Travelling from Istanbul to Beijing: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Istanbul. Explore your options departing from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW) when reserving your flight from Istanbul to Beijing.
Step off your plane in Beijing at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX).
Around 9 hours is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Istanbul to Beijing flight.
The timezone in Beijing is UTC+8, which is five hours ahead of Istanbul.
The busiest route for flights from Istanbul to Beijing is from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK). Choose from 15 services every week between these two airports. If you want to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from IST to PEK is the 01:30 Turkish Airlines option. If you prefer to travel later, the last scheduled departure is at 14:55 with Air China.
To ensure you make 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 one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Beijing
Booking ahead of time is often the key to scoring a cheap Istanbul to Beijing flight. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Istanbul to Beijing is more likely if you're flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to see the lowest fares across the month and score a sweet deal.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Istanbul to Beijing by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Save money on your Istanbul to Beijing flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Take off from Istanbul Airport (IST) and fly right through to Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX). If you're looking for a direct flight from Istanbul to Beijing out of IST, those are your landing points.
Leading airlines that offer direct Istanbul to Beijing plane tickets departing from IST include:
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even tour another city. When browsing Istanbul to Beijing flights departing from Istanbul Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Cairo Airport (CAI)
Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Located around 32 kilometres from central Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Have an early flight from Istanbul to Beijing? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to Istanbul Airport:
Istanbul Sabiha Airport (SAW)
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Istanbul to Beijing flight. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, check out these stops between Istanbul Sabiha Airport and Beijing:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
SAW is around 31 kilometres from central Istanbul. It'll take you 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your flight from Istanbul to Beijing? Check in to a hotel near Istanbul Sabiha Airport before your adventure officially begins. Consider one of these stays:
68% of flights taking off from Istanbul Sabiha Airport make it to their destination as expected.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is approximately 26 kilometres from central Beijing. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 45 minutes.
It usually takes 50 minutes to get there on public transport.
Book a hotel near PEK if you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to Beijing. Check in to one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab a Beijing Capital Airport rental car and discover corners of Beijing that most visitors tend to miss. Find your ideal set of wheels with Hertz.
Improve your chances of scoring the lowest price by booking early. Reserving your vehicle from Beijing Capital Airport at least a few weeks ahead is a smart move.
The address for PEK is Capital Airport Rd.
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX) is about 40 kilometres from the centre of Beijing. Following your flight from Istanbul to Beijing, it takes approximately 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
You can expect the trip to take approximately 45 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some comfortable places ready to welcome you near PKX. Unwind after your Istanbul to Beijing flight at one of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Beijing
August is the busiest month for flights from Istanbul to Beijing. To escape the crowds, go to Beijing in March.
When booking your Istanbul to Beijing tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. June is the warmest month in Beijing, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64ºF) to 37ºC (99ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Istanbul to Beijing in January when temperatures average between -11ºC (12ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF).
More about Beijing
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Beijing right here. Browse these options after you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Beijing:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. The Palace Museum, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Beijing itinerary.
Explore more of China
Beijing has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of China waiting to be discovered. Around 113 kilometres southeast of Beijing, a visit to Tianjin will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Hai River, China Ancient Castle and Tianjin World Financial Centre.
Around 418 kilometres south of Beijing, Tai'an is another essential stop in China. Experience major highlights starting with Daguan Peak, Tai’an Fantawild Adventure and Taishan West Lake.