What is the cheapest airline that flies from California to Istanbul?

Lufthansa, KLM, and United Airlines are the most popular carriers operating from California to Istanbul

How long does it take to fly to Istanbul?

On average, it takes 12h 10m to fly from California to Istanbul if you fly out of Los Angeles (the most popular airport in California) and into Istanbul Airport (the most popular airport in Istanbul). If you’re flying out of San Francisco and into Istanbul Airport, then the flight time is around 12h 50m.

How many flights depart from California to Istanbul on average per week?

110 flights are operational weekly from California to Istanbul as of July 2026. The most popular departure day for this route is Mon, with 15% of flights per week taking off on this day.

How many flights depart from California to Istanbul on average per day?

As of July 2026, there are 15 flights per day flying from California to Istanbul. The most common time of day flights depart is 8:00PM, with 53% of flights taking off in the evening.

What airlines fly to Istanbul?

Turkish Airlines, KLM and Lufthansa are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Istanbul from California according to our data. Turkish Airlines is the first choice among our users, with 80% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to Istanbul. Keep in mind that there are 17 different airlines that fly to Istanbul on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to Istanbul?

Prices for flights from California to Istanbul are refreshed on a daily basis.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to Istanbul?

As of July 2026, there are 17 operators available to choose from for flights from California to Istanbul.

How old do you have to be to fly from California to Istanbul?

The minimum age a child must be to fly alone is five but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service will have their own age restrictions, including rules around flight length, timings, and stopovers. We always recommend checking with the individual airline you are booking with to travel from California to Istanbul.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Istanbul?

The required travel and health documents for your Istanbul trip may vary depending on your itinerary and personal circumstances. As a general rule, you should carry multiple documents, including a national ID card or driver's license and a passport valid for six months after your intended arrival at Istanbul. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

$409 Cheap Flights from California to Istanbul in 2026

Discover deals from 900+ travel sites with momondo.

Find the cheapest flights from California to Istanbul

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Direct

Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

1:05 pm - 3:05 am

SMF

IST

27h 00m

2 stops

4:45 am - 3:21 pm

IST

SMF

45h 36m

2 stops

$879Lufthansa

Wed, Nov 4 - Mon, Nov 16

10:17 am - 3:05 am

SMF

IST

30h 48m

2 stops

4:45 am - 11:43 pm

IST

SMF

29h 58m

2 stops

$889Lufthansa

Wed, Oct 28 - Tue, Nov 10

6:40 am - 3:40 am

SJC

IST

35h 00m

2 stops

4:30 am - 10:45 pm

IST

SJC

28h 15m

2 stops

$891Scandinavian Airlines

Fri, Sep 4 - Fri, Sep 25

9:00 am - 10:45 pm

ONT

IST

26h 45m

2 stops

6:30 am - 9:50 pm

IST

ONT

26h 20m

2 stops

$910United Airlines

Wed, Nov 18 - Wed, Nov 25

11:00 am - 10:45 pm

SMF

IST

24h 45m

3 stops

6:30 am - 11:43 pm

IST

SMF

28h 13m

2 stops

$912United Airlines

Wed, Nov 4 - Thu, Nov 12

10:44 am - 2:05 am

LAS

IST

29h 21m

2 stops

7:20 pm - 6:50 pm

IST

LAS

34h 30m

2 stops

$924Multiple Airlines

Wed, Oct 21 - Sat, Jan 30

6:17 am - 12:15 pm

SJC

IST

43h 58m

2 stops

8:05 pm - 6:45 pm

IST

SJC

32h 40m

2 stops

$927Multiple Airlines

Fri, Sep 4 - Fri, Sep 25

11:32 am - 3:40 am

SJC

IST

30h 08m

2 stops

4:30 am - 6:58 pm

IST

SJC

24h 28m

2 stops

$937Scandinavian Airlines

Sat, Sep 19 - Tue, Oct 6

11:48 am - 4:20 pm

SAN

IST

18h 32m

2 stops

6:00 am - 11:50 am

IST

SAN

15h 50m

1 stop

$948KLM

Sun, Aug 23 - Tue, Sep 8

6:20 am - 4:55 pm

ONT

IST

23h 35m

2 stops

5:55 pm - 6:18 pm

IST

ONT

35h 23m

2 stops

$957KLM

Sun, Nov 1 - Sun, Nov 15

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KLM flights from California to Istanbul

Our best KLM deals on California to Istanbul flight tickets

KLM

Aug 23

SAN11:48 amSan Diego

18h 32m

2 stops

IST4:20 pmIstanbul

Sep 8

IST6:00 amIstanbul

15h 50m

1 stop

SAN11:50 amSan Diego

$948

KLM

Nov 1

ONT6:20 amOntario

23h 35m

2 stops

IST4:55 pmIstanbul

Nov 15

IST5:55 pmIstanbul

35h 23m

2 stops

ONT6:18 pmOntario

$957

KLM

Nov 19

SAN10:00 amSan Diego

19h 55m

2 stops

IST4:55 pmIstanbul

Nov 23

IST5:55 pmIstanbul

29h 15m

1 stop

SAN12:10 pmSan Diego

$980

United Airlines flights from California to Istanbul

Our best United Airlines deals on California to Istanbul flight tickets

United Airlines

Nov 18

ONT9:00 amOntario

26h 45m

2 stops

IST10:45 pmIstanbul

Nov 25

IST6:30 amIstanbul

26h 20m

2 stops

ONT9:50 pmOntario

$910

United Airlines

Nov 4

SMF11:00 amSacramento Intl

24h 45m

3 stops

IST10:45 pmIstanbul

Nov 13

IST6:30 amIstanbul

28h 13m

2 stops

SMF11:43 pmSacramento Intl

$912

United Airlines

Nov 19

ONT5:00 amOntario

26h 10m

2 stops

IST6:10 pmIstanbul

Nov 27

IST6:30 amIstanbul

24h 36m

2 stops

ONT8:06 pmOntario

$960

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

SacramentoIstanbul

SMF - IST

SMFIST

Sacramento Intl

Wed 11/4

1:05 pm-3:05 am

2 stops27h 00m

Istanbul

Mon 11/16

4:45 am-3:21 pm

2 stops45h 36m

$879

SacramentoIstanbul

SMF - IST

SMFIST

Sacramento Intl

Wed 10/28

10:17 am-3:05 am

2 stops30h 48m

Istanbul

Tue 11/10

4:45 am-11:43 pm

2 stops29h 58m

$889

San JoseIstanbul

SJC - IST

SJCIST

San Jose

Fri 9/4

6:40 am-3:40 am

2 stops35h 00m

Istanbul

Fri 9/25

4:30 am-10:45 pm

2 stops28h 15m

$891

OntarioIstanbul

ONT - IST

ONTIST

Ontario

Wed 11/18

9:00 am-10:45 pm

2 stops26h 45m

Istanbul

Wed 11/25

6:30 am-9:50 pm

2 stops26h 20m

$910

SacramentoIstanbul

SMF - IST

SMFIST

Sacramento Intl

Wed 11/4

11:00 am-10:45 pm

3 stops24h 45m

Istanbul

Thu 11/12

6:30 am-11:43 pm

2 stops28h 13m

$912

Las VegasIstanbul

LAS - IST

LASIST

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Wed 10/21

10:44 am-2:05 am

2 stops29h 21m

Istanbul

Sat 1/30

7:20 pm-6:50 pm

2 stops34h 30m

$924

San JoseIstanbul

SJC - IST

SJCIST

San Jose

Fri 9/4

6:17 am-12:15 pm

2 stops43h 58m

Istanbul

Fri 9/25

8:05 pm-6:45 pm

2 stops32h 40m

$927

San JoseIstanbul

SJC - IST

SJCIST

San Jose

Sat 9/19

11:32 am-3:40 am

2 stops30h 08m

Istanbul

Tue 10/6

4:30 am-6:58 pm

2 stops24h 28m

$937

Quickest round-trip

San DiegoIstanbul

SAN - IST

SANIST

San Diego

Sun 8/23

11:48 am-4:20 pm

2 stops18h 32m

Istanbul

Tue 9/8

6:00 am-11:50 am

1 stop15h 50m

$948

OntarioIstanbul

ONT - IST

ONTIST

Ontario

Sun 11/1

6:20 am-4:55 pm

2 stops23h 35m

Istanbul

Sun 11/15

5:55 pm-6:18 pm

2 stops35h 23m

$957

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from California to Istanbul

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Other information

What is the cheapest month to fly to Istanbul?

In general, April is the cheapest month to fly from California to Istanbul. Due to it being the ‘off-season’ during this time, you can expect flight prices to be around $732. If you aren’t able to travel to Istanbul during the month of April, then flying in March is also cheap. Prices for this month can be found on momondo for an average of $738.

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Istanbul?

The cheapest day to depart from California to Istanbul is on a Tuesday when prices can be found for as low as $889. Be sure to avoid booking your departure on a Friday as prices are generally higher than usual. According to our data, the average ticket price to Istanbul on Friday is $1,014.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Istanbul?

Our most recent data shows that the best time of day to fly to Istanbul is in the afternoon. Flights from California to Istanbul during this time can be as low as $885. If you have a flexible travel schedule, then try to avoid flying in the morning when prices are $1,216 on average. Flights to Istanbul from California in the morning are generally more expensive because this time of day is more convenient for travelers’ schedules.

What is the cheapest California to Istanbul flight route?

Fly from San Francisco to Istanbul for the best California - Istanbul flight prices

How far in advance should I book a flight from California to Istanbul?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Istanbul from California when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Istanbul for around $978 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Istanbul from California for as low as $850 on momondo.

What cabin class options are available on California to Istanbul flights?

There are 3 cabin classes available to choose from on California to Istanbul flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

Cheap California to Istanbul flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from California to Istanbul

Fastest flight time	12h 10m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Istanbul	2 airports

The fastest flight from California to Istanbul takes 12h 10m

Direct flights go from California to Istanbul every day.

There are 2 airports in Istanbul. From California there are direct flights to Istanbul (IST).

Search flight deals

Frequently asked questions about flying from California to Istanbul

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to Istanbul?
Prices for flights from California to Istanbul are refreshed on a daily basis.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to Istanbul?
As of July 2026, there are 17 operators available to choose from for flights from California to Istanbul.
How old do you have to be to fly from California to Istanbul?
The minimum age a child must be to fly alone is five but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service will have their own age restrictions, including rules around flight length, timings, and stopovers. We always recommend checking with the individual airline you are booking with to travel from California to Istanbul.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Istanbul?
The required travel and health documents for your Istanbul trip may vary depending on your itinerary and personal circumstances. As a general rule, you should carry multiple documents, including a national ID card or driver's license and a passport valid for six months after your intended arrival at Istanbul. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

Best airlines flying from California to Istanbul

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from California to Istanbul with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Delta	PriceFrom $365	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 8,452 reviews	Search Delta flights
LOT	PriceFrom $508	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.5 1,210 reviews	Search LOT flights
Lufthansa	PriceFrom $515	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.8 8,109 reviews	Search Lufthansa flights
Qatar Airways	PriceFrom $526	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.3 3,738 reviews	Search Qatar Airways flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $530	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.1 11,765 reviews	Search American Airlines flights
British Airways	PriceFrom $532	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.7 8,089 reviews	Search British Airways flights
Air Canada	PriceFrom $553	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.1 11,278 reviews	Search Air Canada flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $560	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 9,906 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
KLM	PriceFrom $594	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 1,531 reviews	Search KLM flights
Egyptair	PriceFrom $602	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.6 431 reviews	Search Egyptair flights

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from California to Istanbul?

Finding the right flight to Istanbul from California is quick and easy when you have a range of options in front of you, from reputable agents and recognisable airlines. Options that can then be filtered down to find the best fit. That is what momondo does. We make finding flights to Istanbul quick and easy, saving you time and money.

Can I find flights from California to Istanbul with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Yes. momondo allows you to filter the results for California to Istanbul flights to just show those with flexible booking policies.

How can momondo help me find flights from California to Istanbul?

Once you have performed a search for California to Istanbul flights, momondo helps you find the right one by offering useful filters to narrow down your flight selection. Flights can be filtered by multiple factors such as airline, airport and price; but also by other criteria like aircraft type and payment method.

I’m not ready to book a flight from California to Istanbul right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

Yes momondo offers price alerts on flights to Istanbul from California. After performing a search on this page you should be able to see the price alert set up feature. Simply provide a valid email address and momondo will instantly alert you when prices change.

An easier way to manage your Istanbul trip

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Cheap flights from California to Istanbul from $409

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from California to Istanbul departing on 11/17. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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KLM flights from California to Istanbul

Our best KLM deals on California to Istanbul flight tickets

United Airlines flights from California to Istanbul

Our best United Airlines deals on California to Istanbul flight tickets

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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from California to Istanbul

What is the cheapest month to fly to Istanbul?

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Istanbul?

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Istanbul?

What is the cheapest California to Istanbul flight route?

How far in advance should I book a flight from California to Istanbul?

What cabin class options are available on California to Istanbul flights?

What is the cheapest airline that flies from California to Istanbul?

What airlines fly to Istanbul?

How many flights depart from California to Istanbul on average per day?

How many flights depart from California to Istanbul on average per week?

How long does it take to fly to Istanbul?

Cheap California to Istanbul flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from California to Istanbul

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in Istanbul

Frequently asked questions about flying from California to Istanbul

Best airlines flying from California to Istanbul

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from California to Istanbul with momondo

Why use momondo?

An easier way to manage your Istanbul trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

Find better results for your trip to Turkey

Fly into one of these airports located in Istanbul

Airports listed have a maximum distance of 20.9 mi from Istanbul

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