Istanbul to Beijing (IST–PEK) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
IST–PEK is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Air China and Turkish Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 4,387 miles in approximately 8h 39m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA Air China | 14 | 332, 77W | 8h55-9h20 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| TK Turkish Airlines | 14 | 77W, 789 | 8h08-8h23 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · PEK: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 11:00 PM in Beijing.
Turkish passport holders need a visa to enter China. Apply at the Chinese Embassy in Ankara or the Consulate General in Istanbul. The tourist visa (L visa) costs $25 for a single entry (30 days), $50 for a double entry, or $75 for a 6-month multiple entry. Required documents include the visa application form, a recent photo, flight bookings, hotel reservations, and a detailed travel itinerary. Processing takes 4 to 7 working days. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least 2 blank pages.
China offers transit without visa (TWOV) for 144 hours (6 days) at major airports including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and others if you hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. This is useful for Turkish travelers connecting through China en route to East Asia or Oceania. Registration at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival is required for all stays, though hotels handle this automatically for their guests.
Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Beijing (PEK) run about 9 hours on Turkish Airlines and Air China. Istanbul to Shanghai (PVG) runs about 10 hours on Turkish Airlines and China Eastern. China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY), trading at roughly 0.20 CNY per TRY 1. Mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) dominate in China but foreign visitors can now link international Visa or Mastercard to Alipay for payments. ATMs at Bank of China and ICBC accept international cards. The Beijing Subway costs CNY 3 to CNY 10 per ride (TRY 15 to TRY 50).
Istanbul Metro M11 Gayrettepe–İstanbul Havalimanı line connects the airport to the broader metro network; from Gayrettepe (Mecidiyeköy/Levent area) the journey is about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart). The line runs roughly 5am to midnight.Havaist express buses serve Taksim, Kadıköy, and other major hubs (₺50–80, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis use a meter; expect ₺400–600 from Taksim or Sultanahmet. The airport is 35km northwest of the city; traffic on the O-7 motorway can be severe during peak hours.
Airport Express to Dongzhimen takes 16 minutes (¥25) and connects to Metro Lines 2 and 13 for central Beijing. Running 6am to 11pm from T2 and T3. It bypasses road congestion regardless of traffic conditions.Taxis use the meter; central Beijing runs ¥80–120 from the airport. Didi ride-hailing is available and widely used. Airport express buses (¥25–30) serve multiple city zones. T3 (international hub) and T2 are connected by a free inter-terminal bus if not airside. Note: Beijing has two airports; Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX) are not connected by convenient transport.
Humid continental climate with cold, dry winters (−8 to 2°C) and hot summers (28–35°C). The primary flight disruption risks are winter fog and smog (November–February, heavily air quality-dependent), summer thunderstorms (July–August), and spring sandstorms from the Gobi Desert (March–May) that can reduce visibility rapidly.
Fall (September–October) brings clear skies and minimal disruptions. The 2022 Winter Olympics improved Beijing's snowfall preparedness. Fog and smog remain serious delay causes through winter.
IST–PEK Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to PEK
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) are connected by nonstop service from Air China and Turkish Airlines. With 28 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IST to PEK Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to PEK is about 8 hours 39 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 4,387 miles (7,060 km). There are approximately 28 weekly flights outbound and 33 return, totaling 61 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Ürümqi Tianshan, Ashgabat and Warsaw Chopin. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.