Flying from Istanbul to Shanghai: what you need to know
Istanbul is home to two main airports where you can start your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Istanbul to Shanghai leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
When it comes to choosing where to land in Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are the chief entry points.
Around 10 hours 20 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Istanbul to Shanghai flight.
Shanghai is five hours ahead of Istanbul and is in the UTC+8 timezone.
With 14 flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route. Board the earliest flight from Istanbul to Shanghai with Turkish Airlines at 01:30. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the latest departure from IST to PVG is with China Eastern Airlines at 14:00.
To ensure you board your Istanbul to Shanghai flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like April, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Shanghai
To score cheap Istanbul to Shanghai flights, book your journey two months before your planned departure.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Shanghai is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Istanbul to Shanghai by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Istanbul to Shanghai flights.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Set out from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) on a nonstop flight from Istanbul to Shanghai. From IST, you can fly directly to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
Turkish Airlines is a well-known airline that offers direct Istanbul to Shanghai plane tickets leaving from IST.
We make it easy to find an Istanbul to Shanghai flight with a stopover. To see all your options leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Booked an early flight from Istanbul to Shanghai? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your Istanbul to Shanghai flight. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever you decide to do, here's where you can stop between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Shanghai:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
You can get to SAW from central Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to travel the 31 kilometres or so.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Istanbul to Shanghai, stay in one of these hotels close to Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 76.93%.
Arriving in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Shanghai. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 50 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul to Shanghai. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Go beyond Shanghai and check out places that aren't on most itineraries with your own set of wheels. You can pick up a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car from Hertz.
To secure the best deal, book your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport a few weeks in advance. Rates typically rise closer to your date of travel.
PVG is situated at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Central Shanghai is approximately 13 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Once your flight from Istanbul to Shanghai has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 20 minutes.
There are some great places ready to welcome you near SHA. Settle in and get cosy after your Istanbul to Shanghai flight at any of these well-located options:
Grab a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car and set off toward new discoveries with your own set of wheels. Hertz is just moments from your arrival gate, so you'll be on the road in a flash.
Typically, the earlier you book, the better the deals and choice of vehicles. Secure your ride from SHA once you know your travel dates.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
April is the most popular month for flights from Istanbul to Shanghai. To skip the crowds, go to Shanghai in April.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Lock in your Istanbul to Shanghai ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Shanghai in January when temperatures average between -1ºC and 10ºC.
More about Shanghai
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Shanghai right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Istanbul to Shanghai:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. The Bund Sightseeing Avenue, Yu Garden and Shanghai Tower are top attractions which should feature on any good Shanghai itinerary.
Explore more of China
Nanjing is just one of the many places in China waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres to the west, check out popular attractions including Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing City Wall and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Suzhou is another essential stop in China and is around 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. No journey is complete without a visit to Lotus Peak, Tianpingshan and Shangfang Tower.