IST - SFO

$361 Find Cheap Flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Istanbul to San Francisco departing on 9/22. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Francisco

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Istanbul to San Francisco.
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Istanbul to San Francisco.
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Flights Deals

Cheap Flights from Istanbul to San Francisco (IST-SFO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Istanbul to San Francisco that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Istanbul to San Francisco

Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Oct 21
 Logo
5:05 pm - 11:45 amIST-SFO
28h 40m1 stop
 Logo
3:05 pm - 3:25 amSFO-IST
26h 20m1 stop
Tue, Sep 9 - Thu, Sep 25
KLM Logo
5:05 pm - 11:45 amIST-SFO
28h 40m1 stop
KLM Logo
8:25 pm - 3:25 amSFO-IST
21h 00m1 stop
$537KLM
Find Deal
Tue, Jul 22 - Tue, Jul 29
United Airlines Logo
6:10 am - 3:33 pmIST-SFO
19h 23m2 stops
United Airlines Logo
7:25 pm - 9:20 pmSFO-IST
15h 55m1 stop
$612United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Aug 23 - Sun, Aug 31
United Airlines Logo
2:00 pm - 7:50 pmIST-SFO
15h 50m1 stop
United Airlines Logo
7:25 pm - 9:20 pmSFO-IST
15h 55m1 stop
$623United Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Sep 9 - Thu, Sep 25
British Airways Logo
7:55 pm - 1:50 pmIST-SFO
27h 55m1 stop
British Airways Logo
4:30 pm - 12:40 amSFO-IST
22h 10m1 stop
$635British Airways
Find Deal
Tue, Sep 16 - Wed, Dec 24
British Airways Logo
5:00 pm - 1:50 pmIST-SFO
30h 50m1 stop
British Airways Logo
5:30 pm - 2:00 pmSFO-IST
33h 30m1 stop
$636British Airways
Find Deal
Tue, Sep 16 - Sat, Dec 27
Lufthansa Logo
5:55 pm - 12:40 pmIST-SFO
28h 45m1 stop
Lufthansa Logo
9:20 pm - 10:45 pmSFO-IST
38h 25m2 stops
$648Lufthansa
Find Deal
Tue, Jul 15 - Thu, Feb 26
Lufthansa Logo
5:55 pm - 3:55 pmIST-SFO
32h 00m1 stop
Lufthansa Logo
1:30 pm - 10:45 pmSFO-IST
22h 15m1 stop
$680Lufthansa
Find Deal
Sun, Sep 21 - Thu, Oct 23
Turkish Airlines Logo
1:20 pm - 4:40 pmIST-SFO
13h 20mnonstop
Turkish Airlines Logo
6:45 pm - 5:45 pmSFO-IST
13h 00mnonstop
$747Turkish Airlines
Find Deal
Wed, Oct 1 - Sat, Nov 1
Turkish Airlines Logo
7:10 am - 10:35 amIST-SFO
13h 25mnonstop
Turkish Airlines Logo
2:10 pm - 1:25 pmSFO-IST
13h 15mnonstop
$797Turkish Airlines
Find Deal
Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Istanbul to San Francisco

 
Snippets provided in this section are AI-generated based on a summarization of KAYAK-commissioned articles. The articles are presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the articles are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Airports
IST

Expect lengthy waits at security during busy times. Arrive early to navigate the large terminal efficiently.

Read more about ISTby Jenna Scatena
SFO

For a smooth arrival, use BART for affordable city access. The station is in the International Terminal.

Read more about SFOby Blane Bachelor
Our travel experts
Jenna Scatena

Jenna Scatena

Expert on IST

Jenna Scatena

Jenna Scatena

Journalist and Travel Writer, Jenna Scatena is an award-winning travel writer with a love for sharing stories and exploring new places, especially by Vespa. Though she's from San Francisco, she has spent a significant chunk of her vacation days over the last decade eating her way through Texas and sleeping in hotels around the world—especially in California, the Middle East, and Europe.

Read more
Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on SFO

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specializing in travel and aviation who writes regularly for top global outlets. Born and raised in Florida, Blane has worked and lived in four countries, including the Netherlands, where she’s currently based with her family. Her favorite way to get to know a new destination is by running or riding a bike around town – or hearing a spooky ghost story about local history. She will always choose the window seat.

Read more
Useful Info

KAYAK's insights & trends for Istanbul to San Francisco flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Istanbul to San Francisco to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco, look for departures on Fridays and avoid leaving on a Saturday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from San Francisco, Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly and Saturday is the most expensive.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco is January, where tickets cost $627 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and September, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $992 and $870 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

No, with an average price for the route of $762, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco, you should book around 2 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 19 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonApril
High seasonAugust
Cheapest flight$361
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 5% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 9% increase in price.
Flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Istanbul to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Istanbul to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking Istanbul Airport to San Francisco flights

  • What is the cheapest flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco was $361 for a one-way ticket and $534 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Istanbul Airport and San Francisco?

    A passport is required to fly from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

    The Airbus A350-900 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Istanbul Airport to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

    Star Alliance is the only airline alliance operating flights between Istanbul Airport and San Francisco.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

    There are nonstop flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Istanbul to San Francisco, Delta or KLM?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Istanbul to San Francisco are Delta and KLM. With an average price for the route of $781 and an overall rating of 8.0, Delta is the most popular choice. KLM is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $566 and an overall rating of 7.8.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Francisco from Istanbul Airport is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to San Francisco with an airline and back to Istanbul Airport with another airline. Booking your flights between Istanbul Airport and SFO can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to San Francisco from Istanbul Airport up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $690 or less one-way and $773 or less round-trip.

Prefer to fly direct from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Istanbul to San Francisco.
Find which airlines fly direct from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Istanbul to San Francisco

Monday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, Turkish Airlines

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +1 more

Tuesday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, Turkish Airlines

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +1 more

Wednesday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, Turkish Airlines

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +1 more

Thursday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, Turkish Airlines

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +1 more

Friday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, Turkish Airlines

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +1 more

Saturday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, Turkish Airlines

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +1 more

Sunday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, Turkish Airlines

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Istanbul

Monday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, RwandAir, +1 more

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +2 more

Tuesday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, RwandAir, +1 more

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +2 more

Wednesday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, RwandAir, +1 more

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +2 more

Thursday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, RwandAir, +1 more

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +2 more

Friday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, RwandAir, +1 more

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +2 more

Saturday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, RwandAir, +1 more

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +2 more

Sunday

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, RwandAir, +1 more

IndiGo, Pakistan International Airlines, +2 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Istanbul to San Francisco

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Istanbul to San Francisco. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Istanbul to San Francisco? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.8
KLMOverall score based on 1365 reviews
7.7Comfort
8.4Crew
7.2Food
7.8Boarding
7.1Entertainment
Airline reviews

Klm start boarding while somw air issue in the plan

8.0 ExcellentA, Jun 2025AMS - YYZ
Read more KLM reviews

Klm start boarding while somw air issue in the plan

I appreciate that KLM was proactive in informing me of the 2 hour delay which enabled me to replan my travel. It was a bit stressful not knowing whether my connection from Montreal to Ottawa was happening. But the ground and air crew did a good job at comforting and assuring me.

Cabin crew professional, polite and friendly, boarding was seemless, but come on KLM surely you can do better than a pack of cheesy biscuits as an inflight snack

Legroom not all it could be, especially when the seat in front is reclined. Otherwise it was good, food and beverage were nice.

This portion of the flight was through Indigo. A local carrier. So all economy seating. No real service some refreshments for purchase standard economy stuff.

Transfer at Amsterdam airport is very convenient and the airport is easy to navigate. Boarding was also quick and easy. Cabin crew were excellent and the meals were good, although lacking in options.

Overall very positive. Boarding was quick and organized. Cabin was clean and seats were reasonably comfortable. Cabin crew was excellent and the meals provided were also of good quality

This fight left ahead of time which meant it arrived early which was great. Staff were very professional, but as with all these Short hop Flights the food was a disappointing snack There was no entertainment on this flight, but I did not expect any

I flew premium economy and this was a good option. Although the seats didn’t recline much, I was able to get some sleep with my head propped against the window. The food was good and the entertainment was wonderful The staff were very attentive and professional

They only had vegetarian food left on the flight which I wasn’t happy about. I didn’t get any food to eat at all.

Really good 😊 the woman at the gate entrance was a little rude checking in our carry-on but i dont think she worked for the airline, she worked for the airport at sacramento, other than that amazing.

Boarding was mayhem. Late boarding by 15 minutes because of lack of staff (missing 1 flight attendant. We had to wait for an arrival of another plane before we could board). Flight was a little rough, but cannot blame on airlines.

Airbus plane, nice and polite staff, entertainment even as it was a short flight.

United out of SFO is having issues with catering so none of our meals were loaded on the plane and no offer of compensation for our tickets purchased was offered.

Its good expeince but in enternteiment please be like you tube the music i like or movie

I needed to make changes to my flights. When I called customer service, they assisted me with care professionalism.

A bit rush for transit. Food and entertainment are not available

The gate was too far away for the connecting flight

Generally good. The aisles have gotten narrower which can slow down boarding. Flight crew was great! Healthier complimentary snacks would be appreciated. Due to earthquake in San Francisco we had to circle in air space for a bit but then had a smooth landing. I laud the flight crew for their patience ;)

headphone jack didnt work for the first flight and not much variety

The check in process at Istanbul airport caused my family a great deal of stress and disappointment due to the following factors: 1) WE HAD TO PAY US$330 for check on bags, despite holding Economy tickets that Turkish airlines website clearly states that flights from Istanbul to Miami had a 2 checked bags allowance. 2) Airport staff not only lacked empathy for senior travelers (75 yrs old and 71 yrs old), but were also rude as well. The supervisor at check it offered "if you don't pay for the bags, you can just remain and sleep at the airport for however long you wish. What a terrible way to treat customers !!! 3) We were bumped from agent to agent to agent FIVE times, showing everyone the communication we received telling us we had the 2 bags entitlement. Two elderly people lugging 4 suitcase around and around the Turkish terminal. Again, what a sad way to treat customers !!! 4) We need a case opened to get a refund for the amount we paid. Something is amiss, screams unethical, and sounds unscrupulous......At First , we were told we must pay for 4 bags. All of a sudden, it became 2 bags, and finally all 4 bags were checked on with payments demanded for 2. Why did it vary from agent to agent???? 5) OVERALL, A TERRIBLE AND SUSPICIOUSLLY UNSCRUPULOUS EXPERIENCE FLYING WITH TURKISH AIRLINES. WE ARE TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED AND SAD THAT OUR VISIT TO A BEAUTIFUL CITY ENDED IN SUCH A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE

I recently flew with Turkish Airlines, and I can confidently say it was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I boarded, the crew was incredibly attentive, warm, and professional. They went above and beyond to ensure everyone was comfortable and well taken care of throughout the flight. The highlight, however, was the food! I’ve flown with many airlines, but Turkish Airlines sets the bar incredibly high when it comes to in-flight dining. Every meal was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The variety of dishes, even on a long-haul flight, was impressive. It felt like dining at a high-end restaurant at 35,000 feet! The seats were comfortable, the entertainment options were great, and the overall atmosphere made the journey enjoyable. Turkish Airlines truly excels in combining luxury and hospitality. I wouldn’t hesitate to fly with them again—highly recommend!

One of the best flights I have been on in a while.

Here's a sample answer: "Honestly, I was really impressed with Turkish Airlines, but if I had to suggest one area for improvement, it would be: - *More efficient boarding process*: I noticed that boarding took a bit longer than expected, which might be frustrating for passengers with tight connections.

Not worth pay business class and get service economy class

In this long haul flight, flight attendants never stopped moving and giving excellent service. Very impressive. Very comfortable seats and excellent food

In sharp contrast to the modern glitzy airport, boarding facilities were primitive. Passengers had to board buses and walk up steep stairs in bitter cold with carry-on baggages. I found no reason why aerobridge was not provided.

Service and food were decent, seats are a bit too narrow. Leg room is normal. Bathroom should be cleaned more frequently. WiFi is cumbersome and should be simplified.

they have cancell the flight with no reasons, My parents were in the cold weather in the airport for 24 hours they did not give any hotel and food. I hate Turkish Airline, this is our last time that we ha ve chosen Turkish Airline.

Same as before boarding process and lack of crew experience in the process

Great experience. Flight was on time and reached destination on time

I meant this flight was not good, the one from Tirana to Frankfurt was better!

Easy checkin. Things went off without a hitch. The the movie selection for the flight wasn’t great, though.

food, movie entertainment upgraded current, interconnecting flights being on time, we have a 24-hour overlay

Exit row seat that cost extra to book had a bad monitor marked as out of order, so clearly something they should have fixed.

Cheapest airlines I have ever been on. I got downgraded and never got on united. I got rerouted through Vancouver onto jetwesf

Never happened. Flight was delayed. Had to be re rojyed

I was very grateful for Lufthansa's role in organizing mobility support. The touchscreen on my seat was faulty: slow, stained (I couldn't get it clean), and glitchy. This made selecting movies extremely time consuming, and twice I had to start all over from the beginning.

Beautifully maintained airplane, good food, professional crew, top-notch communication. I highly recommend Lufthansa for intercontinental flights between the United States and Europe.

Lufthansa is my favorite airline and have flown oversea with them for the past 25 years: i always found them so professional and incredibly efficient from checking in to arrival. I also love their Munich or Frankfurt airports.

CONSTANT ERROR MESSAGE THAT THE WIFI COULD NOT BE PURCHASED DUE TO INABILITY TO CONNECT PAYMENT SYSTEM VIA SATELLITE. THIS HAPPENED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. THE MAIN REASON I TRAVEL IN PRIORITY IS TO BE ABLE TO WORK FOR WHICH I NEED ACCESS TO INTERNET. .

They lost my luggage. Lady who was helping with it in Austin was rude. Not very helpful!

Waited 3.25 hours in plane only to have the flight cancelled.

bad, made it to connecting flight and they didnt let me board

More space, of course. a footrest! more room to walk. Movie selection was awful. Some good documentaries would help if the movies can't be better. The flight itself was great, crew was great.

Our flight was cancelled on Sunday morning. We were supposed to take a short flight to Dallas from Austin, then a nonstop to Barcelona. We were rerouted from Austin to Miami on American Airlines due to storms we sat at the gate for 2 1/2 hours, pilot announced we needed fuel. In air pilot said we were rerouted to Fort Myers 30 minutes from Zmiami. Sat on tarmac waiting for a gate. Deplaned at 10:09. Pilot gave conflicting info about what to do. Missed Miami flight to Barcelona. Pilot announced crew was timed out and we would have to wait for a new crew. Waited a couple of hours. Got to Miami at 2:30 am. Gate agents at Fort Myers told us to go to D30 for hotel vouchers. No one was there. So we slept a little on the floor. Husband is 80 and I am 74. Rerouted to JFK at 9:54 am on Monday, then flight to Barcelona at 5 pm. We arrived in Barcelona a day late and missed the first night of our Oceania Marina cruise. We feel that we are due a lot of compensation for this trip from hell.

Better synchronizing the boarding processes. The audio announcements, the personnel and the digital signage were not saying the same thing. All confusion.

The first class seats were unusable, mine at the end of the flight, my husband's in the middle of the flight, and the one next to me was unusable either, they had to move the person to another seat.

Last minute gate change. Didn’t put our TSA global on our trip even though we asked multiple times to confirm. Did not help with food when could not eat what was served.

Our luggage didn’t arrive with us, that puts a damper on the whole trip.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Istanbul to San Francisco

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