Cheap Flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Compare Thessaloniki to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

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Flight deals from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Thessaloniki to Istanbul? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Map with a flight path from Thessaloniki to Istanbul. A plane icon is halfway along the route with a label that says "Direct flight".
Direct flight

Your route at a glance

Cheapest deal$204
Cheapest monthJanuary
Average flight duration1 hour and 31 minutes
Most popular airlineTurkish Airlines

Find the cheapest month to fly from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Thessaloniki to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in January.

Direct flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Alternative Thessaloniki to Istanbul routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Thessaloniki to Istanbul? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Finding cheap flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.
The best price we found for a return flight from Thessaloniki to Istanbul is $204. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
1 hour and 31 minutes is the average flight time from Thessaloniki to Istanbul.
Aegean Airlines, Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines fly direct from Thessaloniki to Istanbul.
As of December 2025, there are 68 flights per week flying from Thessaloniki to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Thessaloniki to Istanbul is usually January.
If you're flying from Thessaloniki Airport, the cheapest airport near Istanbul is Istanbul – which is 34.4 km away from the centre of Istanbul. We've found flights into this airport from $204.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Thessaloniki Airport to Istanbul on Monday, 12 January 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 31 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In December, the average temperature is usually around 8°C. August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is December.
Currently, Aegean Airlines offers the cheapest flight tickets to Istanbul.

Flying from Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG) to Istanbul: what you need to know

  • Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul.

  • Istanbul is one hour ahead of Thessaloniki, where Thessaloniki International Airport is located. Istanbul runs on the UTC+3 timezone.

  • The most popular route is from Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). There are 12 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SKG to IST is the 09:30 Turkish Airlines option. If you're planning to fly out later on, the final departure is at 21:45 with Turkish Airlines.

  • Leave plenty of time to catch your SKG to Istanbul flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • Taking off during a peak period like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.

  • Begin your trip at SKG and travel straight to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That will be your arrival point when searching for Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul tickets.

  • Get on board with Turkish Airlines. This airline offers direct flights from Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul.

  • We make it simple to book flight tickets from SKG to Istanbul with a stopover. To see the options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Well-traveled stopover hubs include:

    • Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)

    • Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)

    • Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)

  • Located around 13 kilometres from the centre of Thessaloniki, SKG can be reached in about 25 minutes by car. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.

  • Planning to catch an early flight from Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to SKG:

  • Of all flights departing from Thessaloniki International Airport, 79.57% arrive as scheduled at their destination.

How to find the cheapest flights from Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG) to Istanbul

  • $89 is currently the best price for a one-way Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul flight. A return flight ticket starts at $204. These fares may change depending on availability.

  • Get cheap flights from SKG to Istanbul by booking three months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.

  • The best month for landing cheap Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul tickets is July. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the biggest savings.

  • Locking in a cheap flight from SKG to Istanbul is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when a deal gets even better.

  • Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'

Airports in Istanbul

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes around 50 minutes to reach the centre driving.

  • When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 45 minutes.

  • Look into staying at a hotel close to IST if you have a late flight from Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these options and make your first night all about catching up on rest:

  • Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's main sights.

  • Booking your vehicle from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks before your flight from SKG to Istanbul can help you secure the lowest rate.

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Once you've disembarked your flight from Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.

  • If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your SKG to Istanbul flight:

  • No need to worry about public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Grab a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.

  • Get first dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a wider range of vehicles.

Best time to go to Istanbul

  • Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive in high season, but rates are often higher and top attractions can be crowded. Visit Istanbul in the off-season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.

  • The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC and 30ºC. Book your Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul flight ticket then if that's the weather you find most pleasant.

  • Search for cheap tickets from SKG to Istanbul in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 11ºC on average.

More about Istanbul

  • Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Thessaloniki International Airport to Istanbul, browse our range of accommodation options including:

  • There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are major attractions which should feature on any good Istanbul itinerary.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

  • Ankara is just one of the many cities in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, top sights here include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.

  • If you're eager to discover another major destination in Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, roughly 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak are key highlights.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.