$355 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to Istanbul

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from San Diego to Istanbul departing on 4/28. 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, 0 bags

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

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Diego to Istanbul.
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from San Diego to Istanbul.
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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$717
Overall average: $682
KLM
Wed 4/29Wed 5/6
SAN - IST • 2 stops
Cheapest one-way
$355
Multiple Airlines
Tue 4/28
SAN - SAW • 3 stops
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $717 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 7.9 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 22% compared to booking last minute.
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Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Diego to Istanbul (SAN-IST)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from San Diego to Istanbul 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 San Diego to Istanbul

Wed, Apr 29 - Wed, May 6
KLM Logo
1:14 pm - 1:20 am
SAN
-
IST
26h 06m
2 stops
KLM Logo
5:20 pm - 11:50 am
IST
-
SAN
28h 30m
1 stop
$717KLM
Wed, Apr 29 - Wed, May 6
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:00 pm - 1:20 am
SAN
-
IST
22h 20m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 12:17 pm
IST
-
SAN
40h 17m
2 stops
$718Multiple Airlines
Thu, Apr 9 - Thu, Apr 23
KLM Logo
1:40 pm - 1:20 am
SAN
-
IST
25h 40m
1 stop
KLM Logo
6:00 am - 11:50 am
IST
-
SAN
15h 50m
1 stop
$721KLM
Thu, Apr 9 - Thu, Apr 23
KLM Logo
2:47 pm - 9:00 pm
SAN
-
SAW
20h 13m
2 stops
KLM Logo
8:50 am - 6:19 pm
SAW
-
SAN
43h 29m
2 stops
$727KLM
Sun, Apr 26 - Mon, May 11
Delta Logo
10:05 am - 3:30 am
SAN
-
IST
31h 25m
2 stops
Delta Logo
5:20 pm - 11:50 am
IST
-
SAN
28h 30m
1 stop
$728Delta
Tue, Apr 21 - Fri, May 1
KLM Logo
1:40 pm - 4:20 pm
SAN
-
IST
16h 40m
1 stop
KLM Logo
5:20 pm - 11:50 am
IST
-
SAN
28h 30m
1 stop
$729KLM
Mon, Apr 27 - Wed, May 6
Delta Logo
6:20 am - 4:20 pm
SAN
-
IST
24h 00m
2 stops
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 5:34 pm
IST
-
SAN
21h 34m
2 stops
$738Delta
Tue, Apr 21 - Mon, May 11
KLM Logo
1:40 pm - 5:05 pm
SAN
-
SAW
17h 25m
1 stop
KLM Logo
2:40 pm - 11:50 am
SAW
-
SAN
31h 10m
1 stop
$765KLM
Thu, Apr 9 - Thu, Apr 23
Delta Logo
10:40 am - 3:30 am
SAN
-
IST
30h 50m
2 stops
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 11:25 pm
IST
-
SAN
27h 25m
2 stops
$777Delta
Mon, Apr 27 - Fri, May 8
Delta Logo
1:40 pm - 3:30 am
SAN
-
IST
27h 50m
2 stops
Delta Logo
5:20 pm - 11:50 am
IST
-
SAN
28h 30m
1 stop
$778Delta
Booking Insights

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

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

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Istanbul?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from San Diego to Istanbul, 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 San Diego to Istanbul is January, where tickets cost $563 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are May and July, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $1,058 and $1,056 respectively.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from San Diego to Istanbul, 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 San Diego to Istanbul, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 22% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 14 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Cheapest flight$355
Flight from San Diego to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

When to book flights from San Diego to Istanbul

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Diego to Istanbul 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 flights from San Diego to Istanbul

  • Which airlines offer family-friendly flights from San Diego to Istanbul?

    If you are on a family vacation to Istanbul from San Diego, consider reserving your flight with American Airlines. One of the benefits of flying with American Airlines is the seating arrangement. The airline allows you to sit next to your child under 15. Also, American Airlines allows you to bring on board kids' convenient items, including pads, car seats, and strollers. The airline also offers in-flight entertainment, including Homer educational videos.

  • How can I catch the earliest flights from San Diego to Istanbul?

    Suppose you have an early flight the following morning; in this case, consider booking a hotel near SAN to escape the hassle of commuting amid rush hours. And the good news is that you have a wide range of options. For instance, Handlery Hotel San Diego, Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor, and Old Town Inn are top places offering affordable accommodation services.

  • Which other Turkish Cities can I visit from Istanbul International Airport?

    Once you are at IST, you can go to several other cities because, besides being a destination for international travelers, the airport also serves as a departure for several domestic flights. You can visit these and other cities from IST; Bursa, Mugla, Ankara, Nevsehir, Alanya, Trabzon, Bodrum, and Bursa. These cities are accessible by flight, train, taxi, or rental car.

  • What is the best transport from Istanbul International Airport to Istanbul downtown?

    Take Havaist Line Bus at Sultanahmet the IST 1S to Taksim Square, taking approximately 1h 10min. You can also take the Metro from the M11 to Gayrettepe Station and change to M2, which drops you at Taksim Metro Station in about 40 minutes. Taxis are also available, but you’ll pay a little more, taking about 50 minutes.

  • What is the cheapest flight from San Diego to Istanbul?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Diego to Istanbul was $355 for a one-way ticket and $717 for a round-trip.

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

    Yes, you'll most likely have to show a valid passport before boarding the plane in San Diego and on arrival in Istanbul.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from San Diego to Istanbul?

    When flying out of San Diego you will be using San Diego. You will be landing at one of these airports: Istanbul or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen.

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

    We unfortunately don’t have that data for this specific route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from San Diego to Istanbul?

    Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and oneworld are the airline alliances operating flights between San Diego and Istanbul, with Star Alliance being the most commonly used for this route.

  • What is the most popular layover when flying to Istanbul from San Diego?

    London is the most popular layover city among KAYAK users traveling from San Diego to Istanbul.

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

    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 San Diego to Istanbul.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Istanbul from San Diego 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 San Diego to Istanbul?

    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 Istanbul with an airline and back to San Diego with another airline.

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

    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 Istanbul from San Diego 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 San Diego to Istanbul

  • San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the leading air transportation hub for San Diego domestic, regional, and international flights. The common airlines to expect include Qatar Airways, Delta, United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Emirates, JetBlue, and KLM.
  • If you are looking for sustainable flights from San Diego to Istanbul, consider flying economy class with JetBlue. The airline is one of the green and most eco-friendly flights on the route. Also, they are replacing their older aircraft with newer ones for fuel efficiency.
  • The layover cities when traveling from San Diego to Istanbul vary depending on the airline you are traveling in. The common layover cities, include Dublin, Frankfurt, Munich, London, New York, Salt Lake, Helsinki, Vancouver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Miami.
  • Istanbul is served by 2 major airports, including Istanbul International Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). The advantage of landing at SAW is that you'll enjoy shorter queues at the checkpoints. If you want to visit major destinations like Hagia Sophia, consider flying to IST since it's closer to this renowned site.
  • Suppose you intend to travel with your furry family from San Diego to Istanbul, consider booking a flight with United Airways. The airline not only allows your dog or cat in the cabin in a carrier, the airline, it has reasonable additional charges for the pets and also allows you to carry a small blanket for pet relief.

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

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from San Diego to Istanbul. 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 San Diego to Istanbul? 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.
7.9
DeltaOverall score based on 8289 reviews
7.2Food
8.1Boarding
7.8Entertainment
8.5Crew
7.9Comfort
Airline reviews

I was in first class and literally the men behind me were so aggressively loud I moved myself to economy. This has become so common on Delta - people using audio without headphones, and men on 12am / late night flights drinking and yelling to talk to each other which prevents anyone around them from resting. Pretty crazy to have to move from first to economy (poorer service, less comfort...). Wild wild. Looking into other airlines.

2.0 MediocreIsabella, Mar 2026
SJC - SLC
Read more Delta reviews

I was in first class and literally the men behind me were so aggressively loud I moved myself to economy. This has become so common on Delta - people using audio without headphones, and men on 12am / late night flights drinking and yelling to talk to each other which prevents anyone around them from resting. Pretty crazy to have to move from first to economy (poorer service, less comfort...). Wild wild. Looking into other airlines.

Flight was delayed by 3-hours and their fix was… complimentary pretzels.

The crew, and fellow passengers, were super gracious and kind. There seemed to be plenty of bin space even though the plane was full. It’s nice to get a glass of wine with dinner in Premiere seating, and there was a lot of food.

Everything I mentioned earlier - the airbus was more comfortable indeed and the experience was further enhanced.

The plane was an older model, so it wasn’t as comfortable as others. The flight attendants were not helpful during onboarding. It was a full flight so there was chaos finding space for baggage.

Awesome! On time flight, early arrival, and a complimentary upgrade!

It was nt delta. It was aeromexo. Service was awful. They served a very small drink and NO snack for a 3hr and 35min flight. Then for the first 30 min of the flight is was talk and talk over head interruption the movie/ show i picked to watch.

Delta One is extraordinary. I fly business when somebody hires me. I just wonder why there is such a chasm between business class and the insanely inhumane and nonsensical coach. The seats are not large enough to fit even my tiny wife. We fly 10% of what we did because we don’t want to pay 5-10 k but for $400 it’s unbearable. It seems like the accountants took over and made stupid decisions. Screw in 20 extra seats and make it so unbearable that people fly 90% less. Just put the damn price up and put some proper chairs in. But business, yay.

Delta’s staff is unmatched. From the gate agents, to the pilots, to the flight attendants… all top of the industry.

The flight was delayed for about 2 hrs. Other than it, it was good.

It was really nice experience by flying this klm flight.I personally recommend everyone to please try this klm flight

It was really nice journey i personally recommend klm flight

The crew were unprofessional with a racist element. I was physically abused as well from one of the crew members

Crew is not the cheerful type. very slow meal service (this is their style as have flown this many times)

Empty seats next to me - wish it had been for a longer flight!!

Flight was on time, staff are friendly and helpful onboard.

Terrible last row seats many seats available but no offer to move to better seat

At the airport, terrible, I do not want to even remember it. It was too humiliating for a business class passenger.

They forgot to serve food and the crew was very unfriendly. Never experienced such a bad KLM flight. Usually fly from Toronto. New York was different.

Over 1 Hr delay. No APU so no AC on ground. Plane was hot during boarding and then they closed the doors over 20 minutes before engine start so interior of plane was steamy hot and stuffy. Could have been helped by opening doors until ready to depart.

Departed Palm Springs over an hour late because there’s only one gate, and it has always delayed by the arriving and departing flight to Toronto and the arriving flight from Vancouver.

The flight left late and I didn’t get a glass of bubbly upon boarding (which I’m used to when booking business class on other flights), but otherwise it was a pleasant flight with lovely, helpful crew members and I enjoyed my meal.

Couldn't fit knees, only 1 toilet working, didn't get anything to drink cause the stewards were not able to get to us

Flight was canceled for a reason they knew hours before but did not mention. Next the gate chnage from 37 to 38 at least 10 times. Ridiculous.

The flight from SFO to YVR was delayed and my bag did not make it to my next flight from YVR to SYD. It took almost 3 days after I landed to get my bag and when I got it, it was filled with dust

Great check in process in LA and good service The check in process as well as at the gate is way better in the US versus canada 🇨🇦

All attendents were very efficient, pleasant and happy. Everything went smoothly. The seats could have been wider. There could have been more free food instead of just one small bar.

I liked a lot , the flight attendant so nice ,the seat very comfortable I enjoyed the flight , I will do it again with Air Canada,

It was a smooth flight both in the sky and landing!

The crew was really nice. The plane seats were kinda small even for a 5’6” / 158 lbs person.

Lufthansa cancelled our flight from Los Angeles to Naples Italy on March 10 for scheduled flight on March 12 Very stressful experience trying to arrange alternatives. Will never fly again with Lufthansa

Service and food were excellent. Incredibly friendly and competent staff. Flight was delayed over and hour and I had to run between terminals to get my connecting flight.

Late flight Delays Poor service Poor staff Worst airline ever

Lufthansa still has a good level of quality compared to US airlines, especially with respect to (1) food quality - actually tasty, (2) good French red wine - free, (3) good movie selection. Also my ticket price includes 1 free check-in luggage, while some other budget airlines sneak in an extra $150 for a checkin.

The food could be better, more snacks. And have some plugs to chargue the phone.

Everything was really great just The aircraft was too old and sounded it will break during takeoff

Extremely pleased with the crew. Best flight attendants ever! Very friendly, genuinely caring and attentive.

Best flight attendants ever! Very customer and service oriented, courteous, professional and helpful.

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

Very small and uncomfortable seats, Hard to hear entertainment system sound. Horrible food. Staff doesn't care much about the passengers. 2nd time they didn't give me my vegetarian meal. They asked me regular food with meat. The airline and staff was from United airlines.

They had us seating down for one hour just waiting on the plane

Flying with BA is always a good experience—even in economy class. It is better if in business and first class. Timely, breeze through security and timely connections

The issue was not with BA it was with the link yoiu sent fopr booking the flight

Loved the boarding option from Business class lounge, experience on flight was excellent, plenty of good food choices

Awful it always is unfortunately is the only way to fly direct to london

Check in was was and the agent was very friendly and helpful The lounge was nice...boarding was straight from the lounge Everything worked at our seats, and video entertainment was good ..food was mediocre

Airlines have to stop assuming passengers bring entertainment. Provide it like you used to in business class and above!! N

Need to offer Better food from LAX to London Service from London to Delhi very delayed after take off.

Great crew and food and beverage. Seating tight but not the airline's fault. Will definitely fly BA in future!

Crying baby the ENTIRE flight. Not your fault, but I paid 2700 for a premium economy ticket and it wasn't worth it. should have just stuck with coach. flight attendants very mediocre - minimal effort. Plane didn't seem very clean. Didn't have any cleansing wipes - most airlines give you this when you board. Flat screen scrolling didn't work. Toiletry case a joke - why bother at all?

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports