Travelling from Istanbul to Beijing: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can take off from in Istanbul. Check out your options leaving from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when reserving your flight from Istanbul to Beijing.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport (PKX) are Beijing's major entry points.
Around 9 hours 10 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Istanbul to Beijing flight.
Beijing is five hours ahead of Istanbul and observes the UTC+8 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from Istanbul to Beijing is from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Take your pick of ten services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from IST to PEK is the 01:30 Turkish Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 14:55 with Air China.
To ensure you catch your Istanbul to Beijing flight, allow plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
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)
Begin your travels at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), which has a range of direct flights from Istanbul to Beijing. From IST, you can fly nonstop to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) or Daxing International Airport (PKX).
Popular carriers that offer direct Istanbul to Beijing plane tickets departing from IST include:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even tour another city. When searching for Istanbul to Beijing flights departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Located around 32 kilometres from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Istanbul to Beijing? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Break up your Istanbul to Beijing flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some great stopovers between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Beijing include:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
You can get to SAW from the centre of Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to cover the 31 kilometres or so.
You're going on holiday, so why not spend an additional night away? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport the day before your flight from Istanbul to Beijing:
77% of flights taking off from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport arrive according to schedule.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is approximately 26 kilometres from central Beijing. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 40 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Istanbul to Beijing, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these accommodation options near PEK:
Pick up a Beijing Capital International Airport rental car and explore corners of Beijing that aren't the typical tourist stops. Book your wheels with Hertz.
Book your vehicle from Beijing Capital International Airport a few weeks before your departure to get the best deal. If you're going away during a busy period, it's smart to book your Istanbul to Beijing flight even earlier.
You'll find PEK at Capital Airport Rd.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
After your flight from Istanbul to Beijing has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in around 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Beijing is roughly 40 kilometres from Daxing International Airport (PKX).
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to PKX. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Istanbul to Beijing:
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 (70ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Beijing in January when temperatures average between -11ºC (12ºF) and 3ºC (37ºF).
More about Beijing
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Beijing right here. Check out these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Istanbul to Beijing:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are must-visits when exploring Beijing.
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.