Are direct flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul always the best option?

Direct flights offer convenience by reducing travel time and avoiding layovers, which can be appealing. However, connecting flights may sometimes be more affordable, especially if you are willing to accept a longer journey. The 'best' option often depends on your priorities regarding cost versus convenience.

Can flexible travel dates help on Thessaloniki to Istanbul flights?

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to finding cheaper flights. Prices for airfare can vary significantly depending on the day of the week or time of year. Adjusting your departure or return by a few days may reveal more budget-friendly options.

What extra costs should I check before booking Thessaloniki to Istanbul flights?

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. Being aware of these additional fees can help you calculate the true total cost of your journey.

Flights From Thessaloniki

To Istanbul

Cheap Flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Browse current best options from Thessaloniki. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Thessaloniki

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Istanbul

Prices updated 4 days ago

476 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Oct 12, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

2027-01-08 – 2027-01-22
SKG - Istanbul
46% AI deal score
110 €
105 €
Round trip
2027-04-16 – 2027-04-23
SKG - Istanbul
80% AI deal score
219 €
106 €
Round trip
2027-01-25 – 2027-01-29
SKG - Istanbul
49% AI deal score
125 €
107 €
Round trip
2027-02-01 – 2027-02-05
SKG - Istanbul
67% AI deal score
147 €
107 €
Round trip
2027-04-09 – 2027-04-12
SKG - Istanbul
79% AI deal score
203 €
107 €
Round trip
2027-04-12 – 2027-04-16
SKG - Istanbul
80% AI deal score
222 €
107 €
Round trip
2027-04-19 – 2027-04-23
SKG - Istanbul
80% AI deal score
224 €
107 €
Round trip
2027-04-05 – 2027-04-09
SKG - Istanbul
78% AI deal score
191 €
107 €
Round trip
2027-04-02 – 2027-04-05
SKG - Istanbul
78% AI deal score
188 €
107 €
Round trip
2027-01-18 – 2027-02-05
SKG - Istanbul
45% AI deal score
109 €
107 €
Round trip

Thessaloniki to Istanbul: Overview

Insights for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

A typical journey from Thessaloniki to Istanbul, including connections, takes about 1h 30m. This is a relatively short travel time, reflecting the proximity of the two cities. When considering connecting itineraries, the median journey time extends to 17h 0m, indicating that most routes involve significant layovers.

For travelers looking for cheap flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul, the fares right now are below the typical level for this route. Prices typically range from $262–$558, with a median of $361. Currently, about 10% of recent fares are classified as a good price, suggesting that deals can be found, but they are not always abundant. New deals for this route are infrequent, so setting up a price alert could be beneficial.

The cheapest time to fly from Thessaloniki to Istanbul is often in the cooler months. November stands out with a median fare of just $122. Similarly, February and October also offer low median fares at $123 each. These months present the best opportunities for finding more affordable travel options.

Most itineraries from Thessaloniki to Istanbul involve at least one connection, with most itineraries connecting at least once. Only 13.6% of recent fares were for direct flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul. For connecting flights, the typical number of stopovers is 2, which contributes to the longer overall journey times for non-direct routes.

The distance between Thessaloniki and Istanbul is 493 km, classifying this as a short-haul route. This short distance means that even with connections, the actual flight time in the air is brief, making it a quick trip once airborne.

How much is a round trip from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Regular price: €96 - €222

Prices are currently within the regular range for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul.

The regular price range for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul is between 96 EUR and 222 EUR. The current lowest deal is 101 EUR with Aegean Airlines for travel from Jan 18 to Jan 22.

now 101 €

Low 96 €

High 222 €

The cheapest time to fly from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

The cheapest month to fly from SKG to IST is November, with a median price of 122 USD. The most expensive month is August, with a median price of 631 USD. Prices are generally lower from January to November.

November

Cheapest

Flights from 122 €

August

Most Expensive

Flights from 631 €

Jan

Feb

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Aegean Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Aegean Airlines

363 €

208 €

One-way

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Aegean Airlines

335 €

228 €

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Air Serbia

363 €

206 €

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Air Serbia

359 €

206 €

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Air Serbia

310 €

206 €

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Air Serbia

364 €

215 €

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

2 nights

Apr 9 - Apr 11

348 € → 133 €

62%

4 nights

Apr 16 - Apr 20

351 € → 166 €

53%

9 nights

Apr 3 - Apr 12

299 € → 128 €

57%

4 nights

Oct 9 - Oct 13

351 € → 182 €

48%

Popular Airports to fly from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Thessaloniki - Istanbul route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level.

Recent fares from Thessaloniki to Istanbul are below the typical level for the route.

📅 Best time to fly

November, February, and October are historically cheapest.

Historically, November ($122), February ($123), and October ($123) offer the lowest median prices.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights average 1h 30m.

Direct flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul typically take 1 hour and 30 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are more common.

Only 13.6% of recent flights are direct, with connecting flights typically having 2 stopovers.

🏆 Airline highlight

Aegean Airlines offers direct flights.

Aegean Airlines is one of the carriers providing direct flight options on this route.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals for this route are rare.

Deals on flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul are historically rare, appearing infrequently.

Thessaloniki main airports to depart from

Thessaloniki International Airport Macedonia (SKG)

Cheapest

Thessaloniki International Airport Macedonia is a convenient departure point for flights to Istanbul.

📍 ~14 km from Thessaloniki (reachable by car or bus)

💸 Flights from ~€106

Istanbul main airports to arrive at

Istanbul Airport (IST)

Cheapest

Istanbul Airport is a primary arrival option for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul.

📍 ~35 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~€105

Airports nearby Istanbul used as alternative

Adnan Menderes (ADB)

Consider this major international hub for its high flight frequency and excellent connectivity, despite the travel distance.

📍 ~330 km from Istanbul (requires separate domestic flight or long drive)

💸 Flights from ~€196

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Istanbul

$383

Save $172

Aegean Airlines

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Istanbul

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices from various airlines and booking in advance can often help secure better deals. Utilizing flight comparison websites may also reveal more economical options.

Booking flights in advance, often several weeks or months before your intended departure, can sometimes result in lower prices. Prices may fluctuate, so monitoring fares over time can help you identify a good booking window. Avoiding last-minute bookings usually helps prevent higher costs.

Comparing nearby airports at both your origin and destination can sometimes uncover alternative flight options or better prices. While it may add to travel time, the potential savings could be significant. Always consider the total cost and convenience when evaluating this option.

Related routes

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Flights to Istanbul from other cities

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Thessaloniki to Istanbul: Overview

Insights for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

How much is a round trip from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Regular price: €96 - €222

Prices are currently within the regular range for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul.

The regular price range for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul is between 96 EUR and 222 EUR. The current lowest deal is 101 EUR with Aegean Airlines for travel from Jan 18 to Jan 22.

now 101 €

Low 96 €

High 222 €

The cheapest time to fly from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

November

Cheapest

Flights from 122 €

August

Most Expensive

Flights from 631 €

Jan

Feb

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Aegean Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Aegean Airlines

363 €

208 €

One-way

Mon, Oct 12

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Aegean Airlines

335 €

228 €

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Air Serbia

363 €

206 €

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Air Serbia

359 €

206 €

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Air Serbia

310 €

206 €

One-way

Tue, Oct 13

⌛ Last-Minute

SKG - Istanbul

Thessaloniki (SKG) - Istanbul (IST)

Air Serbia

364 €

215 €

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

2 nights

Apr 9 - Apr 11

348 € → 133 €

62%

4 nights

Apr 16 - Apr 20

351 € → 166 €

53%

9 nights

Apr 3 - Apr 12

299 € → 128 €

57%

4 nights

Oct 9 - Oct 13

351 € → 182 €

48%

Popular Airports to fly from Thessaloniki to Istanbul