KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Quick Flight Summary from San Francisco to Istanbul
- Lowest recent price $598
- Direct flight duration 15 hour 45 min
- Arrival airports SAW / IST
- Best days to book Wednesday, Sunday
- Average over the last 30 days $592
Cheapest flights from San Francisco to Istanbul
Air France
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Air France
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Lufthansa
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Last update: 21 October 2026 23:43
Estimated Prices for San Francisco 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 San Francisco City Center
San Francisco Intl. Airport
Located 21 km from the city center, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California, following Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Every year SFO handles a significant number of both domestic and international flights. There are a variety of transportation alternatives passengers can utilize to get to and from the airport.
San Francisco International Airport stands out for the comfortable and exceptional services it offers. The airport features services aimed at meeting your every need, from comfortable passenger lounges, to restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and a vibrant array of stores where you can go shopping.
San Francisco International Airport is accessible by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car as the airport contains parking lots that offer short-term and long-term parking options.
Train
There are two rail systems that you can use to get to San Francisco International Airport from the city center. The first is the rapid-rail system, the BART. The BART starts running in the early hours of the morning, providing easy and fast transportation between SFO and the northern and southern parts of the city.
The other rail system that you can use to get to SFO is the CalTrain. This train departs on the hour, every hour, every day of the week, until 10 pm. This train provides transportation between San Francisco and San Jose and SFO.
Taxi
One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to SFO from the city center is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.
Bus
SamTrans buses provide transportation between the San Francisco city center and the airport. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Mateo, various parts of San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 run directly to the airport terminals. Buses stop at the arrivals and baggage claim level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and at Level 1 of the International Terminal.
Rental Car
Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the airport. There are many rental car companies located in the city. You can drop off your rental vehicle at the Rental Car Center before your departure. From the Rental Car Center the AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the airport terminals and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget, Fox and Thrifty.
Bike
San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who want to access the airport by bike. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes. Bike lovers can easily access the airport by bicycle.
Airport Information
San Francisco International Airport is located 21 km from the city center. The airport covers an expansive area and operates domestic and international flights out of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. The AirTrain automated system provides free transportation between each terminal, as well as the Rental Car Center and BART station. The AirTrain Red Line links all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station. The AirTrain Blue Line links the Rental Car Center with all terminals, terminal garages, and the BART Station. SFO also contains a variety of services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs.
The airport features health services in the terminals, rental car offices, banks, a lost and found, wireless internet, charging stations, clothing stores where you can go shopping, restaurants and cafes, the Aviation Museum & Library, rotating exhibitions, spa services, children’s play areas, free yoga rooms, a market, and much 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 of the city, in the Arnavutköy district. You can get from the airport to the city center by bus, Havaist shuttle, metro, taxi, rental car, or private transfer.
Bus- H-1, H-2, H-3, H-6, and H-8 buses run from Istanbul Airport to various parts of the city, including Mecidiyeköy, Mahmutbey, Sultangazi, Sarıyer, and Halkalı.
- Travel times are approximately 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. Journey times may vary depending on traffic.
- You can buy bus tickets at the ticket booths or machines at the airport platforms, or online.
- The M11 Gayrettepe – Istanbul Airport metro line connects the airport to the city center.
- The metro provides direct access to Arnavutköy, İhsaniye, Göktürk, Kemerburgaz, Hasdal, Kağıthane, and Gayrettepe.
- At Gayrettepe station, you can transfer to the Metrobus, city buses, and the M1 Hacıosman – Yenikapı metro line.
- The metro operates from 06:00 to 00:00.
- The journey takes about 45 minutes on average.
- Havaist shuttle services run to Aksaray, Esenler Bus Terminal, Arnavutköy, Halkalı–Başakşehir, Silivri–Çatalca, Beylikdüzü, Avcılar–Bahçeşehir, Bakırköy, Kadıköy, Taksim, and Sabiha Gökçen Airport.
- You can pay for Havaist online, at the ticket booths on the platforms, or by card on board. Some Havaist buses also accept Istanbul Kart.
- Fares vary depending on the route.
- Orange, turquoise, and black taxis serve the route between Istanbul Airport and the city center.
- Fixed fares apply to certain destinations in the city center.
- Bridge crossings, bus terminal exit fees, and toll roads are paid by the passenger.
- You can rent a car from companies at the airport, including Avec, Sixt, Hertz, Rent Go, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, Garenta, and many more, and drive to the city center.
- If you book before arriving, you can pick up your car directly without waiting in line.
- With a rental car, you can easily reach the city center as well as Istanbul's historical and natural attractions, such as the Historic Peninsula, Taksim, Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Florya, Polonezköy, Çatalca, and Şile.
- A private transfer service offers a luxurious and comfortable ride from the airport to destinations across Istanbul.
- We recommend booking your transfer at least 24 hours in advance.
Istanbul Weather
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| Airline | Price | Standard inclusions |
|---|---|---|
$570 | Penalty-Free Change (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece cabin baggage / 1 piece checked baggage | |
$570 | Penalty-Free Change (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece cabin baggage / 1 piece checked baggage | |
$566 | No changes allowed / No Refund / 1 piece X 8 kg cabin baggage / Complimentary Refreshments | |
$679 | Paid Change (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece cabin baggage / Complimentary Refreshments | |
$601 | — | |
$370 | Paid Change (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece cabin baggage / Complimentary Refreshments |
Last update: 08.10.2026
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