Flying from Istanbul to Beijing: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering where you'll take off for your flight from Istanbul to Beijing. Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) are Istanbul's main airports.
When it comes to choosing where to land in Beijing, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX) are the major hubs.
The average length of a direct flight from Istanbul to Beijing is 9 hours 14 minutes. Beijing's timezone is UTC+8, making Beijing 5 hours ahead of Istanbul.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 14 weekly flights to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Istanbul to Beijing is with Air China at 14:55. Choose the first IST to PEK departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 01:35 if you want to get going early.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from Istanbul to Beijing.
During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during peak periods in general.
You will need an embassy visa for China if you have a passport from Türkiye (Turkey) and are visiting for tourism purposes. Travel documentation and visa requirements can be subject to change. So before you lock in those cheap flights from Istanbul to Beijing, check with your airline and the destination country's local consulate or embassy for the most recent updates.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Direct flights from Istanbul to Beijing are available from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). IST offers nonstop journeys to two Beijing terminals, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX).
At IST, you can choose from various airlines that offer direct flights from Istanbul to Beijing, including:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even explore another city. When browsing flights from Istanbul to Beijing leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Located around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in approximately 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
After an easy start to your holiday? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Istanbul to Beijing or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Maximise your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Istanbul to Beijing. Visit family or friends or tick another city off your bucket list. Whatever you want to do, check out these options between Istanbul Ataturk Airport and Beijing:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
SAW is around 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. It takes 57 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not extend it with an extra night away from home? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Beijing:
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is around 31 kilometres from the centre of Beijing. With your own car rental or in a cab, the drive is about 40 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Istanbul to Beijing. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PEK instead:
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Central Beijing is located around 56 kilometres from Daxing International Airport (PKX). After your flight from Istanbul to Beijing has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 1 hour and 3 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near PKX. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Istanbul to Beijing:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Beijing
ر.ق. 597 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Beijing. Return flights start from ر.ق. 1,116. These prices may change based on availability.
Score cheap tickets from Istanbul to Beijing by booking at least 9 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The cheapest month for flight tickets from Istanbul to Beijing is May. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll be notified straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from searching for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Beijing every day.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Istanbul to Beijing.
Best time to go to Beijing
July is the busiest month for flights from Istanbul to Beijing. To skip the crowds, go to Beijing in February.
Before booking a flight from Istanbul to Beijing, consider the kind of weather you like best. July is the warmest month in Beijing, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 35ºC.
January has average temperatures of between -11ºC and 3ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Beijing around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Beijing
Start your Beijing trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Beijing, explore our selection of hotels including:
Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven are just two of the leading attractions to add to your Beijing travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Tiananmen Square.
Complete your Beijing trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Istanbul to Beijing isn't the only trick up our sleeve. Check out our car rentals in Beijing and explore the city on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental companies and put them all in one place. Instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.