Cheap Flights from Sanya to Istanbul Starting at $317

The route Sanya — Istanbul is served by many carriers — 8 in total, including Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Air China, and Shanghai Airlines. This gives passengers wide opportunities: from finding the lowest fare (from $317) to selecting flights by schedule or service class. Our service aggregates data from multiple booking systems so you can compare offers in one place. This saves time and money: no need to check dozens of sites — just pick the right option and book online.

Sanya is served mainly by Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX), which functions as the island’s principal international and domestic gateway and usually handles most full-service carriers alongside a growing number of regional and low-cost flights. The airport lies about 15–20 km northwest of downtown Sanya, with road transfer by taxi or ride-hail typically taking 25–40 minutes depending on traffic; airport shuttle buses and some hotel transfers can be cheaper alternatives. Taxis and private transfers are the most convenient for door-to-door trips, while public buses offer the lowest fares for budget travelers. Pros: modern facilities and a wide route network for Haikou, mainland China and seasonal international services; cons: peak-season crowds and variable journey times to beach resorts.

Istanbul is served by two main airports: the new Istanbul Airport (IST), positioned as the city’s primary international hub handling most long-haul and full-service carriers, and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), which typically caters to low-cost and regional flights. IST lies on the city’s European side about 40–50 km from the historic center; travel by taxi or ride-share can take 40–60 minutes depending on traffic, while Havatas shuttles and metro links usually take 45–75 minutes with fares that can be moderate to mid-range. SAW sits on the Asian side roughly 35–45 km from central areas, with buses and shared shuttles often taking 60–90 minutes; taxis are faster but more costly. Pros: IST offers extensive international connections and modern facilities; SAW can be cheaper for budget airlines and closer to some neighborhoods. Cons: both can be affected by heavy traffic and longer transfer times between sides of the city.

In different months, ticket prices from Sanya to Istanbul vary: minimum — $317 (November 2025), maximum — $505 (April 2026). Typically, the flight costs $381–$751.