Cheap Flights from San Francisco International to Istanbul

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Compare San Francisco International to Istanbul flight deals

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

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Flight deals Cheapest month Find the best route Route info FAQs Tips and advice

Flight deals from San Francisco International to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $1,429. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Istanbul.$1,327 per passenger.Departing Sun, 4 Apr, returning Sun, 11 Apr.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Sun, 4 Apr, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 11 Apr, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,327, select.

Istanbul.$1,377 per passenger.Departing Sun, 15 Nov, returning Mon, 14 Dec.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Sun, 15 Nov, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 14 Dec, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,377, select.

Istanbul.$1,378 per passenger.Departing Mon, 7 Dec, returning Mon, 21 Dec.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Mon, 7 Dec, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 21 Dec, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,378, select.

Istanbul.$1,395 per passenger.Departing Tue, 20 Apr, returning Tue, 4 May.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Tue, 20 Apr, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 4 May, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,395, select.

Istanbul.$1,403 per passenger.Departing Wed, 9 Dec, returning Wed, 13 Jan.Return flight with British Airways.Outbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from San Francisco International on Wed, 9 Dec, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from Istanbul on Wed, 13 Jan, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,403, select.

Istanbul.$1,408 per passenger.Departing Sun, 21 Mar, returning Fri, 26 Mar.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Sun, 21 Mar, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Fri, 26 Mar, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,408, select.

Istanbul.$1,410 per passenger.Departing Mon, 11 Jan, returning Tue, 20 Apr.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Mon, 11 Jan, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 20 Apr, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,410, select.

Istanbul.$1,413 per passenger.Departing Wed, 6 Jan, returning Wed, 20 Jan.Return flight with British Airways.Outbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from San Francisco International on Wed, 6 Jan, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from Istanbul on Wed, 20 Jan, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,413, select.

Istanbul.$1,414 per passenger.Departing Tue, 23 Mar, returning Tue, 6 Apr.Return flight with United and Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with United, departs from San Francisco International on Tue, 23 Mar, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 6 Apr, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,414, select.

Istanbul.$1,414 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 Feb, returning Tue, 16 Feb.Return flight with British Airways.Outbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from San Francisco International on Tue, 2 Feb, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 16 Feb, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,414, select.

Istanbul.$1,414 per passenger.Departing Mon, 25 Jan, returning Fri, 5 Feb.Return flight with British Airways.Outbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from San Francisco International on Mon, 25 Jan, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from Istanbul on Fri, 5 Feb, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,414, select.

Istanbul.$1,414 per passenger.Departing Tue, 23 Feb, returning Tue, 2 Mar.Return flight with British Airways.Outbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from San Francisco International on Tue, 23 Feb, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with British Airways, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 2 Mar, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,414, select.

Istanbul.$1,421 per passenger.Departing Sun, 15 Nov, returning Sun, 22 Nov.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Sun, 15 Nov, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 22 Nov, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,421, select.

Istanbul.$1,423 per passenger.Departing Mon, 26 Oct, returning Mon, 7 Dec.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Mon, 26 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 7 Dec, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,423, select.

Istanbul.$1,424 per passenger.Departing Wed, 14 Oct, returning Mon, 2 Nov.Return flight with Lufthansa.Outbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from San Francisco International on Wed, 14 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Lufthansa, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 2 Nov, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,424, select.

Istanbul.$1,426 per passenger.Departing Thu, 13 May, returning Thu, 27 May.Return flight with LOT.Outbound indirect flight with LOT, departs from San Francisco International on Thu, 13 May, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with LOT, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 27 May, arriving in San Francisco International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,426, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco International to Istanbul

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

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Direct flights from San Francisco International to Istanbul

San Francisco International to Istanbul: Alternative routes

Compare routes from San Francisco International to Istanbul below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Istanbul.

Istanbul Sabiha

30km from central Istanbul

Closest

from $1,623

Search flights

Istanbul

34km from central Istanbul

Cheapest

from $1,327

Search flights

San Francisco to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	$1,323
Cheapest month to fly	April
Average flight time	12 hrs, 54 mins
Most popular airline	Turkish Airlines
Average flights per week	19

Finding cheap flights from San Francisco International to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from San Francisco International to Istanbul?

The best price we found for a return flight from San Francisco International to Istanbul is $1,323. 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.

How long does it take to fly from San Francisco International to Istanbul?

12 hours and 54 minutes is the average flight time from San Francisco International to Istanbul.

Which airlines fly direct from San Francisco International to Istanbul?

Turkish Airlines, PIA and IndiGo fly direct from San Francisco International to Istanbul.

How many flights are there a week from San Francisco International to Istanbul?

As of September 2026, there are 19 flights per week flying from San Francisco International to Istanbul.

When is the cheapest time to fly from San Francisco International to Istanbul?

The cheapest month to fly from San Francisco International to Istanbul is usually April.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport on Sunday, 4 April 2027.

Can I get a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 12 hours and 54 minutes.

How can I find the best flight deal to Istanbul?

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 Istanbul 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.

When is the best time to book flights to Istanbul?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul with?

Currently, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines offer the cheapest flight tickets to Istanbul.

Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Istanbul Airport (IST): what you need to know

Jump on a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 13 hours.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is 11 hours ahead of San Francisco.
Flights from SFO to IST start at 12:40 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The latest departure is at 19:50 with Turkish Airlines. In total, there are ten weekly San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport flights.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are tried-and-true travel tips. Get to the airport on time to board your SFO to IST flight.
During popular months such as July, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during a high season in general.
Turkish Airlines is your ticket to exploring Istanbul (and maybe even some other exciting parts of Türkiye (Turkey)!). Browse the direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport offered by this popular carrier.
The airline that tops the list for bookings on this route is Turkish Airlines.
If you want to explore another city along the way, just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport. Here are the most popular stopovers between SFO and IST:
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
- Frankfurt am Main Airport
- Mumbai Airport

How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Istanbul Airport (IST)

$644 is the lowest price for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. A return flight starts from $1,323. These prices may change based on availability and demand.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from SFO to IST if you book in advance. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
Organise your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport. If you're flexible on when you fly, try out the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest airfare across every month.
Snapping up cheap flights from SFO to IST couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a new deal comes up.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport.

Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Of the departures from San Francisco International Airport, 78% land on time at their destination.
San Francisco International Airport is about 21 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Planning to catch public transport? Expect a trip time of around 35 minutes.
Catching an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near SFO:

Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)

Consider staying in a hotel close to IST if you have a late San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. Choose one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Travel at your own speed with a Istanbul Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and venture far and wide through Istanbul and beyond.
For the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Istanbul Airport about two weeks before travelling.

Getting from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul

Istanbul Airport is approximately 40 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. The drive time takes about 45 minutes.
It takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes if you're using public transport.

When to fly to Istanbul Airport (IST)

August is the busiest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport. For smaller crowds, visit Istanbul in March.
When booking your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Istanbul Airport, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with the temperature ranging from 21ºC to 30ºC.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SFO to IST in January. Temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC then.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul, Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.