Search Flights from San Francisco to Istanbul

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

Shortest Flight

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
28 Oct, Wed
San Francisco – Istanbul
15h 45m
1 stop
SFO–IST

Air France

Air France
1 Dec, Tue
San Francisco – Istanbul
15h 45m
1 stop
SFO–IST

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
9 Nov, Mon
San Francisco – Istanbul
15h 45m
1 stop
SFO–IST

Air France

Air France
11 Nov, Wed
San Francisco – Istanbul
15h 45m
1 stop
SFO–IST

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
25 Nov, Wed
San Francisco – Istanbul
15h 45m
1 stop
SFO–IST

Lufthansa

Lufthansa
6 Dec, Sun
San Francisco – Istanbul
21h
1 stop
SFO–IST

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
8 Nov, Sun
San Francisco – Istanbul
20h 35m
1 stop
SFO–SAW

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
9 Nov, Mon
San Francisco – Istanbul
20h 35m
1 stop
SFO–SAW

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
1 Dec, Tue
San Francisco – Istanbul
23h 30m
1 stop
SFO–SAW

Last update: 21 October 2026 23:43

Estimated Prices for San Francisco to Istanbul Flights

Cheapest Day28 October Wednesday
Best Price
$598
Average Price
$640
$741
$598
$648
22Thu
Oct
$655
23Fri
$656
24Sat
$638
26Mon
$638
27Tue
$598
28Wed
$708
29Thu
$622
01Sun
Nov
$638
02Mon
$638
03Tue
$649
05Thu
$605
08Sun
$598
09Mon
$598
11Wed
$686
13Fri
$646
14Sat
$741
19Thu
$605
23Mon
$598
25Wed
$655
26Thu
$636
29Sun
$638
30Mon
$598
01Tue
Dec
$696
04Fri
$604
06Sun

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.
Havabus
  • 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.
Bus
  • 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.
Marmaray
  • 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.
Taxi
  • You can take a taxi from the airport to anywhere in the city.
  • Bridge and tunnel tolls are paid by the passenger.
Car Rental
  • 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.
Transfer
  • 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.
Metro
  • 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
  • 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.
Taxi
  • 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.
Car Rental
  • 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.
Transfer
  • 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

5-Day Forecast • Min / Max Temperature

Today
Thursday
22 Oct
Fog
21°11°
Friday
23 Oct
Rain
19°14°
Saturday
24 Oct
Fog
16°10°
Sunday
25 Oct
Cloudy
17°10°
Monday
26 Oct
Cloudy
17°14°

Flights with Alternative Departure Locations San Francisco Istanbul

Frequently Asked Questions

When you search for San Francisco-Istanbul flights, Wingie directly gathers and compares instant data from all airlines. You can see all San Francisco-Istanbul flights together for the date you are looking for and choose the most suitable flight.
For San Francisco-Istanbul flights, you can use Embarkader Airport, San Francisco Intl. Airport as departure airport, and Sabiha Gökçen Intl. Airport, Istanbul Airport for arrival.
The flight distance between San Francisco-Istanbul is 10767 kilometers in total. The flight between the two cities takes 13 hour 20 minutes.
When the average prices are examined, the most suitable day for San Francisco-Istanbul flights is Tuesday.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, British Airways organizes direct flights between San Francisco-Istanbul.
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 $370.
AirlinePriceStandard inclusions
Air France
$570
Penalty-Free Change (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece cabin baggage / 1 piece checked baggage
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
$570
Penalty-Free Change (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece cabin baggage / 1 piece checked baggage
Air Canada
$566
No changes allowed / No Refund / 1 piece X 8 kg cabin baggage / Complimentary Refreshments
British Airways
$679
Paid Change (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece cabin baggage / Complimentary Refreshments
United Airlines
$601
—
Lufthansa
$370
Paid Change (up to 48 hours) / 1 piece cabin baggage / Complimentary Refreshments

Last update: 08.10.2026

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