Travelling from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is ten hours ahead of San Diego, where San Diego International Airport is located.
To avoid missing your SAN to Istanbul flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself even more breathing space. A good rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and possibly even tick a new city off your list. When browsing for flight tickets from SAN to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Located around 3 kilometres from the centre of San Diego, SAN can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport takes roughly 20 minutes.
Want an easy start to your trip? Stay near SAN. Whether you're taking an early flight from San Diego International Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
When it comes to San Diego International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 71.38% of flights complete their journey on time.
SAN is located at N Harbour Dr.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Istanbul
R 5,030 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way San Diego International Airport to Istanbul flight. A return ticket right now is R 9,950. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares can change.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from SAN to Istanbul if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird rates.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from San Diego International Airport to Istanbul across every month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's an even better deal on cheap flights from SAN to Istanbul.
Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from San Diego International Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to the centre of Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 48 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from San Diego International Airport to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Pick up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and discover Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are well-known companies you can book with here.
Booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks before your flight from SAN to Istanbul can help you lock in the lowest rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Following your flight from San Diego International Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some comfortable places to drop your things at near SAW. Settle in and get cosy after your SAN to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make picking up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before scheduling your flights from San Diego International Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Istanbul offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, while the low season means you'll get better deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your San Diego International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from SAN to Istanbul around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Istanbul right here. Browse these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from San Diego International Airport to Istanbul:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are highlights which should be on any good Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without a visit to Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.
