San Francisco to Istanbul (SFO–IST) — 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.
SFO–IST is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Turkish Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 6,689 miles in approximately 12h 53m. 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 | 12h50-12h55 | Star Alliance | 6E, PK |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
On-Time Performance
Travel Essentials
SFO: PDT · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in San Francisco, it's 4:00 AM (next day) in Istanbul.
US passport holders need an eVisa to enter Turkey. Apply at evisa.gov.tr. The single-entry eVisa costs $51.50, allows stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and is approved instantly in most cases. Passport must be valid for at least 5 months beyond the date of entry. Print the eVisa or save it on your phone. At Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen (SAW), Antalya (AYT), or any Turkish airport, show your eVisa at the immigration counter.
Turkey spans Europe and Asia, with Istanbul straddling the Bosphorus. Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and hot air balloon flights, the travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and the Turquoise Coast (Antalya to Fethiye) are the main destinations beyond Istanbul. Turkish Airlines' hub at IST connects to 340+ destinations, making Istanbul a natural stopover on routes between Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Direct flights from New York JFK to Istanbul run about 10 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines and Delta. Chicago, Washington Dulles, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Boston also have nonstop service on Turkish Airlines. Turkey uses the Turkish lira (TRY), trading at roughly 36 TRY per $1. Card payments work widely. The Istanbulkart works on Istanbul's metro, tram, bus, ferry, and funicular at TRY 17.71 ($0.49) per ride with free transfers within 2 hours. Istanbul Airport's Havaist bus reaches Taksim in about 90 minutes for TRY 180 ($5). Restaurant meals cost TRY 200 to TRY 500 ($5.55 to $13.90). A full Turkish breakfast (kahvalti) at a neighborhood lokanta runs TRY 150 to TRY 300 ($4.15 to $8.30).
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) runs from downtown San Francisco (Embarcadero, Powell St.) to the SFO station and then a free AirTrain shuttle to all terminals (30–40 min from Embarcadero, $10.45). BART also connects Oakland and Berkeley; useful for East Bay travelers. Trains run from ~4am to midnight.Taxis from downtown San Francisco cost $40–60. Ride-hails (Uber, Lyft) pick up in the designated area in the garage and are often $30–50 depending on surge pricing. SamTrans buses serve Peninsula cities. Highway 101 and I-280 are heavily congested during commute hours; BART is faster than driving at those times.
M11 Metro to Gayrettepe takes about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart) with connections to M2 (Taksim) and M7. Runs from 5am to midnight. The metro bypasses O-7 motorway traffic, which is frequently heavy into the city.Havaist buses serve major destinations including Taksim, Kadıköy (European and Asian sides), and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (₺50–80). Taxis from arrivals are metered; insist on the meter. Journey to Sultanahmet or Taksim costs ₺400–700 depending on traffic. Rental cars available. Hotel shuttles common for business hotels near the city.
The new airport sits 35km from central Istanbul on the European side, slightly inland and exposed to Black Sea weather systems. Winters (December–March) are cold (0–8°C) with fog, rain, and occasional snow. Snow on the exposed plateau is more likely than in the city. Ice on taxiways causes delays.
Summers are warm (25–32°C) with dry, reliable weather. Spring and fall bring heavy rain and strong northerly winds (Poyraz) that can affect smaller aircraft. Fog is the primary low-season disruption risk. The airport's elevated position makes it slightly windier than the Atatürk site it replaced.
SFO–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SFO to IST
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from Turkish Airlines. With 39 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
SFO to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SFO to IST is about 12 hours 53 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 Denver, Frankfurt Main and Warsaw Chopin. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.