San FranciscoIstanbul, Turkey

Flights from San Francisco to Istanbul

Nonstop flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Istanbul (IST) take about 13h 57m (10,764 km). Turkish Airlines flies it. Lowest fare seen: $702 one-way, nonstop (22 Oct 2026).

All flights from San Francisco →All flights to Istanbul →

Photo of Istanbul: Julien Goettelmann on Pexels.

When you land in Istanbul

The airport transfer and the few things worth sorting before you fly.

A Turkish Airlines aircraft flying amidst clouds over Istanbul, capturing travel's essence. — arriving in Istanbul

Airport transfer

IST → Istanbul, booked before you fly

A private driver meets you in arrivals at a price agreed when you book. Book with Welcome Pickups.

See transfer prices

A United Airlines jet soaring over the iconic San Francisco skyline. — lounges at San Francisco Airport

San Francisco Airport · 5 lounges

Before you flyAirport lounges at San Francisco →

Trains, buses and taxi faresIST to Istanbul: getting into town →Early arrival or late flightLuggage storage in Istanbul →34 drop-off points, from €3.90

Things to book in Istanbul

All 59 things to do in Istanbul →

from €60

Topkapı Palace Museum 3.6 · 445 Tiqets reviews

from €9

Istanbul Sightseeing Cruises 3.8 · 250 Tiqets reviews

from €15

The Blue Mosque 4.0 · 138 Tiqets reviews

from €15

Istanbul Whirling Dervishes Ceremonies 4.4 · 126 Tiqets reviews

Find hotels in Istanbul

Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com

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Airlines flying San Francisco to Istanbul

Carriers on SFO–IST according to our route data and nonstop fares seen as of 22 Oct 2026. Not a complete list.

✈ Turkish Airlinesnonstop fare seen

San Francisco to Istanbul fares by month

Cheapest month seen for a nonstop flight: Oct 2026, from $702 one-way. With stops: Apr 2027, from $334. Lowest one-way fares seen for departures in each month, read 22 Oct 2026.

Departing	Nonstop from	Cheaper with stops
Oct 2026	$70226 Oct 2026 · Turkish Airlines	$491 · 1 stop23 Oct 2026
Nov 2026	$7093 Nov 2026 · Turkish Airlines	$336 · 2 stops25 Nov 2026
Dec 2026	$71027 Dec 2026 · Turkish Airlines	$412 · 3 stops12 Dec 2026
Jan 2027	$74023 Jan 2027 · Turkish Airlines	$345 · 2 stops23 Jan 2027
Feb 2027	$7058 Feb 2027 · Turkish Airlines	$352 · 2 stops8 Feb 2027
Mar 2027	$7433 Mar 2027 · Turkish Airlines	$345 · 1 stop28 Mar 2027
Apr 2027	$71420 Apr 2027 · Turkish Airlines	$334 · 1 stop20 Apr 2027
May 2027	$76113 May 2027 · Turkish Airlines	$394 · 2 stops8 May 2027
Jun 2027	$13401 Jun 2027 · Turkish Airlines	$528 · 1 stop1 Jun 2027
Oct 2027	$7631 Oct 2027 · Turkish Airlines	$436 · 1 stop1 Oct 2027

When to go for the lowest fare

Fares were close across the months we saw: $336 for November 2026, $334 at best after that.

Nonstop or with a stop

A connection undercut nonstop in 10 of 10 months with both fares.

From Travelpayouts flight-search data, city to city (San Francisco to Istanbul, any airport), USD, read 22 Oct 2026. These are fares that were on sale, not a guarantee of today's price; an airline is named only where we know it flies this route.

Best time to fly to Istanbul

Based on weather and travel conditions in Turkey

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best monthsGoodAvoid if possible

Turkey is a great destination year-round. Check local weather patterns before booking and consider shoulder seasons for lower prices and fewer crowds.

More for this trip

Frequently asked questions — San Francisco to Istanbul flights

How long is the flight from San Francisco to Istanbul?

A nonstop flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Istanbul (IST) takes about 13h 57m, covering 10,764 km. That is an estimate from the distance — actual time varies with the airline, aircraft and winds, and connecting itineraries take longer.

How far is San Francisco from Istanbul by air?

The great-circle distance between San Francisco International Airport and İstanbul Airport is 10,764 km (6,688 miles), a ultra long-haul route.

Which airlines fly from San Francisco to Istanbul?

Airlines with flights or nonstop fares on the SFO–IST route include Turkish Airlines. This is not a complete list — schedules change by season, so check the current options before booking.

How much does a flight from San Francisco to Istanbul cost?

The lowest one-way fare seen recently on SFO–IST was $702 USD with Turkish Airlines (nonstop), departing 26 Oct 2026, found in fare searches as of 22 Oct 2026. Fares change constantly and depend on the date, so check the current price before booking.

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

In fares seen on 22 Oct 2026, departures in April 2027 were cheapest, from $334 one-way, against $528 for June 2027, the dearest month. Fares change daily, so check your own dates.

Is it cheaper to fly nonstop or with a stop from San Francisco to Istanbul?

In the fares we saw (22 Oct 2026), connecting was cheaper: from $334 with one stop against $702 nonstop, a saving of $368. Nonstop saves the connection time.

Do I need a visa to travel from San Francisco to Turkey?

It depends on your passport. Some nationalities can enter Turkey visa-free or get a visa on arrival; others must apply in advance. Use AirConnect's Visa Checker to see the rules for your passport.

What is the best time to visit Istanbul?

Turkey is a great destination year-round. Check local weather patterns before booking and consider shoulder seasons for lower prices and fewer crowds.

Sources: fares from Travelpayouts flight-search data, seen 22 Oct 2026; airlines from each carrier's published network and nonstop fares on sale; distance from OurAirports coordinates; flight time estimated from distance. Fares change daily.

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