Istanbul to Shenzhen (IST–SZX) — 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–SZX is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 4,956 miles in approximately 10h 23m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK Turkish Airlines | 2 | 33X | 10h06-10h40 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · SZX: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 11:00 PM in Shenzhen.
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.
Metro Line 11 (Airport Express) connects to Futian station (30 min, ¥20) and Luohu (45 min, ¥28); from Futian you can cross to Hong Kong via the Futian/Lok Ma Chau checkpoint. Trains run 6am to midnight.Taxis to the city centre cost ¥60–100. Ferries to Hong Kong run from the adjacent Fuyong Ferry Terminal (45 min, HK$300–350); a convenient alternative to land crossings. Car rentals are limited; private car hire with driver is common for business travel.
Subtropical monsoon climate. Summers (May–September) are hot and very humid (28–34°C) with heavy monsoon rainfall and frequent typhoons. Typhoon season peaks July through September and can close the airport for 12–24 hours. Thunderstorms cause delays throughout the wet season.
Winters are mild and mostly dry (10–20°C). Spring brings persistent fog and drizzle (February–April) that can disrupt morning departures. October and November are the most pleasant months.
IST–SZX Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to SZX
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines. With 2 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
IST to SZX Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to SZX is about 10 hours 23 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 4,956 miles (7,976 km). There are approximately 2 weekly flights outbound and 2 return, totaling 4 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Noi Bai, Beijing Capital and Chengdu Tianfu. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.