Flying from San Diego to Istanbul: what you need to know
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is San Diego's main airport. Explore your options for booking a flight from San Diego to Istanbul departing from here.
When planning your arrival in Istanbul, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the major entry points.
Istanbul is ten hours ahead of San Diego and observes the UTC+3 timezone.
To ensure you make it on your San Diego to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Peak months like July or high seasons such as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year will mean longer waits at check-in and security. Play it safe and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of an international departure is a wise idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Istanbul
Booking early is often the key to locking in a cheap San Diego to Istanbul flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from San Diego to Istanbul across every month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from San Diego to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a new low fare is offered.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Or sort your San Diego to Istanbul flight results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and maybe even explore a different city. When browsing San Diego to Istanbul flights leaving from San Diego International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Travelling from central San Diego to SAN takes around 20 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 3 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Need a convenient hotel close to San Diego International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from San Diego to Istanbul, these accommodation options will put you moments from your check-in counter:
71.38% of flights that depart San Diego International Airport land at their destination on time.
The address for SAN is N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport will take you around 1 hour 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from San Diego to Istanbul. Stay at one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Explore without limits with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and chase adventure across Istanbul and beyond.
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks in advance of your trip.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is approximately 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from San Diego to Istanbul has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 55 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some comfortable places to lay your head close to SAW. Tuck yourself in after your San Diego to Istanbul flight at any of these perfectly located options:
Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent make collecting a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Booking your ride four weeks before your arrival at SAW will save you money.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to figure out your dates for your flight from San Diego to Istanbul. April is the busiest month for a trip to Istanbul. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your San Diego to Istanbul ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from San Diego to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from San Diego to Istanbul, check out our selection of hotels including:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be explored. About 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the move. Check out popular attractions like Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another favourite destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without seeing Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.