Travelling from Beijing to Istanbul: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Beijing. Check out your options leaving from Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) when organising your flight from Beijing to Istanbul.
Hop off your plane in Istanbul at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
The average duration of a direct Beijing to Istanbul flight is 10 hours 35 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is five hours behind Beijing.
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 15 weekly flights to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from Beijing to Istanbul is with Air China at 01:55. Go for the first PEK to IST departure with Turkish Airlines at 00:10 to fit in more activities on your first day in Istanbul.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to board your Beijing to Istanbul flight.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Beijing to Istanbul
To pick up cheap Beijing to Istanbul flights, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Beijing to Istanbul is easier if you can be flexible with your travel plans. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to see the lowest prices across the month and walk away with a fantastic deal.
Finding a cheap flight from Beijing to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Save money on your Beijing to Istanbul flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Beijing
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Set out from Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) on a nonstop flight from Beijing to Istanbul. From PEK, you can travel directly to Istanbul Airport (IST).
Turkish Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct Beijing to Istanbul plane tickets from PEK.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Beijing to Istanbul flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Beijing Capital Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Athens International Airport (ATH)
Vienna Airport (VIE)
Almaty Airport (ALA)
Located around 26 kilometres from central Beijing, PEK can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 50 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Beijing to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Beijing Capital Airport:
81% of flights leaving Beijing Capital Airport land at their destination on schedule. With its reliable on-time performance, disruptions are unlikely when taking off from PEK.
PEK is located at Capital Airport Rd.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
You can take a direct flight from Beijing to Istanbul departing from Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX). Kick off your travels at PKX and disembark at Istanbul Airport (IST).
China Southern Airlines offers direct Beijing to Istanbul plane tickets from PKX. Book your favourite seat and get to your destination without any detours.
Split up your Beijing to Istanbul flight with a stop so you can freshen up or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some top stopovers between Beijing Daxing Airport and Istanbul are:
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
You can reach PKX from central Beijing in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 45 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before catching your flight from Beijing to Istanbul? Relax in a hotel near Beijing Daxing Airport before your holiday officially starts. Stay at one of these accommodation options:
Flights from Beijing Daxing Airport have a proven record for punctuality, with 87% of them arriving as planned.
Arriving in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is approximately 32 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes around 45 minutes.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Beijing to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near IST:
Pick up a Istanbul Airport rental car and explore Istanbul and beyond with your own set of wheels. Hit, Avec car rentals and Eren Rent a Car are popular providers you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle from Istanbul Airport around two weeks ahead of your Beijing to Istanbul flight.
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Beijing to Istanbul has touched down, you can get to the city centre in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is approximately 31 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW).
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from Beijing to Istanbul, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Istanbul Sabiha Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Essence, Eren Rent a Car or 724 Rent and make a speedy getaway.
Snap up a deal by securing your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
March is the quietest month for flights from Beijing to Istanbul, while August is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Istanbul based on whether you want a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Beijing to Istanbul tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Beijing to Istanbul in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Beijing to Istanbul, browse our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Hagia Sophia, Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum are top sights which should feature on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres to the east, check out popular attractions including The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul, Izmir is another favourite stop in Türkiye (Turkey). Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.