Istanbul to Shanghai (Pudong) (IST–PVG) — 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–PVG is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines and China Eastern Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 4,985 miles in approximately 10h 15m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines | 18 | 77W, 77X, 789 | 9h31-12h35 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| MU China Eastern Airlines | 6 | 333 | 10h15 | – | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · PVG: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 11:00 PM in Shanghai (Pudong).
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.
Maglev to Longyang Road (8 min, ¥50) is a fast exit; transfer to Metro Line 2 onward. Metro Line 2 runs directly from PVG T1/T2 to People's Square and Hongqiao Airport (1.5–2 hrs, ¥7). Taxis have a meter; expect ¥130–200 to Puxi (west side) depending on destination and traffic tunnels used.Airport buses serve multiple city zones (¥22–36, 60–90 min). DiDi ride-hail is available and typically cheaper than street taxis for longer distances.
Humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are hot and oppressively humid (28–37°C) with typhoon risk. Storms can cause flight cancellations with little warning. Winters (December–February) are cold and damp (1–8°C) with occasional frost. Dense fog disrupts departures regularly in January–February.
Spring is rainy and mild. Autumn (October–November) is the most settled period. Clear skies and 12–22°C make it the best window for travel. Pack layers for shoulder seasons. An umbrella is useful year-round.
IST–PVG Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to PVG
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. With 24 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
IST to PVG Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to PVG is about 10 hours 15 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 4,985 miles (8,022 km). There are approximately 24 weekly flights outbound and 29 return, totaling 53 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Beijing Capital, Tashkent and Almaty. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.