SFO - IST

$573 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport

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 Francisco to Istanbul departing on 7/16. 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 Airport

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

Cheapest round-trip
$1,050
Typical prices: $1,156-$722
Lufthansa
Sun 11/8Mon 11/16
SFO - IST • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$1,057
Typical prices: $1,258-$978
Turkish Airlines
Mon 8/10Wed 8/26
SFO - IST • Non-stop
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $1,050 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 7.8 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Turkish Airlines. Average duration is 12h 52m
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 91% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $879 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 16h 55m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 5 weeks in advance save around 19% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 25% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Istanbul!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

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

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

Sun, Nov 8 - Mon, Nov 16
Lufthansa Logo
9:40 pm - 3:05 am
SFO
-
IST
18h 25m
1 stop
Lufthansa Logo
4:45 am - 7:35 pm
IST
-
SFO
25h 50m
1 stop
$1,050Lufthansa
Mon, Aug 17 - Tue, Sep 1
KLM Logo
1:45 pm - 1:20 am
SFO
-
IST
25h 35m
1 stop
KLM Logo
6:00 am - 11:45 am
IST
-
SFO
15h 45m
1 stop
$1,051KLM
Mon, Aug 3 - Mon, Aug 24
Qatar Airways Logo
3:55 pm - 11:55 am
SFO
-
IST
34h 00m
1 stop
Qatar Airways Logo
8:05 pm - 1:35 pm
IST
-
SFO
27h 30m
1 stop
$1,052Qatar Airways
Tue, Sep 15 - Tue, Sep 22
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:30 am - 4:20 pm
SFO
-
IST
20h 50m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:25 am - 12:50 pm
IST
-
SFO
18h 25m
1 stop
$1,053Multiple Airlines
Tue, Aug 11 - Tue, Aug 18
KLM Logo
10:40 am - 4:20 pm
SFO
-
IST
19h 40m
2 stops
KLM Logo
5:20 pm - 11:45 am
IST
-
SFO
28h 25m
1 stop
$1,054KLM
Wed, Aug 19 - Fri, Aug 28
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:55 am - 4:20 pm
SFO
-
IST
21h 25m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:25 am - 6:00 pm
IST
-
SFO
23h 35m
1 stop
$1,055Multiple Airlines
Tue, Aug 18 - Sat, Aug 29
KLM Logo
1:45 pm - 1:20 am
SFO
-
IST
25h 35m
1 stop
KLM Logo
5:20 pm - 11:45 am
IST
-
SFO
28h 25m
1 stop
$1,056KLM
Sun, Aug 9 - Mon, Aug 24
British Airways Logo
7:30 pm - 1:35 pm
SFO
-
IST
32h 05m
1 stop
British Airways Logo
8:15 pm - 1:50 pm
IST
-
SFO
27h 35m
1 stop
$1,057British Airways
Thu, Aug 6 - Sat, Sep 5
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:10 pm - 3:30 am
SFO
-
IST
21h 20m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 4:16 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 16m
2 stops
$1,058Multiple Airlines
Tue, Aug 11 - Thu, Aug 20
United Airlines Logo
11:39 pm - 9:25 pm
SFO
-
IST
35h 46m
2 stops
United Airlines Logo
1:55 pm - 7:45 pm
IST
-
SFO
15h 50m
1 stop
$1,059United Airlines
Booking Insights

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

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

How much is a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport?

This analysis is based on the cheapest round-trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport departing in November.

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

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

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to Istanbul Airport on a Monday and more expensive on a Friday. On your return trip to San Francisco, you should consider flying back on a Thursday, and avoid Saturdays for better deals.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport, 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 Francisco to Istanbul Airport is February, where tickets cost $799 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and December, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $1,451 and $1,296 respectively.

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

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.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $1,120 on average.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport, 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 Francisco to Istanbul Airport, you should book around 5 weeks before departure, which saves you about 19% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 17 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$573
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 25% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 18% increase in price.
Flight from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport

When to book flights from San Francisco to Istanbul

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco 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.

Flights from San Francisco to Istanbul: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from San Francisco to Istanbul 
Verified travelerFlew with Turkish Airlines
SFO
-
IST
May 2026
Be sure your layover time in Istanbul is long enough to get on the next flight.
benedictFlew with Turkish Airlines
SFO
-
IST
Mar 2024
Polaris lounge is located in the G gate and Turkish flies from A gate. Go to G gate first if you want to hang out at the lounge

FAQs for booking San Francisco to Istanbul Airport flights

  • Does IST have a storage facility where I can store some of my luggage?

    If you’d like to leave some of your luggage at IST, you’ll be able to do just that, as the airport boasts Öztürk Luggage Storage, a reliable storage company. This storage company has its lockers in the arrivals area of the airport’s International Terminal. As it offers its services at affordable rates, you need not worry about incurring a massive bill if you use some of its lockers.

  • Can I enjoy spa services at IST?

    At IST, you can enjoy spa services at The Ambassador Spa & Beauty Salon, situated in Terminal 1, adjacent to the IGA lounge. Some of the spa services you can enjoy at this spa include full spa treatments, steaming services, and shower packages. Given that it also has comfortable beds, you can have a short nap at this spa before proceeding with your journey.

  • Where can I comfortably work at SFO?

    If you’d like to do some work while waiting for your flight to Istanbul at SFO, you should visit the airport’s business center. Situated in the Main Hall of the International Terminal, this establishment features personal workspaces, a strong internet connection, as well as photocopying, faxing, and printing machines.

  • Does SFO have baby care facilities?

    If you’re searching for a room where you can privately breastfeed your baby at SFO, you’re in luck, as the airport is home to at least four nursing rooms. Terminals 1 and 3 both feature one nursing room, while Terminal 2 features two.

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

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport was $575 for a one-way ticket and $1,050 for a round-trip.

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

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

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

    When flying out of San Francisco you will be using San Francisco. You will be landing at Istanbul Airport, also known as Istanbul.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport?

    All the following airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the San Francisco to Istanbul Airport flight route: SWISS, United Airlines, Iberia, Lufthansa, Finnair, British Airways, and Austrian Airlines.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from San Francisco to Istanbul are KLM and Delta. With an average price for the route of $979 and an overall rating of 7.8, KLM is the most popular choice. Delta is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $1,175 and an overall rating of 7.8.

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

    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 Francisco to Istanbul Airport.

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

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

    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 Airport with an airline and back to San Francisco with another airline. Booking your flights between San Francisco and IST 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 San Francisco to Istanbul Airport?

    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 Airport from San Francisco 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 Francisco to Istanbul Airport

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $677 or less one-way and $1,105 or less round-trip.
  • If you intend to travel aboard an early morning flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Istanbul, you should consider spending the night before at Grand Hyatt at SFO. From this hotel, you’ll be able to easily get to your departure terminal, given that it is within the grounds of the airport.
  • To get to SFO from San Francisco’s city center, you can do so by bus, train, or taxi. Among the three, it’s in your best interest to travel by train, as the trains that serve this route are just as cheap as the buses and as quick as the taxis.
  • SFO boasts onsite and off-site parking facilities. If you’d like to park your car at this airport for the duration of your trip, consider parking it at one of the airport’s off-site parking garages, as these garages are cheaper than those present within the airport’s grounds. Given that off-site garages at this airport usually feature airport shuttle services, if you park at any, you need not worry about struggling to get to the airport once you leave your car.
  • Istanbul has two airports, Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). Of the two, only IST serves flights from SFO. Thus, in this city, you’ll disembark from your flight at IST.
  • At IST, prayer rooms can be found in each concourse. In total, there are 22 prayer rooms available for men and 22 others available for women. Given that these prayer rooms are always open if you’d like to pray once you alight at this airport, you’ll have multiple prayer rooms to choose from.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport?

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

Direct departures

San Francisco to Istanbul

Monday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Tuesday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Wednesday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Thursday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Friday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Saturday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Sunday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Istanbul to San Francisco

Monday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Tuesday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Wednesday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Thursday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Friday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Saturday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Sunday

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines

See more direct flights

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

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from San Francisco 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 Francisco 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.
7.8
DeltaOverall score based on 8407 reviews
8.5Crew
7.2Food
7.8Comfort
7.8Entertainment
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

Be on time? When not on time a circling for over an hour offer more than 1 bag of chips to the passengers? It was a 7 hour flight by the time we got done.

4.0 OkayAndrew, Jun 2026
LAX - JFK
Read more Delta reviews

Be on time? When not on time a circling for over an hour offer more than 1 bag of chips to the passengers? It was a 7 hour flight by the time we got done.

Flight delayed four separate times. I’m now one hour hours late to landing.

Checkin was good, fllight ws good. Onlly complaint is lack of foot on 6 hour flight from Seattle to Boston. Snacks were flimsy - chips and cookies. could have offered something more substantial for such a long flight. I know you can buy food in airport but for the price you pay for a ticket, they should step up for the passengers.

Long story short, it was one of the better flight experiences I've had in some time when compared with other airlines.

While they turned off most cabin lights to allow people to sleep, I was bothered by how bright the side lights still were. It was still quite bright for me in a window seat, when I wish I could have slept!

Generally on time departures and arrivals, clean planes, sky miles membership provides great benefits (complimentary upgrades, etc).

N Everything was perfect from boarding to assistance to baggage in Tampa

Loved the crew! Sucks that we went from 1 hour and 8 minute layover to a 3 hour layover. But weather sucks like that.

Fast, lovely scenery, great info on the Delta flight screen about landmarks we were flying over. Great landing!

Long flight but comfortable and not freezing as I have experienced on Hawaiian flights to the islands. They gave us blankets just in case. Nice touch.

The flight was 45 mins late leaving, we sat without a/c for some of this, 2nd Meal was a slice of pizza. Movies were good.

As per usual when you Hit the UK it's a slow process through customs Not as efficient at Thailand for sure

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

I’m grateful for the KLM Air France shuttle bus service to Ottawa. However due to construction and other issues related to the chaotic Uber pickup system at YUL, it’s a challenge to find the Kelios bus service to Ottawa. The signs are not clear or even available. No staff to guide passengers. It’s a stressful experience.

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.

Ad experience - been flying many years with them but they are losing out to other carriers with their service and bagage / seating policy. My 2 12-yo kids were not placed with the parent. Absurdity.

Entertainment system is okay, flight attendants were ok. Leg space very narrow, I couldn’t get what I wanted to eat, dinner nor breakfast.

Excellent experience with business class area. Staff was attentive and food was amazing. Only one bathroom for business class which was logistically difficult for the staff while preparing meals. Need to offer fluids with meals. I did not get enough water to drink. But overall I rate it 5 star.

On time, great food, good drink selection! Only down was alcohol-free lounge. Lufthansa had a much better offering!

Seat assignments for family traveling with 2 children. Loud crowd during sleep time

It was crowded… the bathrooms dirty and smelly. The seats have been made even smaller.

delayed to take off from detroit by 3 hours lost baggage in istanbul and now in venice without baggage

Seats were very tight with poor legroom - and I am average height. During the 12 hour flight, tiny paper cups of drinks we're only offered during the super and breakfast services, with the crew nowhere to be seen in between. One of the bathrooms was out of order, leading to long lines waiting to use the remaining two available to the economy class passengers.

short flight but we still got a very nice lunch and the crew did an excellent job in taking care of us

For that price on Business class, I expected to have the pod seats. These were configured as 2/3/2 and my seat mate talked half the flight with a friend across the isle, loudly. Very uncouth.

The ground crew members at check in counter were courteous. The boarding was seamless. Flight departed as scheduled. Service on board was great

It was perfect! United Airlines staff was extremely caring, super friendly and professional

United has maintenance issues and can then never recover. No operations ability and simple issues always turn into multiple hours long cascading delays. Worst airline on earth.

I paid for a confirmed upgraded aisle seat and was moved to a center seat in the back of the plane at the last minute.

Horrifying Almost 2 million miles. Bring your own food and drink. One coffee or drink every three hours. Have to order meals on app more than 24 hours ahead Tiny and dirty bathrooms

Easy of boarding, helpfully staff at check in, surprisingly comfortable seating

Lost of requested seat assignments. Lost my husband's meal choice

My service dog and I were asked to deplane just before they closed the door - clearly very last minute they couldn’t find the documentation that I have filled out many many times before that is for flying service animals. I purposely purchase 3seats (a whole row) since he is large and not all passengers want to sit next to a dog on a cross country flight. The plane departed with my husband on it!!! They made me fill out a hard copy of the same form and had to reschedule me on a later flight where they could find 3 seats together!! I’ve done this so many times before - clearly the error was on their part in a technology glitch - but really people - do better!! Very traumatic - and my husband had to wait for us when he landed ….so bad. Poor pup was confused and tired.

My flight time was changed without any notification to me which ruined my time sensitive plans so I ended up completely changing my travel plans and no reimbursement.

No screens or meal options. Freezing cold. Dirty seats. Left late.

I liked that my son and I were reseated next to each other (we had different bookings). I liked that it was a directg flight and mostly on time. I liked that you provided pillows and blankets. Flight attendants were generally courteous. The messaging through wifi did not work well. The food was not good. Seats are very narrow and I felt slightly claustraphobic in the window seat.

Flight attendants were fine, seats a bit hard but I use a cushion for extra support. The only issue was it was a bit too cool and I needed to ask for and received and extra blanket. I survived!!!

Very few things and/or people are excellent. It was very good.

Food choices limited & not enticing Seats quite uncomfortable & difficult to control

Definitely get premium economy on a flight this long if you can. Your legs and while body will thank you.

Boarding was disorganized. The door to one to the toilets wouldn’t lock. The plane was shockingly cramped, and clearly used for domestic flights due to the menus for items to sell domestic travelers. United should be ashamed of its small seats, tiny unclean toilets, and money grubbing stance toward services, compared to Lufthansa, Emirates, and most international carriers United is awful.

Not great!!! Seats in Business class were horrible; no cushion!!!

Terrible. Lost our luggage for 4 days. Did not advise passengers there was a strike in Barcelona Airport and had zero personnel on hand at airport to advise passengers on where to go to file claims. We had to fend for ourselves. No assistance at all other than an online claims submission process that we had to find out about on our own.

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

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports