China Southern Airlines
Quick Flight Summary from Shanghai to Istanbul
Key numbers to know before you book
- Lowest recent price $270
- Direct flight duration 15 hour 15 min
- Arrival airports SAW / IST
- Best days to book Monday, Wednesday
- Average over the last 30 days $323
Cheapest flights from Shanghai to Istanbul
China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
Airasia X
Airasia X
Airasia X
Airasia X
Last update: 08 October 2026 22:58
Estimated Prices for Shanghai to Istanbul Flights
Key Features of the Airlines
Information compiled by AI. For the most up-to-date information, contact the airline.
Transportation to Airport from Shanghai City Center
Shanghai Hongqiao Intl. Airport
Hongqiao International Airport is located 13 km from the city center, in the Changning district. The airport is the city’s main domestic airport, serving few international flights.
Rail
The Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station connects directly to Terminal 2 at the airport. There are 2 major lines that run through the airport station, connecting the city with the airport in a very convenient way. Passengers who want to get to the airport from the city center by train need to take Line 2 or Line 10, which take about 19 to 22 minutes to get to the airport.
Bus
Buses are not a preferred method of transportation due to the heavy traffic in the city. However there are various bus lines that provide transportation to the airport from the city center. Bus line 941 runs from Shanghai Railway Station, among other stops, to Terminal 2. Bus line 316 is a night bus providing transportation to the airport.
Taxi
Taxis are not the most preferred method of transportation to get to the airport from the city center due to the heavy traffic in the city. Nevertheless, you can easily find a taxi in the city’s commerce, arts, culture, and residential areas. Despite being located in close proximity to the city center, taking a cab to the airport can take 30 minutes because of traffic.
Car
To get from the city center or trade center to the airport by car you have to take the Yan’an Road, which is a major road that goes through the center of the city, to the G50 Expressway. This will connect to the Hongyu Road, which connects to the airport. There are 3 different parking lots at the airport that have a combined capacity of 800 vehicles.
Airport Information
Located 13 km from the city center, Hongqiao International Airport was the first civilian airport in the city. However today the airport mainly serves domestic flights. The airport consists of two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; the second terminal was built in 2010 to support the Shanghai Expo. There are free shuttle buses that provide inter-terminal transportation. The airport contains many restaurants and shops that cater to the Asian demographic. There are also world-famous restaurant chains as well as a large duty free shop and event spaces located at the airport.
Shanghai Pudong Intl. Airport
Pudong Airport
Located 30 km from the city center, Pudong International Airport is the city’s main international airport. The airport is located in the Pudong district and is an important international hub for Air China.
Rail
To get to the airport from the city center or People’s Square, you have to take Metro Line 2. You can get on the metro at the Nanjing Road East Station and take it to Longyang Station. At this station transfer to the Maglev Train, which provides direct access to the airport. You have to purchase a ticket for both the maglev train and the metro you will be transferring to. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the airport from the city center.
Airport Bus
Bus line “Airport 5” departs from the main train station in the city and provides transportation to the airport. However since the traffic in the city is generally very congested the arrival time can vary. Most passengers don’t want to take that risk so airport buses aren’t a very popular transportation alternative. It can take over 2 hours to get to the airport using this bus.
Taxi
English is not widely spoken in the city so we recommend you have the name of your destination written down in Chinese or use a map to point out where you want to go. You can also have the hotel staff help arrange a taxi for you. A taxi from many parts of the city to the airport takes around 45-50 minutes. For taxi rides that are over 10 km the taximeter charges 3.6 Chinese yuan per kilometer.
Car
Driving is a troublesome transportation alternative since traffic in the city is bad and the roads are constantly changing. However to get to the airport from the city center you have to take the North-South expressway, pass the Huangpu River, and connect to the Huaxia expressway. Following this road will connect you directly to the airport. The airport contains a parking lot with a capacity of 4,500 vehicles. Parking is free for the first 20 minutes.
Airport Information
Pudong International Airport is the city’s main international airport, handing 51 million passengers a year. The airport features a rich variety of services and amenities, serving passengers out of two main terminals. The airport contains ATMs belonging to all major international banks, restaurants that offer delicious international cuisine as well as Asian cuisine, a large duty free shop and more.
Transportation to Istanbul City Center from Airport
Sabiha Gökçen Intl. Airport
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located in Pendik, on the Anatolian Side of Istanbul. From the airport, you can get to the city center by metro, municipal bus, Havabus, public transport with a Marmaray transfer, taxi, car rental, or transfer service.
Metro- The airport is the terminus of the M4 Kadıköy–Sabiha Gökçen Airport metro line. The line takes about 50 minutes to get from the airport to Kadıköy.
- You can transfer to Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi station and to the Metrobus at Ünalan station.
- Timetables and weekend night services vary according to the current IBB (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) schedule. For up-to-date information, you can check Metro Istanbul's announcements.
- You board the metro with an Istanbulkart. To buy a card, you can use the ticket machines at the stations.
- With Havabus services, you can reach Taksim and Kadıköy without transfers.
- The Taksim line follows the Kavacık and Zincirlikuyu route. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
- The Kadıköy line also stops at Yenisahra. The journey to Kadıköy takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic.
- For current timetables and fares, you can check Havabus's official website.
- E10: Kadıköy via Kurtköy
- E3: 4. Levent Metro (European Side)
- 16S: Uzunçayır Metrobus
- MR60: Pendik YHT (Marmaray)
- Routes and schedules may change. For up-to-date information, you can check the official IETT website or mobile app.
- With Marmaray, you can reach many parts of the city by transferring.
- You can take the MR60 bus to Pendik YHT station and transfer to Marmaray.
- You can also take the M4 metro to Ayrılık Çeşmesi station and switch to Marmaray.
- You can take a taxi from the airport to anywhere in the city.
- Bridge and tunnel tolls are paid by the passenger.
- There are offices of international and local car rental companies at the airport.
- If you make a reservation in advance, you can pick up your car without waiting in line.
- You can travel comfortably from the airport to different parts of the city with a private transfer service.
- It is recommended to book your transfer at least one day in advance.
Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport is located on the European Side. From the airport, which is in the Arnavutköy district, you can get to the city center by bus, Havaist, metro, taxi, car rental, or transfer service.
Bus- From Istanbul Airport, you can reach different parts of the city center, such as Mecidiyeköy, Mahmutbey, Sultangazi, Sarıyer, and Halkalı, on the H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, and H-8 buses.
- The journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes to Mecidiyeköy, 1 hour 45 minutes to Halkalı, 1 hour 30 minutes to Mahmutbey, 1 hour 25 minutes to Sultangazi, and 1 hour 50 minutes to Sarıyer. Travel times may vary depending on traffic conditions.
- You can buy bus tickets at the ticket booths or machines on the airport platforms, or online.
- You can get from the airport to the city center on the M11 Gayrettepe - Istanbul Airport metro line.
- The metro provides direct access to the Arnavutköy, İhsaniye, Göktürk, Kemerburgaz, Hasdal, Kağıthane, and Gayrettepe areas of the city center.
- After getting off at Gayrettepe station, you can also transfer to the metrobus, buses, and the M1 Hacıosman - Yenikapı metro line.
- The metro operates between 06:00 and 00:00.
- The journey takes about 45 minutes on average.
- Havaist services take you to Aksaray, Esenler Bus Terminal, Arnavutköy, Halkalı-Başakşehir, Silivri - Çatalca, Beylikdüzü, Avcılar - Bahçeşehir, Bakırköy, Kadıköy, Taksim, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- You can pay the Havaist fare online, at the ticket booths on the platforms, or by card on the bus. Istanbulkart is accepted on some Havaist buses.
- The Havaist fare varies depending on the route you take.
- Orange, turquoise, and black taxis run from Istanbul Airport to the city center.
- A fixed fare applies from the airport to certain points in the city center.
- Bridge crossings, bus terminal exit fees, and toll roads are paid by the passenger.
- You can rent a car from Avec, Sixt, Hertz, Rent Go, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Garenta, and many other companies at the airport and drive to the city center.
- If you make a reservation before
Istanbul Weather
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| Airline | Price | Standard inclusions |
|---|---|---|
$281 | Paid Change (up to 48 hours) / Partial Refund (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece X 8 kg cabin baggage / 1 piece X 23 kg checked baggage | |
$325 | Paid Change (up to 48 hours) / Partial Refund (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece X 6 kg cabin baggage / 1 piece X 25 kg checked baggage / Complimentary Refreshments | |
$244 | — | |
$322 | — | |
$347 | — | |
$335 | Paid Change (up to 48 hours) / No Refund / 1 piece X 8 kg cabin baggage / 1 piece X 23 kg checked baggage | |
$328 | Paid Change (less than 48 hours) • Paid Change (up to 48 hours) / No Refund / 1 piece X 5 kg cabin baggage / 1 piece X 23 kg checked baggage | |
$305 | No changes allowed / No Refund / 1 piece X 10 kg cabin baggage |
Last update: 07.10.2026


