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Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Istanbul

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Compare Shanghai to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

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Flight deals from Shanghai to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Shanghai to Istanbul? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Istanbul.$645 per passenger.Departing Fri, 21 Nov, returning Thu, 18 Dec.Return flight with Gulf Air.Outbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Fri, 21 Nov, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 18 Dec, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $645, select.
Istanbul.$709 per passenger.Departing Mon, 25 Aug, returning Sun, 31 Aug.Return flight with Gulf Air.Outbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Mon, 25 Aug, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 31 Aug, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $709, select.
Istanbul.$760 per passenger.Departing Mon, 15 Sep, returning Thu, 18 Sep.Return flight with Gulf Air.Outbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Mon, 15 Sep, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 18 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $760, select.
Istanbul.$780 per passenger.Departing Sun, 18 May, returning Sun, 25 May.Return flight with Gulf Air.Outbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sun, 18 May, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Gulf Air, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 25 May, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $780, select.
Istanbul.$784 per passenger.Departing Mon, 7 Jul, returning Mon, 8 Sep.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Mon, 7 Jul, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 8 Sep, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $784, select.
Istanbul.$784 per passenger.Departing Thu, 12 Jun, returning Thu, 19 Jun.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Thu, 12 Jun, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 19 Jun, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $784, select.
Istanbul.$787 per passenger.Departing Wed, 25 Jun, returning Thu, 17 Jul.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 25 Jun, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 17 Jul, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $787, select.
Istanbul.$788 per passenger.Departing Tue, 7 Oct, returning Tue, 14 Oct.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Tue, 7 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 14 Oct, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Price includes taxes and charges.From $788, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Shanghai to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in August.
Apr
from $1,604
May
from $780
Jun
from $784
Jul
from $795
Aug
from $709
Sep
from $760
Oct
from $788
Nov
from $811
Dec
from $870
Jan
from $869
Feb
from $844
Mar
from $869

Direct flights from Shanghai to Istanbul

Alternative Shanghai to Istanbul routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Shanghai to Istanbul? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Shanghai to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$645
Cheapest month to flyNovember
Average flight time12 hrs, 3 mins
Most popular airlineChina Eastern
Average flights per week15

Finding cheap flights from Shanghai to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.
The best price we found for a return flight from Shanghai to Istanbul is $645. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
12 hours and 3 minutes is the average flight time from Shanghai to Istanbul.
China Eastern and Turkish Airlines fly direct from Shanghai to Istanbul.
As of April 2025, there are 15 flights per week flying from Shanghai to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Shanghai to Istanbul is usually April 2025.
If you're flying from Shanghai, the cheapest airport near Istanbul is Istanbul – which is 34.4 km away from the centre of Istanbul. We've found flights into this airport from $645.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Shanghai to Istanbul on Friday, 21 November 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 12 hours and 3 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In April, the average temperature is usually around 12°C. August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is December.
The cheapest airline that flies to Istanbul is Gulf Air. And the cheapest airline that flies to Istanbul Airport is Turkish Airlines.

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 (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).

  • If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Shanghai to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).

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.

Plan the rest of your trip from Shanghai to Istanbul

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.