Search Flights from San Diego to Istanbul

Quick Flight Summary from San Diego to Istanbul

Key numbers to know before you book

  • Lowest recent price
    $670
  • Direct flight duration 40 hour 20 min
  • Arrival airports SAW / IST
  • Best days to book Thursday, Wednesday
  • Average over the last 30 days
    $628

Cheapest flights from San Diego to Istanbul

Best Price

Lufthansa

Lufthansa
14 Oct, Wed
San Diego – Istanbul
22h 50m
1 stop
SANIST

British Airways

British Airways
1 Oct, Thu
San Diego – Istanbul
21h 55m
1 stop
SANIST

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines
15 Sep, Tue
San Diego – Istanbul
1d 16h 20m
2 stop
SANIST

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines
30 Sep, Wed
San Diego – Istanbul
22h 7m
2 stop
SANIST

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines
29 Sep, Tue
San Diego – Istanbul
1d 16h 20m
2 stop
SANIST

Lufthansa

Lufthansa
28 Sep, Mon
San Diego – Istanbul
22h 50m
1 stop
SANIST
Shortest Flight

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
29 Sep, Tue
San Diego – Istanbul
17h 25m
1 stop
SANSAW

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
1 Oct, Thu
San Diego – Istanbul
21h 20m
1 stop
SANSAW

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
28 Sep, Mon
San Diego – Istanbul
19h 40m
2 stop
SANSAW

Last update: 10 September 2026 12:49

Estimated Prices for San Diego to Istanbul Flights

Cheapest Day15 September Tuesday
Best Price
$664
Average Price
$664
$664
$664
10Thu
Sep
11Fri
12Sat
13Sun
14Mon
$664
15Tue
16Wed
17Thu
18Fri
19Sat
20Sun
21Mon
22Tue
23Wed
24Thu
25Fri
26Sat
27Sun
28Mon
29Tue
30Wed
01Thu
Oct
02Fri
03Sat
04Sun
05Mon
06Tue
07Wed
08Thu
09Fri

Key Features of the Airlines

Information compiled by AI. For the most up-to-date information, contact the airline.

Transportation to Airport from San Diego City Center

San Diego Intl. Airport

San Diego International Airport is located 5 kilometres from the city centre, which is approximately a 10-minute drive. You can choose a variety of transportation options, including the metrobus and taxi.

Taxi

Taxis are the most commonly used mode of transportation to and from the airport. You can reach your hotel, the city centre, or any other destination comfortably by using a taxi. Taxi fares for travel to nearby neighbourhoods are generally low, however, it is important to keep in mind that taxi drivers receive a tip of up to 15%.

Metrobus

The metrobus, which is commonly referred to as ‘The Flyer’, can take you to the airport from specific bus stations in the city centre. There is also sufficient luggage space available in the metrobus. This is an easy and cheap mode of transportation.  

Shuttle Services

The shuttle service is another mode of transportation for those planning to travel to the airport from the city centre. If you want to get around the problem of transportation in a comfortable way, the shuttle service is an option to consider.   

Private Vehicle

Using your private vehicle is another option. The airport is located along Interstate 5 (I-5). You can drive to the airport by taking the State Route 163 (SR 163), the Interstate 8 (I-8), the I-15, and then by following directions. You can also park your vehicle at the airport’s car park area, but do note that car park fees are charged by the number of hours, days, and months.

Airport Information

There are many ways to spend your time at San Diego International Airport. You can purchase gifts at reasonable prices for those you care about at the Duty Free Americas, Gaslamp MarketPlace, InMotion Entertainment, and other stores inside the Terminal 2 building.

You can consider eating and drinking at the likes of Urban Crave, Tommy V's Pizzeria, and Starbucks. If you have time to spare before your flight, you can take advantage and relax at the spa saloon inside the terminal building.  

Transportation to Istanbul City Center from Airport

Sabiha Gökçen Intl. Airport

You can get to the city center from the Sabiha Gökçen Airport using the TEM highway and following the exit and street signs. The airport is also accessible by city buses and Havataş shuttles. If you want to leave your car at the airport there is an outdoor parking lot and a multi-story parking lot. There are also some private parking facilities located around the airport.  

Taxi

The fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center from Sabiha Gökçen Airport is by taxi. However, when taking a taxi the most important factor to consider is the traffic. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to lose time we suggest taking a taxi to a certain point and then transferring to the metro or metrobus. This way you can avoid traffic, even during rush hour.

Havabus

The Havabus shuttle buses provide transportation between Sabiha Gökçen Airport and central locations in the city like Taksim on the European side and Kadikoy and Yenisahra on the Anatolian side. The shuttle buses provide quick and comfortable transportation to and from the airport every 30 minutes.

Marmaray

The Marmaray is a faster alternative for those living on the European side in particular. You can take a taxi or bus to the Kartal metro stop, then get on the metro and continue in the Kadıköy direction. Get off at Ayrılık Çeşmesi and transfer to the Marmaray where you can cross to the European side of the city at the Yenikapı station. From Yenikapı, which is a major station for the metro, buses, and ferries, you can reach many central locations on the European side of the city. Sea buses and ferries to various places in the Marmara Region like Bandırma, Yalova, Avşa, Bursa and Çınarcık depart from the Yenikapı İDO pier. Moreover, you can travel with your vehicle on the ferries.

Bus

You can get to the city center from Sabiha Gökçen Airport by bus.

Lines that operate between the airport and central locations in the city are as follows:  E3 - 4.Levent - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, 122H - 4.Levent - Yenişehir - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, E9 - Bostancı - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, E10 - Kadıköy - Kurtköy - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, E11 - Kadıköy - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, E18 - Altunizade - Ümraniye - Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, 16S - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport - Metrobus Uzuncayır, KM20 - Pendik YHT - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, KM22 - Cevizli - Kartal Metro - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, 132H Pendik YHT - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, and 122H - 4.Levent - Yenişehir - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

By getting off at the Kadiköy or Bostanci piers you can take a boat to Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands, like Buyukada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kinaliada.

Metro

From the airport you can take a bus or taxi to the Kartal metro station and get on the Kadikoy-Kaynarca line in the Kadikoy direction.

Rental Cars

You can get to the city center by renting a car from various rental agencies at the airport. You can also return your rental vehicle to rental agencies located in the city. If you are traveling between multiple places make sure to specify your vehicle pick up and drop off location when making your reservation. 


Istanbul Airport

You can get to the city center from Atatürk Airport, located on the European side of Istanbul, by taxi, airport shuttles, metro, bus, private transportation services or your personal car. The most important factor to consider when picking your means of transportation to reach the city center is the traffic. Using alternative means of transportation, like a combination of taxi, metro or metrobus, during rush hour will save time.

Taxi

The fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center from Atatürk Airport is by taxi. However, when taking a taxi the most important factor to consider is the traffic. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to lose time we suggest taking a taxi to a certain point and then transferring to the metro or metrobus. This way you can avoid traffic, even during rush hour. Some taxis accept credit card payments. If you want to pay using your credit card make sure to indicate this before hand to the driver and get in a vehicle that accepts credit card payments.

Havabus

The Havabus shuttle buses provide transportation between Atatürk Airport and central locations in the city. The Havatas shuttles provide service to and from Taksim and Yenikapi IDO Pier every 30 minutes.

Bus

You can use public buses to get to the city center from Atatürk Airport. Using the istanbulkart (smart card for fare payment), this is the most economical alternative. From the airport you can use the TH-1 bus to get to Taksim and the YH-1 bus to get to Yenikapi. From Taksim and Yenikapi you can transfer to the metro to reach other central districts.   

Metro

One of the fastest alternatives to get to the city center is by metro. Using the metro station that is located in the airport you can easily reach various parts of the city like Yenikapı, Aksaray, Fatih, Topkapı, and Esenler. If you’re planning on continuing your journey to a different city by bus, the metro goes to the Esenler Bus Station.  

Rental Cars

You can get to the city center by renting a car from rental agencies such as AVIS, Budget, or Europcar both at the airport or various locations in the city like Beşiktaş, Taksim, Kadıköy, Bostancı and Bakırköy. You can also return your rental vehicle to the offices of the aforementioned companies located in the city. If you are traveling between multiple places make sure to specify your vehicle pick up and drop off location when making your reservation.  

Istanbul Weather

5-Day Forecast • Min / Max Temperature

Today
Thursday
10 Sep
Clear
25°20°
Friday
11 Sep
Clear
25°20°
Saturday
12 Sep
Cloudy
25°18°
Sunday
13 Sep
Cloudy
25°18°
Monday
14 Sep
Rain
24°19°

Alternative Flights San Diego Istanbul

Flights with Alternative Departure Locations San Diego Istanbul

Frequently Asked Questions

When you search for San Diego-Istanbul flights, Wingie directly gathers and compares instant data from all airlines. You can see all San Diego-Istanbul flights together for the date you are looking for and choose the most suitable flight.
For San Diego-Istanbul flights, you can use San Diego Intl. Airport, McClellan Palomar Airport, Marine Corps Miramar Airport, NAS North Island Airport as departure airport, and Sabiha Gökçen Intl. Airport, Istanbul Airport for arrival.
The flight distance between San Diego-Istanbul is 11091 kilometers in total. The flight between the two cities takes 13 hour 50 minutes.
When the average prices are examined, the most suitable day for San Diego-Istanbul flights is Monday.
On this route, low-cost airlines typically offer fares that include only cabin and hand baggage. Full-service airlines may include baggage and refreshment fees in the base price. The best option varies according to baggage needs. Based on current data, the lowest fare on this route with Lufthansa starts from approximately $451.
AirlinePriceStandard inclusions
Alaska Airlines
$664
1 piece cabin baggage / 1 piece X 23 kg checked baggage / Penalty-Free Change (up to 48 hours) / No Refund / Complimentary Refreshments
Lufthansa
$451
1 piece cabin baggage / Complimentary Refreshments
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
$706
1 piece cabin baggage / Penalty-Free Change (up to 48 hours)

Last update: 08.09.2026

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