Flying from Istanbul Airport (IST) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
Around 13 hours 40 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
San Francisco's timezone is UTC-8, making San Francisco 11 hours behind Istanbul.
Flights from IST to SFO start from 07:10 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The last departure is at 13:50 with Turkish Airlines. In total, you can take your pick of ten weekly Istanbul Airport to San Francisco International Airport flights.
Leave plenty of time to catch your IST to SFO flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak month such as August? Public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Turkish Airlines is your gateway to discovering San Francisco (and perhaps some other exciting corners of the United States!). Browse the direct flights from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco International Airport offered by this airline.
The airline with the highest passenger demand on this route is Turkish Airlines.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or perhaps see a new city along the way. Here are some options between IST and SFO:
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport
Hong Kong Intl Airport
Vancouver International Airport
Handy information about Istanbul Airport (IST)
To reach Istanbul Airport from central Istanbul, it takes around 45 minutes if you're going by car. This depends on traffic though. It's approximately 40 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
The journey when using public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel near IST? If you've booked an early flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco International Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a Istanbul Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SFO instead:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz to explore San Francisco and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle from San Francisco International Airport around one week ahead of your departure.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to central San Francisco has a drive time of about 25 minutes. It's approximately 21 kilometres away.
Travelling by public transport takes about 35 minutes.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The quietest month for a flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco International Airport is March, while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to visit San Francisco based on whether you prefer a more fast-paced or easygoing experience.
When reserving your flight from Istanbul Airport to San Francisco International Airport, consider the kind of weather you like. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC to 24ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from IST to SFO in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 5ºC and 16ºC on average.
Explore more of the United States
San Jose is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be explored after you've experienced San Francisco. Around 64 kilometres away to the south-east, its top attractions include Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley.
Fresno is another sought-after destination in the United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco. No journey is complete without seeing Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo.



