Flying from Istanbul to San Diego: what you need to know
Istanbul has a couple of airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to San Diego leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Hop off the plane at San Diego International Airport (SAN), the major arrival point in San Diego.
The timezone in San Diego is UTC-7, which is ten hours behind Istanbul.
To ensure you don't miss your Istanbul to San Diego flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You can expect longer lines during popular months such as April. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to San Diego
To find cheap Istanbul to San Diego flights, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer lower fares when flights are first released.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when looking for your plane ticket from Istanbul to San Diego.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Istanbul to San Diego by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a special offer becomes available.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Istanbul to San Diego flights.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even explore another city. When browsing Istanbul to San Diego flights departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Top options include:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Istanbul to San Diego? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Think about adding a stop at Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC). It's a key stopover on an Istanbul to San Diego flight out of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport. Use a long layover to explore nearby, or take advantage of a short break to browse the airport stores.
SAW is about 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take 55 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Start your holiday sooner with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Istanbul to San Diego, take it easy in one of these hotels near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76.93%. This figure sheds light on how frequently flights that take off from this airport arrive on schedule.
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
The distance from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego is roughly 3 kilometres. It'll take you around 10 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 20 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel near SAN if you have a late flight from Istanbul to San Diego. Settle into one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Follow your own route with a San Diego International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and venture far and wide through San Diego and beyond.
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from San Diego International Airport around two weeks ahead of your trip.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
Once your flight from Istanbul to San Diego has touched down, you can get to the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central San Diego is roughly 48 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the journey will take you 2 hours 15 minutes or so.
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or cab lines. Grab a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare rates and availability from Budget, Hertz and Avis.
Avoid the long lines and paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Secure your ride from CLD in advance so you can just grab the keys and go.
Best time to go to San Diego
May is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to San Diego, while July is the most popular. Find the ideal time to visit San Diego based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book an Istanbul to San Diego ticket departing in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in San Diego to range from 17ºC (63ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
February sees average temperatures of between 7ºC (45ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Look for cheap flights from Istanbul to San Diego around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Diego
Start your San Diego trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to San Diego, check out our selection of hotels including:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego are must-do's during your San Diego adventure.
Explore more of United States
You've done San Diego, now it's time to discover more of United States. Travel around 177 kilometres north-west to Los Angeles to tick off its leading sights. From Griffith Observatory to The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 483 kilometres east of San Diego, Phoenix is another favourite stop in United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park.