Traveling from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Planning your getaway starts with figuring out where you'll fly out of in San Diego. San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for reserving a flight from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) departing from here.
Istanbul is 10 hours ahead of San Diego. Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located in Istanbul, which operates on the UTC+3 timezone.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your flight from San Diego to IST.
Flying during a peak month like July? Busy periods (like summer, Christmas and New Year) can easily add another hour at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
We make it a piece of cake to book a flight from San Diego to IST that includes a stopover. To see all your options departing from San Diego International Airport (SAN), uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Popular stopovers between SAN and IST include:
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
SAN is around 5 kilometers from the center of San Diego. To work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This useful travel app will give you the fastest route and available public transport options.
Catching an early flight from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels near San Diego International Airport:
About Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
If you're coming in on a late flight from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these options near IST:
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
From Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Istanbul is approximately 48 kilometers away. It takes around 50 minutes to get to the center driving.
Traveling on public transport takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Book a one-way ticket from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport from AED 1,329 or travel return from just AED 2,759. Prices are accurate at the time of listing and may change based on availability when you book.
To find cheap tickets from San Diego to IST, book early. Airlines generally offer lower fares when flights are first made available.
Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare the prices of tickets from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport across the month. We've made the lowest fares green, so you can quickly pick a flight that fits your budget.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flight tickets from San Diego to IST. There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll update you as soon as there's a change in price.
Customize your journey with filters. Choose the number of stops, total duration, and arrival and departure times to find the ideal flight from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. You can also sort the results to see the 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' options first.
The best time to fly from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
August is the most popular month for flights from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. To escape the crowds, travel to Istanbul in February when it's quieter.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from San Diego to IST in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are popular attractions which should be on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Complete your Istanbul trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Istanbul and see the sights on your own terms. Easily compare rates from trusted rental companies in one place after booking your hotel and cheap flights from San Diego to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.