Istanbul to San Francisco (IST–SFO) — 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–SFO is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 6,689 miles in approximately 13h 28m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines Also: 6E, PK | 15 | 359 | 13h-13h30 | – | Star Alliance | 6E, PK |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · SFO: PDT
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 8:00 AM in San Francisco.
Turkish passport holders need a B1/B2 visa to enter the United States. Turkey is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA is not an option. Apply through the US embassy or consulate in Turkey. The process includes an online DS-160 form, a USD 185 application fee, and an in-person interview. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location and season. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned stay.
Bring proof of ties to Turkey (employment, property, family), a travel itinerary, and evidence of funds. Approval grants a visa valid for up to 10 years with stays of up to 6 months per entry.
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.
BART from SFO station (free AirTrain from any terminal to the station) to downtown San Francisco takes 30–40 minutes ($10.45 to Embarcadero). Traffic on 101 can make taxis and ride-hails much slower during peak hours; BART skips all of that. BART also reaches Oakland, Berkeley, and Millbrae for Caltrain connections.Ride-hails from SFO use a dedicated garage pickup area; follow signs. Taxis are metered; downtown SF costs $40–60. Caltrain to the Peninsula (Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose) requires taking BART to Millbrae station for the transfer. Rental cars are at a consolidated facility accessible by AirTrain.
Coastal fog dominates the climate pattern. The thick marine layer ("Karl the Fog") rolls into SFO from the Pacific regularly in summer (June–September), causing significant low-visibility delays even on days that appear sunny inland. Morning fog burns off by afternoon most days, but persistent IFR conditions can last all day. This is the primary flight disruption risk at SFO.
Temperatures are mild year-round (10–20°C) with little seasonal variation. Winters bring rain (December–March) and occasional atmospheric river events that cause brief but intense flooding on the 101. Summers are cool. Pack a light jacket year-round. Wind off the bay affects small aircraft approach paths.
IST–SFO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to SFO
İstanbul Airport (IST) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines. With 39 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
IST to SFO Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to SFO is about 13 hours 28 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 6,689 miles (10,764 km). There are approximately 39 weekly flights outbound and 39 return, totaling 78 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Zürich, Seattle–Tacoma and Frankfurt Main. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.