Chengdu (Jianyang) to Istanbul (TFU–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.
TFU–IST is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Sichuan Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 4,177 miles in approximately 9h 55m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3U Sichuan Airlines Also: CZ, TK | 7 | 332 | 9h55 | – | – | CZ, TK |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Istanbul from Chengdu (Jianyang)
| Metric | TFU→IST | CTU→IST |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from TFU | – | 34 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 21 | 4 |
| Flight time | 9h 55m | 10h 15m |
Travel Essentials
TFU: CST · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Chengdu (Jianyang), it's 1:00 PM in Istanbul.
Chinese passport holders enter Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, effective January 2, 2026. No advance authorization is required. Passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of stay. Work, study, and media assignments still require separate Turkish permits or long-stay visas.
Metro Line 18 is the fastest and cheapest way out. The express service skips intermediate stops and reaches TFU from Chengdu South Railway Station in 35 minutes (CNY 10). The all-stop service takes 50 minutes for the same fare. From Tianfu Square, expect a transfer and a total of about CNY 30. Trains run from 6:00 to 23:00.
Airport buses cover five routes including Chunxi Road (Line 1), Jinsha Bus Hub (Line 2), and Chengdu East Railway Station (Line 4). Day fare is a flat CNY 15; night service (23:30 to 6:00) costs CNY 25. Lines 1, 2, and 3 run 24 hours. Taxis from Tianfu Square cost CNY 180-260 during the day and take 45-60 minutes via the expressway. DiDi ride-hail runs CNY 90-130 from pickup lanes on the east side of the arrivals hall.
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.
TFU–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from TFU to IST
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from Sichuan Airlines. With 21 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
TFU to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from TFU to IST is about 9 hours 55 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 4,177 miles (6,722 km). There are approximately 21 weekly flights outbound and 14 return, totaling 35 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Ürümqi Tianshan, Manas and Hamad. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Chengdu (Shuangliu) (CTU).