Flying from Istanbul to Beijing: what you need to know
Istanbul has a couple of airports that could be the jumping-off point for your adventure. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to Beijing departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
When it comes to choosing where to land in Beijing, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX) are the chief entry points.
The average length of a direct Istanbul to Beijing flight is 9 hours 10 minutes.
The timezone in Beijing is UTC+8, which is five hours ahead of Istanbul.
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are ten weekly departures to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from Istanbul to Beijing is with Air China at 14:55. Go for the first IST to PEK departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 01:35 to maximise your time in Beijing.
To ensure you don't miss your Istanbul to Beijing flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months such as April, it's best to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights when you travel during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Beijing
To score cheap Istanbul to Beijing flights, book your journey two months ahead of your departure.
The best month for picking up cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Beijing is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Istanbul to Beijing by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Istanbul to Beijing flights.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
You can find a direct flight from Istanbul to Beijing leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Begin your trip at IST and then touch down at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX).
Pick from a variety of airlines that offer direct Istanbul to Beijing plane tickets out of IST. Book your seat with one of these:
We make it easy to book an Istanbul to Beijing flight with a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Popular stopovers include:
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Tashkent International Airport (TAS)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After a leisurely start to your travels? Stay near Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul to Beijing or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Split up your Istanbul to Beijing flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Popular stopovers between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Beijing include:
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
SAW is around 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It takes 55 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from Istanbul to Beijing? Relax in a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your trip officially begins. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76.93%. This figure gives an insight into how often flights that take off from this airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
The distance from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to central Beijing is roughly 26 kilometres. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the centre driving.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Beijing. Stay at one of these accommodation options near PEK instead:
Pick up a Beijing Capital International Airport rental car and discover parts of Beijing that aren't in every guidebook. Book your wheels with Hertz.
Boost your chances of scoring a great price by booking early. Reserving your vehicle from Beijing Capital International Airport at least a couple of weeks ahead is a smart move.
PEK is located at Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
The centre of Beijing is approximately 40 kilometres from Daxing International Airport (PKX). After your flight from Istanbul to Beijing has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 1 hour 5 minutes.
After your flight from Istanbul to Beijing, settle in at a hotel close to PKX. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Beijing
February is the quietest month for flights from Istanbul to Beijing, while April is the busiest. Find the best time to go to Beijing based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Before locking in your Istanbul to Beijing tickets, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Beijing, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 35ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Beijing in January when temperatures average between -11ºC and 3ºC.
More about Beijing
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Beijing, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Beijing:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are popular attractions which should be on every Beijing itinerary.
Explore more of China
Tianjin is just one of the many places in China waiting to be explored after you've seen Beijing. Around 113 kilometres to the south-east, popular attractions include Ancient Culture Street, Porcelain house and Haihe River.
Tai'an is another standout destination in China and is around 418 kilometres south of Beijing. No trip is complete without seeing Sanyi Cypress, Xixi Stone Pavilion and Qiuxian Cave.
