Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Istanbul — $248

Shanghai is served by two main airports with distinct roles. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) is the city’s primary international hub, typically handling most long-haul and intercontinental flights and hosting full-service carriers alongside some international low-cost airlines. It’s about 30–50 km east of downtown Shanghai; travellers usually reach the city center by maglev plus metro (~40–60 minutes, moderate fares for the maglev), direct metro line (~60–70 minutes, low fares), or taxi (~45–70 minutes, fares can be moderate to high depending on traffic). Pudong’s strengths are extensive international connectivity and modern facilities, while its distance can mean longer transfer times and higher transit costs. Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) functions mainly as a domestic and regional airport, catering to business and short-haul travellers with many domestic carriers and a few regional internationals. Located roughly 13–20 km west of the city center, it’s commonly accessed by metro (~20–30 minutes, low fares), suburban rail or taxi (~20–35 minutes, modest fares). Hongqiao is convenient for quick business trips and shorter transit times, though its international connections are more limited compared with Pudong.

Istanbul is served by two main airports with distinct roles. Istanbul Airport (IST) functions as the city’s primary international hub, handling long-haul and many full-service carriers as well as some low-cost airlines; it is about 40–50 km northwest of the historic center and can take around 40–60 minutes by taxi or 45–80 minutes by public transport depending on traffic. Transfers include metro/rail links, airport shuttles and intercity buses with fares typically ranging from modest to mid-tier. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is positioned as a secondary airport on the Asian side and is often used by low-cost and regional carriers; it sits roughly 35–45 km from central Istanbul and journeys usually last 45–75 minutes by road. SAW is served by express buses, shared shuttles and a suburban rail link in some directions, with generally lower ground-transport fares but sometimes longer transfer times. Pros: IST offers comprehensive international connections and modern facilities; SAW can be cheaper and closer for eastern neighborhoods. Cons: both can be affected by Istanbul traffic and may require extra time for transfers and check-in.

The route Shanghai — Istanbul is served by many carriers — 12 in total, including Turkish Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, AirAsia X, China Southern Airlines, Air China, SCAT, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Spring Airlines, Etihad Airways, Malindo Air, and Gulf Air. This gives passengers wide opportunities: from finding the lowest fare (from $248) 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.

In different months, ticket prices from Shanghai to Istanbul vary: minimum — $278 (October 2026), maximum — $358 (June 2027). Typically, the flight costs $305–$306.