Travelling from Shanghai to Istanbul: what you need to know
Shanghai has a couple of airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Check out your options for booking a flight from Shanghai to Istanbul flying out of Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Arrive in Istanbul at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
Around 12 hours is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Shanghai to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, making Istanbul five hours behind Shanghai.
With 14 flights a week between the two airports, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Shanghai to Istanbul with China Eastern Airlines at 01:20. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the last flight from PVG to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 22:50.
Leave plenty of time to get on your Shanghai to Istanbul flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months such as April. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shanghai to Istanbul
Lock in cheap Shanghai to Istanbul flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for bagging a bargain.
May is the best month for scoring a fantastic deal on a plane ticket from Shanghai to Istanbul. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Shanghai to Istanbul by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Shanghai to Istanbul flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Set out from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) on a nonstop flight from Shanghai to Istanbul. From PVG, you can land directly at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST).
Lock in your Shanghai to Istanbul plane tickets with Turkish Airlines. This carrier is a popular choice for direct flights from PVG.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Shanghai to Istanbul flight. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
To reach PVG from central Shanghai, it'll take about 50 minutes if you're going by car. It's roughly 32 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Need a handy hotel close to Shanghai Pudong International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Shanghai to Istanbul, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, data shows 78.11% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
You'll find PVG at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Break up your Shanghai to Istanbul flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or cross a new place off your list. Top stopovers between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Istanbul are:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
The drive from central Shanghai to SHA usually takes 20 minutes, depending on traffic. It's roughly 13 kilometres from the city centre to the airport.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Shanghai to Istanbul, take it easy in one of these hotels close to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport:
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport has a track record for punctuality. 85.58% of flights out of here land precisely when expected.
SHA is located at 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 50 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Shanghai to Istanbul, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's main sights.
To secure the lowest price, book your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks ahead of your Shanghai to Istanbul flight.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is around 31 kilometres from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). As soon as your flight from Shanghai to Istanbul has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 55 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to lay your head close to SAW. Kick back after your Shanghai to Istanbul flight at one of these well-located options:
Forget about inconvenient public transport timetables or waiting in a long cab line. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare availability and rates from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.
Get exactly what you want. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a wider choice of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Shanghai to Istanbul. April is the busiest month to visit Istanbul. If you like a quieter vibe, go in February.
Lock in a Shanghai to Istanbul ticket departing in August if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Istanbul to range from 20ºC to 30ºC.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Shanghai to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC and 11ºC.
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Shanghai to Istanbul, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Istanbul:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Topkapi Palace, The Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower are must-visits when exploring Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, check out popular attractions including Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another favourite destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without dropping by Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.