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

These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San Francisco to Istanbul:

• Earliest: departs at 12:50 pm and lands at 1:52 am
• Latest: departs at 7:35 pm and lands at 8:37 am.

The flight takes about 13h 02m.

Three cabin classes are available on flights from San Francisco to Istanbul:

• Economy Class
• Premium Economy Class
• Business Class

A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Istanbul takes 13h 02m, covering 6,704 miles.

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.

Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Istanbul range from $939 to $1,382, with an average of $1,135 over the past 12 months. Anything below $939 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 10% above the $1,135 route average. Book 17 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $713 round-trip via Kastrup Copenhagen (CPH), compared to $1,154 for nonstop.

Turkish Airlines is the only airline operating San Francisco to Istanbul flights. 89% of its flights are on time.

There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $52–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

Evening is the busiest departure period on San Francisco to Istanbul flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 0%, afternoon flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

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
• ESSENCE CAR RENTAL
• 724Rent

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

Evening flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Francisco to Istanbul route, 11% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 10m.

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

• Frankfurt am Main (FRA) - 42% of one-stop connections
• Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 11% of one-stop connections
• London Heathrow (LHR) - 9% of one-stop connections
• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - 8% of one-stop connections

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 12% on flights from San Francisco to Istanbul. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $1,071 round-trip on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $1,206, a difference of $135.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

Only Turkish Airlines operates flights between San Francisco and Istanbul.

Flying via Frankfurt am Main (FRA) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 17h 09m, compared with 18h 36m via London Heathrow (LHR) and 18h 40m via Warsaw Frederic Chopin (WAW).

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

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.

Among airlines operating San Francisco to Istanbul flights:

• Turkish Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

• Turkish Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
• IndiGo: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Business Class
• Pakistan International Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Business Class

Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

For those passengers that would like to use public transportation to get from the airport to the city center, the best option is to travel on the IETT buses operated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Travelers that would prefer to make the trip by taxi should expect a trip time of about 32 minutes.

Travelers making a trip to Istanbul will need to obtain a visa before the trip. If you are traveling on a vacation, you can stay for up to 90 days in the country when you obtain an e-Visa through the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey.

Passengers will find shower facilities available at the IGA Lounge, that sits on the Airside of the International Terminal right past passport control. There are also shower facilities available at The Ambassador Spa & Beauty Salon, which has a location on the Airside of Terminal One right next to the IGA Lounge.

There is a hotel that has a location right at the airport property, and it's called the YOTEL Istanbul Hotel Landside. Another option that is close to the airport is the Park Inn by Radisson, Istanbul Airport, Odayeri but be aware that this hotel does not offer a shuttle to and from the airport.