Find cheap flights from San Diego to Istanbul - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Nonstop flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between San Diego and Istanbul. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
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Top routes
SAN - SAW
Cheapest • 6% average savings
SAN - IST
Most popular
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When to book
17 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 17 weeks in advance save around 48% compared to booking last minute.
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When to travel
March
Cheapest • 39% price drop
June
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
London Heathrow (LHR)
Cheapest • Avg $939 (round-trip)
Denver Intl (DEN)
Shortest trip • 16h 42m (one-way)
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Cheap Flights from San Diego to Istanbul (SAN-IST)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Diego to Istanbul

Multiple Airlines Logo
SAN  San Diego Airport-TR5 Treorchy Treherbert
6899 mimulti-stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
TR5  Treorchy Treherbert-SAN San Diego Airport
6899 mimulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for San Diego to Istanbul flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from San Diego to Istanbul with more confidence.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to Istanbul?

Monday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to Istanbul, it is 27% cheaper than the average day. Friday is the most expensive day with flight prices 18% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

•March is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Istanbul at $643 round-trip.
•June ($1,434) and July ($1,289) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 123% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from San Diego to Istanbul the cheapest?

Flights from San Diego to Istanbul are cheapest 17 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 48% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

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Key details for San Diego to Istanbul flights

Low season

January
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 27% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 36% increase in price.

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

Your San Diego to Istanbul flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from San Diego to Istanbul?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from San Diego to Istanbul:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How long is a flight from San Diego to Istanbul?

    A nonstop flight from San Diego to Istanbul takes 0h 00m, covering 6,899 miles.

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

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San Diego to Istanbul flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Diego to Istanbul range from $780 to $1,320, with an average of $1,055 over the past 12 months. Anything below $780 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Diego to Istanbul flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 31% above the route average of $1,055. Book 17 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • What car rental options are available in Istanbul?

    Since Istanbul is served by multiple airports, car rental options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
    Near Istanbul Airport (IST) — daily rates from around $10:

    • CIRCULAR
    • Avec Car Rental
    • Ok Mobility
    • Alamo
    • Autounion Car Rental

    Near Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) — daily rates from around $12:

    • Avec Car Rental
    • CIRCULAR
    • Final Rentals
    • Autounion Car Rental
    • ESSENCE CAR RENTAL

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San Diego to Istanbul?

    Flights from San Diego to Istanbul usually depart from San Diego (SAN) and may arrive at several airports in Istanbul area, including Istanbul (IST) and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San Diego to Istanbul pass through?

    One-stop flights from San Diego to Istanbul most commonly connect through:

    • London Heathrow (LHR) - 28% of one-stop connections
    • Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA) - 26% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 25% of one-stop connections
    • New York John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) - 6% of one-stop connections

    London Heathrow (LHR) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Diego to Istanbul?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 39% on the San Diego to Istanbul route. Monday is the cheapest departure day at $773 round-trip on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $1,249, a difference of $476. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from San Diego to Istanbul?

    Flying via Denver Intl (DEN) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 16h 42m, compared with 17h 32m via Los Angeles (LAX) and 17h 59m via San Francisco (SFO).

  • What is the time difference between San Diego and Istanbul?

    Istanbul is 10 hours ahead of San Diego (Turkey Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Istanbul?

    Some of the most popular sights in Istanbul are Taksim Square, Sultan Ahmet Camii and Ayasofya. These are among the most viewed places in Istanbul on KAYAK.

  • 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.

Your guide to booking San Diego to Istanbul flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Monday departure instead of Friday. On this route, Monday flights average $773 - about $476 less than Friday (38% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 17 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 48% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Diego to Istanbul trip for March. Fares historically average $643 round-trip in that month - typically $791 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
    - Isg Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel
    - Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Istanbul Tuzla
    - Home Plus Hotel
  • 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.

More options for your flight from San Diego to Istanbul

Complete your trip to Istanbul with a hotel stay or car rental

Car rentals in Istanbul
Hotels in Istanbul
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