Cheap Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Istanbul (ISL)

Popular airlines from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (ISL)

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Alternative airports near Istanbul

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Istanbul Airport IST. Cheapest option available. Average driving time to city center is 35 minutes. Flights from $954
IST
Istanbul Airport
Cheapest
Average driving time to city center35 min
Flights from $954
Select flight to Sabiha Gokcen Intl. SAW. Average driving time to city center is 34 minutes. Flights from $1,630
SAW
Sabiha Gokcen Intl.
Average driving time to city center34 min
Flights from $1,630
Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Istanbul (ISL)
Origin airport
San Francisco Intl.
Destination airport
Ataturk Intl.
Distance
6709 mi

San Francisco to Istanbul Flights

The cheapest times to fly from San Francisco to Istanbul

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from San Francisco to Istanbul are during the month of . You can find some of the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Istanbul with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from San Francisco to Istanbul

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from San Francisco to Istanbul: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from San Francisco to Istanbul

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from San Francisco to Istanbul in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap San Francisco to Istanbul flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your San Francisco to Istanbul airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from SFO to ISL by entering your preferred travel dates and searching on Expedia. Easily compare prices by departure date if you have flexibility with your schedule and use handy filters to explore prices for your preferred journey. As a member of One Key™, our free loyalty program, you can use Price Tracking to watch fares and receive notifications if prices go up or down.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SFO to ISL?
The cheapest flights from SFO to ISL are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST)?
When heading out of San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO), you can board a direct flight to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST) with Turkish Airlines.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SFO to ISL?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that'll take you from SFO to ISL. Sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST)?
On average, just 1 direct flight departs daily from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST). Seeking more options? Use our filters to discover flights with layovers and add a new stop to your trip.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST)?
Flights between SFO and ISL are their busiest at 6 PM. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere and potentially cheaper fares, look for a departure outside the usual busy windows.
What day of the week has the most flights from SFO to ISL?
Saturday has the most flights from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST). Consider traveling on this day and you'll have the best chance of finding a departure that fits your schedule.
What is the earliest flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST)?
The earliest flight departing from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) is at around 1:10PM UTC-8. Board this plane and you'll land at Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST) at approximately 1:25PM UTC+3. The entire trip takes 13h 15m.
How long does it take to fly from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST)?
It takes around 13 hours and 10 minutes to travel the 6,700 mi from SFO to ISL.
What is the best time to fly from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST)?
To arrive at Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST) on time, book a flight that leaves San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Istanbul from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
If you've booked a direct flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Istanbul, Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST) is the only airport you can land at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST) last-minute?
Last-minute bookings from SFO to ISL are usually more expensive. For the cheapest rates, start looking for flights ahead of time. That being said, if you're flexible with your travel plans, it's possible to score a cheap ticket right before your journey.
Is it cheaper to book a SFO to ISL flight and hotel package?
You'll generally save money by securing a SFO to ISL flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's easy to manage everything in one place. Once you've chosen your preferred accommodations and flights, consider adding extras including activities, car rentals and tours.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) to Ataturk Intl. Airport (IST)?
Typically, it's possible to cancel or reschedule your SFO to ISL flight. However, if the booking was made more than 24 hours ago, additional charges may apply. Refer to your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are possible and if any costs are involved. You'll also find more details on our Customer Service portal.

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Istanbul nearby Airports

Istanbul

San Francisco to Istanbul
$765.41
San Francisco to Sabiha Gokcen Intl.
$856.81
*Available to One Key members.