marmaris, and the Lycian coast. Sabiha Gökçen can be a connection point for these, but due to transfer times, terminal processes, and luggage rules, it is not advisable to choose a too-tight schedule.

What Does the News Mean for Market Competition?

Pegasus' entry into Gatwick also strengthens the competition in the London and Istanbul markets. Several airlines and airports compete for passengers between London and Istanbul, and Pegasus is trying to gain a larger share in the low-cost, price-sensitive segment. Gatwick is an airport that simultaneously serves leisure, business, and long-haul connecting traffic, so the daily flight does not seem like a mere seasonal tourist attempt, but a conscious network step.

This competition may indirectly benefit Hungarian travelers. If more low-cost and hybrid model connections appear between major European hubs, it can put price pressure on certain routes and open more combinations in search engines. At the same time, it is true that a larger selection can lead to more decision errors: the wrong airport, too short a connection, misunderstood luggage rules, or lack of protection from separate tickets can easily wipe out the price advantage.

Summary

Pegasus' new daily Sabiha Gökçen - London Gatwick flight is not a route opening from Hungary, yet it is a useful development in the Hungarian travel market. London and Istanbul are two hubs that many Hungarian travelers use as independent destinations, visiting relatives, sightseeing, and business trips, or for onward travel. The new flight increases the options, especially for those who combine airports flexibly, are open to multi-city routes, or are looking for more accessible summer options via Turkey.

The most important advice remains caution: a daily flight alone is not a guarantee of cheaper or simpler travel. The total cost, luggage fees, airport transfers, and time difference must be viewed together. For those who do this, the Gatwick-Sabiha Gökçen connection can be a new, useful tool in planning 2026 summer travels.