Flying from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Shanghai: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai is 11 hours 55 minutes.
Shanghai is five hours ahead of Istanbul, where Istanbul Airport is located. Shanghai observes the UTC+8 timezone.
Istanbul Airport (IST) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is the most popular route, with 14 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to do before leaving, the last flight from IST to PVG is with China Eastern Airlines at 14:00. Opt for the first departure with Turkish Airlines at 01:20 if you want to fly out earlier.
For a relaxed start to your IST to Shanghai flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
Direct Istanbul Airport to Shanghai tickets are available for booking. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is where you'll be touching down.
Book your ticket with Turkish Airlines. This leading carrier offers direct flights from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai.
We make it a breeze to book plane tickets from IST to Shanghai with a stopover. To see all your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Well-traveled stopover hubs include:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN)
IST is about 32 kilometres from central Istanbul. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your holiday? Stay near IST. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Shanghai
ر.ق. 1,259 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Istanbul Airport to Shanghai flight. A return plane ticket right now is ر.ق. 1,995. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to pick up cheap flights from IST to Shanghai if you book early. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai across every month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Finding a cheap flight from IST to Shanghai is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai.
Airports in Shanghai
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
The distance from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It'll take around 50 minutes if you're using public transport.
Book a hotel near PVG if you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
To get the lowest possible price, reserve your ride from Shanghai Pudong International Airport a few weeks before your flight from IST to Shanghai. Prices typically go up as your departure date approaches.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
Once your flight from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in around 30 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is roughly 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 40 minutes or so.
After stepping off your IST to Shanghai flight, kick back at a hotel near SHA. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Generally, the earlier you book, the more you save and the better your options. Lock in your ride from SHA the moment you know your dates.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.
Best time to go to Shanghai
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai. February is the busiest month to travel to Shanghai. If you like a more low-key vibe, go in December.
Before booking a Istanbul Airport to Shanghai plane ticket, think about the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Shanghai, with temperatures ranging from 23ºC to 34ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from IST to Shanghai in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -1ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Shanghai
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul Airport to Shanghai, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Shanghai:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Museum and The Bund Sightseeing Avenue are popular 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 once you've seen the sights of Shanghai. Around 274 kilometres away to the west, popular attractions include Nanjing City Wall, Zijin Tower and Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall.
Puyang is another standout destination in China and is around 241 kilometres southwest of Shanghai. No journey is complete without visiting Xuanlushan Scenic Area, Xianhua Mountain and Minsheng Flower Sea.
