What airlines fly to Istanbul Airport?

Turkish Airlines, KLM and Lufthansa are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Istanbul Airport from California according to our data. Turkish Airlines is the first choice among our users, with 79% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to Istanbul Airport. Keep in mind that there are 17 different airlines that fly to Istanbul Airport on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

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

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

How long does it take to fly to Istanbul Airport?

Flight times vary depending on what airport in California you fly out of and what airport in Istanbul Airport you fly into. For example, flying from San Francisco to Istanbul Airport takes 12h 10m on average. On the other hand, flying from Los Angeles to Istanbul Airport takes 12h 25m on average. Keep in mind that it’s always quicker to opt for a non-stop flight, so be sure to check momondo if there are any available for your route.

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

11 flights are operational daily from California to Istanbul Airport as of August 2026. The most popular departure time for this route is 8:00PM, with 62% of flights per day taking off in the evening.

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

As of August 2026, there are 77 flights per week flying from California to Istanbul Airport. The most common day of the week flights depart is Fri, with 18% of flights taking off on this day.

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

Prices for flights from California to Istanbul Airport are updated daily.

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

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

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

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 Airport.

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

The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to Istanbul Airport may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at Istanbul Airport. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.

$368 Cheap Flights from California to Istanbul Airport 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.

4:05 pm - 2:50 amSMF Sacramento Intl-IST Istanbul

47h 45m2 stops Vancouver Intl Munich Franz Josef Strauss

4:30 am - 11:44 pmIST Istanbul-SMF Sacramento Intl

30h 14m2 stops Munich Franz Josef Strauss San Francisco

$789Multiple Airlines

Sat, Nov 14 - Wed, Nov 18

8:50 am - 2:50 amSMF Sacramento Intl-IST Istanbul

31h 00m2 stops Denver Intl Munich Franz Josef Strauss

6:30 am - 6:27 pmIST Istanbul-SMF Sacramento Intl

22h 57m2 stops Frankfurt am Main Chicago O'Hare Intl

$794Lufthansa

Mon, Dec 7 - Thu, Dec 17

2:15 pm - 2:50 amSMF Sacramento Intl-IST Istanbul

25h 35m2 stops San Francisco Munich Franz Josef Strauss

4:30 am - 8:36 pmIST Istanbul-SMF Sacramento Intl

27h 06m2 stops Munich Franz Josef Strauss Los Angeles

$794Lufthansa

Wed, Nov 4 - Tue, Nov 10

12:02 pm - 1:00 amSJC San Jose-IST Istanbul

25h 58m2 stops Dallas/Fort Worth London Heathrow

7:35 am - 10:48 pmIST Istanbul-SJC San Jose

26h 13m2 stops London Heathrow Dallas/Fort Worth

$806British Airways

Tue, Nov 10 - Wed, Nov 18

12:35 pm - 6:10 pmSNA Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty-IST Istanbul

42h 35m2 stops Vancouver Intl Frankfurt am Main

6:30 am - 11:45 amIST Istanbul-SNA Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

40h 15m2 stops Frankfurt am Main Vancouver Intl

$816Air Canada

Sun, Jan 31 - Thu, Feb 4

7:00 am - 6:10 pmSMF Sacramento Intl-IST Istanbul

24h 10m2 stops Chicago O'Hare Intl Frankfurt am Main

6:30 am - 11:28 pmIST Istanbul-SMF Sacramento Intl

27h 58m2 stops Frankfurt am Main San Francisco

$828United Airlines

Sun, Jan 31 - Tue, Feb 2

6:30 am - 6:10 pmSJC San Jose-IST Istanbul

24h 40m2 stops Chicago O'Hare Intl Frankfurt am Main

6:30 am - 10:36 pmIST Istanbul-SJC San Jose

27h 06m2 stops Frankfurt am Main Chicago O'Hare Intl

$829United Airlines

Sun, Jan 31 - Tue, Feb 2

5:05 am - 6:10 pmSMF Sacramento Intl-IST Istanbul

26h 05m2 stops Denver Intl Frankfurt am Main

4:30 am - 9:02 pmIST Istanbul-SMF Sacramento Intl

27h 32m2 stops Munich Franz Josef Strauss Los Angeles

$830Multiple Airlines

Mon, Jan 4 - Tue, Jan 12

8:55 pm - 1:35 pmLAS Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl-IST Istanbul

29h 40m1 stop London Heathrow

7:35 am - 6:50 pmIST Istanbul-LAS Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

22h 15m1 stop London Heathrow

$840British Airways

Tue, Nov 24 - Sat, Dec 5

9:00 am - 6:10 pmSFO San Francisco-IST Istanbul

22h 10m2 stops Vancouver Intl Frankfurt am Main

6:30 am - 10:57 pmIST Istanbul-SFO San Francisco

27h 27m2 stops Frankfurt am Main Vancouver Intl

$909Air Canada

Thu, Nov 12 - Tue, Dec 1

Cheap last minute flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

10:40 pm - 1:05 pmSFO San Francisco-IST Istanbul

28h 25m1 stop Warsaw Frederic Chopin

9:25 pm - 8:40 pmIST Istanbul-SFO San Francisco

57h 15m2 stops Gdansk Rebiechowo Warsaw Frederic Chopin

$910LOT

Wed, Aug 12 - Mon, Sep 28

3:55 pm - 1:05 pmSFO San Francisco-IST Istanbul

35h 10m1 stop Warsaw Frederic Chopin

9:25 pm - 2:00 pmIST Istanbul-SFO San Francisco

50h 35m2 stops Gdansk Rebiechowo Warsaw Frederic Chopin

$910LOT

Thu, Aug 13 - Fri, Oct 2

2:40 pm - 9:15 pmSFO San Francisco-IST Istanbul

20h 35m1 stop Frankfurt am Main

5:50 pm - 7:45 pmIST Istanbul-SFO San Francisco

35h 55m1 stop Frankfurt am Main

$911Lufthansa

Tue, Aug 11 - Tue, Aug 25

9:05 pm - 2:05 amSFO San Francisco-IST Istanbul

19h 00m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss

5:50 pm - 7:45 pmIST Istanbul-SFO San Francisco

35h 55m1 stop Frankfurt am Main

$913Lufthansa

Tue, Aug 11 - Tue, Aug 25

4:20 pm - 6:20 amLAX Los Angeles-IST Istanbul

28h 00m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

8:05 pm - 2:00 pmIST Istanbul-LAX Los Angeles

27h 55m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

$968Qatar Airways

Sun, Aug 9 - Fri, Sep 11

6:45 pm - 9:35 pmLAX Los Angeles-IST Istanbul

40h 50m3 stops San Francisco Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl Frankfurt am Main

6:30 am - 11:00 pmIST Istanbul-LAX Los Angeles

27h 30m2 stops Frankfurt am Main San Francisco

$969United Airlines

Sat, Aug 8 - Tue, Nov 3

4:20 pm - 6:35 pmLAX Los Angeles-IST Istanbul

40h 15m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

8:05 pm - 2:00 pmIST Istanbul-LAX Los Angeles

27h 55m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl

$970Qatar Airways

Tue, Aug 11 - Mon, Sep 14

3:55 pm - 1:05 pmSFO San Francisco-IST Istanbul

35h 10m1 stop Warsaw Frederic Chopin

5:30 pm - 8:40 amIST Istanbul-SFO San Francisco

49h 10m2 stops Warsaw Frederic Chopin Los Angeles

$971Multiple Airlines

Sun, Aug 9 - Mon, Sep 14

9:01 am - 4:55 pmONT Ontario-IST Istanbul

21h 54m2 stops San Francisco Frankfurt am Main

1:55 pm - 6:11 pmIST Istanbul-ONT Ontario

38h 16m2 stops Frankfurt am Main San Francisco

$976United Airlines

Wed, Aug 12 - Wed, Aug 26

3:55 pm - 11:50 pmSFO San Francisco-IST Istanbul

21h 55m1 stop Warsaw Frederic Chopin

8:05 pm - 3:30 pmIST Istanbul-SFO San Francisco

29h 25m2 stops London Heathrow Los Angeles

$976Multiple Airlines

Thu, Aug 13 - Thu, Oct 1

Save money when you book flights with momondo

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Egyptair flights from California to Istanbul Airport

Our best Egyptair deals on California to Istanbul Airport flight tickets

Egyptair

Aug 10

LAX5:25 pmLos Angeles

23h 25m

1 stop

IST2:50 amIstanbul

Sep 2

IST6:35 pmIstanbul

28h 45m

1 stop

LAX1:20 pmLos Angeles

$1,007

Egyptair

Aug 22

LAX5:25 pmLos Angeles

38h 10m

1 stop

IST5:35 pmIstanbul

Aug 28

IST6:50 pmIstanbul

28h 30m

1 stop

LAX1:20 pmLos Angeles

$1,008

Lufthansa flights from California to Istanbul Airport

Our best Lufthansa deals on California to Istanbul Airport flight tickets

Lufthansa

Nov 4

SMF2:15 pmSacramento Intl

25h 35m

2 stops

IST2:50 amIstanbul

Nov 10

IST4:30 amIstanbul

27h 06m

2 stops

SMF8:36 pmSacramento Intl

$794

Lufthansa

Nov 4

SMF12:01 pmSacramento Intl

27h 49m

2 stops

IST2:50 amIstanbul

Nov 16

IST4:30 amIstanbul

45h 51m

2 stops

SMF3:21 pmSacramento Intl

$796

Lufthansa

Nov 4

SMF12:01 pmSacramento Intl

27h 49m

2 stops

IST2:50 amIstanbul

Nov 16

IST4:30 amIstanbul

45h 51m

2 stops

SMF3:21 pmSacramento Intl

$797

momondo Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from California to Istanbul Airport that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

SacramentoIstanbul

SMF Sacramento Intl - IST Istanbul

SMFIST

Sacramento Intl

Sat 11/14

4:05 pm-2:50 am

2 stops47h 45m

Istanbul

Wed 11/18

4:30 am-11:44 pm

2 stops30h 14m

$789

SacramentoIstanbul

SMF Sacramento Intl - IST Istanbul

SMFIST

Sacramento Intl

Mon 12/7

8:50 am-2:50 am

2 stops31h 00m

Istanbul

Thu 12/17

6:30 am-6:27 pm

2 stops22h 57m

$794

SacramentoIstanbul

SMF Sacramento Intl - IST Istanbul

SMFIST

Sacramento Intl

Wed 11/4

2:15 pm-2:50 am

2 stops25h 35m

Istanbul

Tue 11/10

4:30 am-8:36 pm

2 stops27h 06m

$794

San JoseIstanbul

SJC San Jose - IST Istanbul

SJCIST

San Jose

Tue 11/10

12:02 pm-1:00 am

2 stops25h 58m

Istanbul

Wed 11/18

7:35 am-10:48 pm

2 stops26h 13m

$806

Santa AnaIstanbul

SNA Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty - IST Istanbul

SNAIST

Santa Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Sun 1/31

12:35 pm-6:10 pm

2 stops42h 35m

Istanbul

Thu 2/4

6:30 am-11:45 am

2 stops40h 15m

$816

SacramentoIstanbul

SMF Sacramento Intl - IST Istanbul

SMFIST

Sacramento Intl

Sun 1/31

7:00 am-6:10 pm

2 stops24h 10m

Istanbul

Tue 2/2

6:30 am-11:28 pm

2 stops27h 58m

$828

San JoseIstanbul

SJC San Jose - IST Istanbul

SJCIST

San Jose

Sun 1/31

6:30 am-6:10 pm

2 stops24h 40m

Istanbul

Tue 2/2

6:30 am-10:36 pm

2 stops27h 06m

$829

SacramentoIstanbul

SMF Sacramento Intl - IST Istanbul

SMFIST

Sacramento Intl

Mon 1/4

5:05 am-6:10 pm

2 stops26h 05m

Istanbul

Tue 1/12

4:30 am-9:02 pm

2 stops27h 32m

$830

Las VegasIstanbul

LAS Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl - IST Istanbul

LASIST

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

Tue 11/24

8:55 pm-1:35 pm

1 stop29h 40m

Istanbul

Sat 12/5

7:35 am-6:50 pm

1 stop22h 15m

$840

Quickest round-trip

San FranciscoIstanbul

SFO San Francisco - IST Istanbul

SFOIST

San Francisco

Thu 11/12

9:00 am-6:10 pm

2 stops22h 10m

Istanbul

Tue 12/1

6:30 am-10:57 pm

2 stops27h 27m

$909

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 Airport

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 Airport?

In general, February is the cheapest month to fly from California to Istanbul Airport. Due to it being the ‘off-season’ during this time, you can expect flight prices to be around $744. If you don’t want to visit Istanbul Airport in February, then you should wait until January to fly from California, when ticket prices are also cheap, with an average price of $759.

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

Our data shows that Tuesday is the least expensive day to fly to Istanbul Airport. Tickets to fly out on this day can be as low as $932. On the other hand, Saturday is the most expensive day to depart from California because it is more convenient for both business and leisure travelers. As a result, prices tend to be around $1,019.

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

In the afternoon is the cheapest time of day to fly from California to Istanbul Airport when you can find flight prices for as low as $922. Flying to Istanbul Airport in the afternoon is an ideal time because this is during off-peak travel hours. Flights in the morning are often more expensive with an average ticket price of $1,072.

What is the cheapest California to Istanbul flight route?

Fly from Los Angeles to Istanbul for the best California - Istanbul flight prices

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

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Istanbul Airport from California when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Istanbul Airport for around $990 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Istanbul Airport from California for as low as $838 on momondo.

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

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

Can stopping save me money on California to Istanbul Airport flights?

You could potentially save up to 15% on your flight if you consider stops on a California to Istanbul Airport flight.

Cheap California to Istanbul Airport flight deals and tips

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

Best Price Found	$554
Fastest flight time	12h 10m
Direct flights	Every day

The best one-way flight to Istanbul Airport from California in the past 72 hours is $554. The best round-trip flight deal from California to Istanbul Airport found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $927.

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

Direct flights go from California to Istanbul Airport every day.

Search flight deals

Frequently asked questions about flying from California to Istanbul Airport

When did momondo last update prices for flights from California to Istanbul Airport?
Prices for flights from California to Istanbul Airport are updated daily.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from California to Istanbul Airport?
As of August 2026, there are 17 operators available to choose from for flights from California to Istanbul Airport.
How old do you have to be to fly from California to Istanbul Airport?
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 Airport.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Istanbul Airport?
The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to Istanbul Airport may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at Istanbul Airport. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.
What is the most popular plane model from California to Istanbul Airport?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked plane model on the route from California to Istanbul Airport is Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, representing 28.59% of all bookings. The subsequent popular models are Boeing 777-300ER at 27.05%, Airbus A350-900 at 21.96%, and Boeing 777 at 4.98%.

Best airlines flying from California to Istanbul Airport

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

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Delta	PriceFrom $365	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.8 8,504 reviews	Search Delta flights
LOT	PriceFrom $508	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.6 1,213 reviews	Search LOT flights
Lufthansa	PriceFrom $518	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.8 8,177 reviews	Search Lufthansa flights
Qatar Airways	PriceFrom $526	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 3,739 reviews	Search Qatar Airways flights
British Airways	PriceFrom $529	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.7 8,153 reviews	Search British Airways flights
American Airlines	PriceFrom $530	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.1 11,888 reviews	Search American Airlines flights
Air Canada	PriceFrom $553	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.1 11,452 reviews	Search Air Canada flights
United Airlines	PriceFrom $560	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 10,086 reviews	Search United Airlines flights
Egyptair	PriceFrom $602	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.5 444 reviews	Search Egyptair flights
Scandinavian Airlines	PriceFrom $608	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.4 1,932 reviews	Search Scandinavian Airlines flights

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

momondo collates all your flight options in one place and lets you filter them to find the perfect flight from California to Istanbul. momondo saves you time and could save you money on your trip.

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?

momondo provides multiple filters to help you find the best flight to Istanbul from California. Filter by price, airline, airports, cabin, aircraft, payment method, number of stops and more.

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

Price alerts on flights to Istanbul from California are quick and easy to set up on momondo. Simply perform a search and select the price alert feature. It is as simple as that.

An easier way to manage your Istanbul Airport trip

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Flights to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airportfrom $619

Cheap flights from California to Istanbul from $367

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 11/9. 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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Egyptair flights from California to Istanbul Airport

Our best Egyptair deals on California to Istanbul Airport flight tickets

Lufthansa flights from California to Istanbul Airport

Our best Lufthansa deals on California to Istanbul Airport flight tickets

momondo Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from California to Istanbul Airport that are best for you.

See travel insights to Istanbul from

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from California to Istanbul Airport

What is the cheapest month to fly to Istanbul Airport?

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

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

What is the cheapest California to Istanbul flight route?

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

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

Can stopping save me money on California to Istanbul Airport flights?

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

What airlines fly to Istanbul Airport?

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

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

How long does it take to fly to Istanbul Airport?

Cheap California to Istanbul Airport flight deals and tips

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Frequently asked questions about flying from California to Istanbul Airport

Best airlines flying from California to Istanbul Airport

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

Traveling to a place near Istanbul?

Why use momondo?

An easier way to manage your Istanbul Airport 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 Istanbul

Popular cities in Türkiye (Turkey)

Popular flights according to clicks in the last 7 days on momondo

California flight routes

According to popular flight searches on momondo this year

Istanbul Airport flight routes

According to popular flight searches on momondo this year

Fly your favorite airline to Istanbul

Airlines are sorted and displayed according to clicks in the past 7 days on momondo

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List of cabin classes available on flights landing in Istanbul. Availability may vary depending on flight origin and airline.

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