Cheap Flights from Istanbul to Shanghai

Compare Istanbul to Shanghai flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Shanghai

Book the best Shanghai fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Istanbul to Shanghai

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Istanbul to Shanghai? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Map with a flight path from Istanbul to Shanghai. A plane icon is halfway along the route with a label that says "Direct flight".
Direct flight

Your route at a glance

Cheapest dealR 7,876
Cheapest monthDecember
Average flight duration10 hours and 20 minutes
Most popular airlineTurkish Airlines

Find the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Shanghai

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Istanbul to Shanghai flights are currently cheapest in February.

Direct flights from Istanbul to Shanghai

Alternative Istanbul to Shanghai routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Istanbul to Shanghai? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Finding cheap flights from Istanbul to Shanghai: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Shanghai: Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong.
The best price we found for a return flight from Istanbul to Shanghai is R 7,876. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
10 hours and 20 minutes is the average flight time from Istanbul to Shanghai.
Turkish Airlines and China Eastern fly direct from Istanbul to Shanghai.
As of December 2025, there are 14 flights per week flying from Istanbul to Shanghai.
The cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Shanghai is usually December.
If you're flying from Istanbul Airport, the cheapest airport near Shanghai is Shanghai Pudong – which is 32.7 km away from the centre of Shanghai. We've found flights into this airport from R 7,876.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai on Sunday, 14 December 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 10 hours and 20 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Shanghai but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Shanghai is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In December, the average temperature is usually around 9°C. August is typically the warmest month in Shanghai, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in December. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is June.
Currently, Gulf Air and China Eastern offer the cheapest flight tickets to Shanghai.

Flying from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Shanghai: what you need to know

  • Around 12 hours is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai.

  • The timezone in Shanghai is UTC+8. The city is five hours ahead of Istanbul, where Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located.

  • Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most traveled route, with 14 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from IST to PVG is with China Eastern Airlines at 14:00. Go for the first departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 01:20 if you want to fly out earlier.

  • For stress-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your IST to Shanghai flight.

  • If you're jetting off during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.

  • Direct Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai tickets are available for booking. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is where you'll be landing.

  • Book your ticket with Turkish Airlines. This leading carrier operates direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai.

  • We make it easy to book flight tickets from IST to Shanghai with a stopover. To see all the options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:

    • Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

    • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

    • Incheon International Airport (ICN)

  • IST is around 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 45 minutes.

  • In search of a hotel near IST? If you're catching an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure lounge:

How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Shanghai

  • R 4,962 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai flight. A round-trip ticket right now is R 7,876. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.

  • Lock in cheap flights from IST to Shanghai by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the best time for finding the biggest deals.

  • The best month for finding cheap Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai tickets is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.

  • There's no need to keep looking every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an updated deal for cheap flights from IST to Shanghai.

  • Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) is roughly 14 kilometres from central Shanghai. Following your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai, it'll take you around 20 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.

  • Following your IST to Shanghai flight, settle in at a hotel near SHA. These are some great options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:

  • Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and unlock a world of freedom with your own set of wheels. Hertz is just moments from your arrival gate, ensuring a fast and easy pick-up.

  • Pick the vehicle you actually want, not just what's left, by booking your ride from SHA before your arrival. You can also avoid paying more than you need to, especially during busy airport times.

  • You can find Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

Best time to go to Shanghai

  • Carefully consider your trip dates before securing your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai. The city comes alive in peak season, but hotel rates are generally higher and major attractions can get busy. Plan your trip to Shanghai in the low season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.

  • Book an Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Shanghai flight ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 34ºC (93ºF).

  • Look for cheap tickets from IST to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC (30ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF) on average.

More about Shanghai

Explore more of China

  • Shanghai has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of China you'll want to see. Around 274 kilometres west of Shanghai, a trip to Nanjing will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like Nanjing City Wall, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Xuanwu Lake.

  • Puyang is another sought-after destination in China and is around 241 kilometres south-west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without a visit to Denggao Lansheng Building, Baozhang Yougu Scenic Area and 元宝山探险乐园.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.