Travelling from Istanbul to San Diego: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering the departure point for your flight from Istanbul to San Diego. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are the main airports in Istanbul.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the primary hub where you can disembark in San Diego.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your flight from Istanbul to San Diego.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself some extra wiggle room. A good rule for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
If you hold a passport from Türkiye (Turkey), you will need an embassy visa to enter United States. This applies if you're booking a cheap flight from Istanbul to San Diego for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check the visa rules ahead of booking and certainly before you fly.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
We make it a piece of cake to book a flight from Istanbul to San Diego that includes a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 48 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Booked an early flight from Istanbul to San Diego? Avoid rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these stays close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Istanbul to San Diego, here's where you can stop when taking off from Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
You can get to SAW from the centre of Istanbul in about 57 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride by public transport will take roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Want to spoil yourself with an extra night away before boarding your flight from Istanbul to San Diego? Unwind in a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your break officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego is roughly 5 kilometres. It takes around 9 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It takes around 20 minutes to get there using public transport.
Reserve a hotel close to SAN if you're catching a late flight from Istanbul to San Diego. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
The centre of San Diego is located around 56 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). After your flight from Istanbul to San Diego has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 39 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes.
You'll find some comfortable stays ready to welcome you near CLD. Kick back after your flight from Istanbul to San Diego at any of these well-located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to San Diego
ج.م. 17,473 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to San Diego. Return flights start from ج.م. 33,027. These fares may change depending on demand.
It's usually smart to book as early as possible if you want to find cheap tickets from Istanbul to San Diego. That's because airlines change prices based on demand, which tends to increase closer to departure.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from Istanbul to San Diego across the month. It's the best way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from Istanbul to San Diego every day.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Istanbul to San Diego.
Best time to go to San Diego
May is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to San Diego, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit San Diego based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in San Diego is August, with temperatures ranging between 17ºC and 28ºC. Book your flights from Istanbul to San Diego in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
Search for cheap tickets from Istanbul to San Diego in February if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 7ºC and 23ºC on average.
More about San Diego
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to San Diego, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring San Diego:
San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum are just a couple of the big attractions to put on your San Diego travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to SeaWorld San Diego.
Complete your San Diego trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Istanbul to San Diego isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in San Diego and explore the city on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. Instantly compare offers and then book with no fees.
