SFO - IST

$427 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 4/14. 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
$760
Typical prices: $1,274-$959
Scandinavian Airlines
Mon 4/20Mon 5/11
SFO - IST • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$879
Typical prices: $1,192-$829
Turkish Airlines
Tue 4/14Fri 4/24
SFO - IST • Non-stop
Top airlines
Cheapest • from $760 (round-trip)
Best reviews • 7.9 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Nonstop flights
Every day
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 • 92% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $821 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 16h 19m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 3 weeks in advance save around 17% 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

Mon, Apr 20 - Mon, May 11
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$760Scandinavian Airlines
Mon, Apr 27 - Mon, May 4
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$761Scandinavian Airlines
Mon, Apr 20 - Mon, May 11
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$762Scandinavian Airlines
Wed, Aug 19 - Thu, Sep 10
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$768Scandinavian Airlines
Fri, Aug 28 - Fri, Sep 11
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$776Scandinavian Airlines
Mon, Apr 27 - Fri, May 1
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$788Scandinavian Airlines
Tue, Aug 18 - Tue, Sep 1
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$796Scandinavian Airlines
Thu, Apr 30 - Sat, May 9
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$797Scandinavian Airlines
Tue, Aug 25 - Sun, Sep 13
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$803Scandinavian Airlines
Mon, Aug 24 - Tue, Sep 1
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 3:40 am
SFO
-
IST
24h 55m
1 stop
Scandinavian Airlines Logo
4:30 am - 2:40 pm
IST
-
SFO
20h 10m
1 stop
$806Scandinavian 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 April.

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 $808 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and December, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $1,500 and $1,288 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.

No, with an average price for the route of $1,014, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

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 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 17% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 18 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$427
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 25% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 13% 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.

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 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport was $427 for a one-way ticket and $760 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, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Iberia, and British Airways.

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

    The Boeing 777-300ER 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, Delta or KLM?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from San Francisco to Istanbul are Delta and KLM. With an average price for the route of $1,039 and an overall rating of 7.9, Delta is the most popular choice. KLM is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $843 and an overall rating of 7.7.

  • 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 $556 or less one-way and $788 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.
7.9
DeltaOverall score based on 8371 reviews
7.8Entertainment
7.2Food
7.9Comfort
8.5Crew
8.1Boarding
Airline reviews

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

10.0 ExcellentLorna, Mar 2026
LAX - PDX
Read more Delta reviews

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.

I took seat 15A in anticipation of window seat, there is no window.

Flight late, the waited for a long time for “personal” to arrive at gate to dock the plane in Rochester. So annoying. This flight was expected, why aren’t personel available for the jet bridge?

My recent experience was excellent on Delta! I flew with Delta Comfort and I was really comfortable in my seat. I enjoyed the in-flight service. The flight attendants were so friendly and hospitable. I love the snack on the flight as well. This was my first time flying on Delta and I will definitely consider flying with them again.

My flight was canceled on Sunday. Rebooking took three hours. Had to pay for accommodations another night. New flight was delayed for 5 hours, all that was sent was a 12 dollar food voucher, which doesn’t tell you how to use it. Then when we landed we had to sit on the plane for an hour before we could get off.

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 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!!

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.

Short flight so it was okay. Nice crew, all very pleasant and professional. We were near the back in row 27 so just as we got our drinks, we started our descent so had to drink very quickly!

It was perfect! I've never flown with United before, but I definitely will in the future

the entire flight felt off. The crew seemed uninterested and disengaged. The food service was really bad - overcooked, bland, weird food service. They actually woke us up to serve chicken wraps in the middle of the night, after dinner and before breakfast. Made no sense. Ultimately, I was glad they did though, because the breakfast had been held for so long it was inedible. Eggs, potatoes, sausage - all disgusting. We were asked to "honor" the lavatories for premium customers and stay in our own cabin: this was also strange. So people in economy didn't pay enough to use the closest toilet to them??? It's a toilet. All in all, not the experience I have come to expect from United Airlines. The return flight from Paris to SFO was better, btw.

They delayed the flight from 9:00 to 11:55 At 11:45 they canceled the flight. I paid a premium price for the tickets with poor service

The 777’s economy seat’s legroom was more tolerable than expected. I appreciate the reclining mechanism which slides the seat forward to minimize cannibalizing the space behind. The food was terrible: very salty.

Seats are uncomfortable. This has been a trend in the industry for decades. Trying to fit more seats on each plane to increase profits at the expense of the passenger.

Staff were good. My seat was in need of repair, but for a short flight was not problematic. Usual basic snack and drink setup that you'll find on any US carrier. Over, a decent, basic flight.

Flight delayed for more than 16 hrs and no effort was spent to provide an alternate

We had turbulence ever 1/2 hr or so and the captains announcements were SOOOO LOUD

it was a very short flight so my expectations were low.

Entertainment kept turning itself off. Gave up on watching a movie.

As a first time flyer with Turkish Airlines. My experience was very good due to the factor that there were to many passengers on the my first flight compared to my connecting flight. However, I know that nothing is perfect and all companies are trying to accommodate their passengers to the best way possible. I will always say, a FEW INCHES will go LONG WAY. That's something all airliners should consider, and not only the money aspect!!! A long time commitment is better than one time service! Thank you

Staff at the airport wasn't helpful or friendly. Probably the worst airport experience I have ever had, going and coming. The staff on the plane was better. Still not super friendly or personable. However, they were not rude like airport staff. They ran out of certain menu items. Maybe could have been prepared better? Overall just ok.

It was a pleasant experience. In flight entertainment could have been better

The desk crew at the LAX crew could do better. A girl named Mahesi was very abrasive and unfriendly. She needs a better customer service uproar.

It was peaceful excited We enjoyed it always Turkish peaceful excited

Istanbul to Lahore flight was less than standard for international business class cabins. Seat did not were not flat and it did not operate easily. I had to push buttons hard repeatedly to operate the seat. I was in 5A seat

IAH to Istanbul was outstanding across the board. The flight from Istanbul to Male was good, not great.

the cabin was kept too hot. couldn't sleep as a result

It was an amazing experience. Flight crew's service, hospitality, and the food were phenomenal. I don't think I'd want to try any other airline company after this. I would definitely recommend to friends and family. Thank you Turkish Airlines !

Business Class pods are horrible. If you're petite, you might be able to sleep on the uncomfortable seat and bed. Crew and food are fantastic.

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.

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports