Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Expect to be travelling for 13 hours 40 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Following the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is ten hours ahead of San Francisco.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most traveled route, with 12 weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from SFO to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 19:50. Choose the first departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 12:40 if you want to fly out earlier.
For hassle-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you can comfortably board your SFO to Istanbul flight.
Planning to travel during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer queues at security and check-in. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Start your journey at SFO and fly straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to land when searching for San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Keep your eyes peeled for deals with Turkish Airlines. This carrier has direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight ticket from SFO to Istanbul. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these connection hubs:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
The journey from central San Francisco to SFO takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 18 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Searching for a hotel close to SFO? If you're catching an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul, these accommodation options put the terminal practically at your doorstep:
When it comes to the on-time performance of San Francisco International Airport, data shows 77.36% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Istanbul
R 4,434 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul flight. A round-trip ticket right now is R 10,299. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares may change.
Book one month before flying. Research on pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from SFO to Istanbul.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
Save time looking for cheap flights from SFO to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Pick up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are top providers you can book with here.
Booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from SFO to Istanbul can help you get the best possible rate.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul has landed, you can make your way to the city centre in around 55 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near SAW. Unwind and get cosy after your SFO to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW can land you a better rate.
Best time to go to Istanbul
Before securing your flights from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Istanbul offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the low season means you'll get better deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
Lock in a San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket with a departure in August to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from SFO to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading sights like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
If you want to check out another major destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are among the biggest draws.
