Istanbul to Tbilisi is one of the busiest short-haul links between Turkey and the Caucasus — a little over two hours in the air, with three Turkish carriers flying it daily and competing hard on price. Checking every return fare on sale, the competition is real but the floor is higher than most guides claim: the low-cost carriers run 8.168–8.465 ₺ return from Sabiha Gökçen, and nothing sells below that. Whether you’re heading for Tbilisi’s old town and wine country, the Caucasus mountains, or an onward trip across Georgia, this guide covers who flies non-stop, what a return actually costs in lira, and when to book.
Route: Istanbul (IST / SAW) → Tbilisi International (TBS)
Distance: approximately 1,120 km (700 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 2h 15m – 2h 30m eastbound
Direct flights: Yes — Turkish Airlines flies non-stop from Istanbul Airport (IST), and Pegasus flies non-stop from both IST and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). AJet also operates non-stop on the route.
Fares from Istanbul to Tbilisi (TRY)
This is a competitive short-haul route with strong year-round demand from tourism and business travel, so fares stay reasonable outside the peaks. Prices rise in summer, over the New Year holidays and around the Eid periods, and ease off in the shoulder months. The figures below are typical economy return fares in Turkish lira — treat them as indicative, because the lira moves and the low-cost carriers reprice often.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low-medium |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | very high |
| August | — | very high |
| September | — | medium-high |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | low |
| December | — | high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, the low-cost fares sit in a remarkably tight band: 8.168–8.465 ₺ from Sabiha Gökçen, median 8.465 ₺. That is the ordinary price, not a deal, and there is nothing below the low eight thousands to wait for — a return under about 8.300 ₺ is as good as this route gets. Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Airport is a flat 12.494 ₺ in our data, which buys a bag and the main airport. Lira fares shift with the exchange rate, so always compare the live price before booking.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 2¼ hours):
- Turkish Airlines — by far the most frequent operator, non-stop from Istanbul Airport (IST) with full service and a checked bag included on most fares; it runs the large majority of departures on this route.
- Pegasus Airlines — low-cost non-stop from both IST and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW); usually the cheapest headline fare, with bags and seats sold as add-ons.
- AJet — additional non-stop frequencies that add competition and off-peak options.
With three carriers flying non-stop and Turkish Airlines running frequent daily service, there’s no reason to take a connection. Pegasus and AJet chase the lowest headline prices, while Turkish Airlines bundles in bags and a fuller service — compare the all-in fare once baggage is added.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–7 weeks ahead for the best short-haul prices; fares tend to firm up in the final fortnight.
- Avoid July–August and the New Year period if you’re flexible — these are the busiest and priciest departures.
- Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) are the value sweet spot, with mild weather for exploring Tbilisi and the wine regions.
- Check the airport: Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side often carries the cheapest Pegasus fares, while IST has the most frequencies and the widest schedule.
- Watch the bag rules: low-cost “light” fares exclude checked baggage — add a bag before you compare, or the cheap fare may not stay cheapest.
Arriving in Tbilisi
All flights land at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), about 17 km southeast of the city centre. The cheapest way in is the public bus route 337 to the centre for around GEL 1, running through the day. A metered or app-hailed taxi takes about 20–25 minutes and costs roughly GEL 30–40. Ride-hailing apps are widely used and often cheaper than the airport rank; agree the fare or use the app price before setting off.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Tbilisi?
The non-stop flight takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes eastbound from Istanbul to Tbilisi, and a similar time on the return. It’s a short-haul hop across the Black Sea and into the Caucasus, so it’s an easy half-day of travel.
Are there direct flights from Istanbul to Tbilisi?
Yes. Turkish Airlines flies non-stop from Istanbul Airport (IST), and Pegasus flies non-stop from both IST and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW). AJet also operates non-stop, so with three carriers and frequent daily service there’s no need to take a connection.
How much does it cost to fly from Istanbul to Tbilisi?
Across the dates we could price, returns ran 8.168–12.494 ₺, in two tiers rather than a smooth range: the low-cost carriers at 8.168–8.465 ₺ from Sabiha Gökçen and Turkish Airlines at 12.494 ₺ from Istanbul Airport. July and August sit at the top. Lira fares move with the exchange rate, so check the live price before booking.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Tbilisi?
February and November are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, low-cost returns started at 8.168 ₺. March and October are also good value and pair well with Georgia’s mild shoulder seasons. Avoid July, August and the New Year period, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Istanbul to Tbilisi?
Non-stop: AJet (8.168–8.465 ₺) and Pegasus (a flat 8.465 ₺) from Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) carried every cheap fare we found, with Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Airport (IST) at 12.494 ₺. Turkish Airlines operates the large majority of departures and includes a bag; AJet was marginally the cheaper of the two low-cost options when we checked, and both fly from SAW, so check which airport your ticket uses.
Which airport do I fly into in Tbilisi?
You’ll land at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), Georgia’s main international gateway, about 17 km southeast of the centre. It’s a compact, modern terminal with easy onward transport — the number 337 bus for budget travel and taxis or ride-hailing for the fastest run into the city.
How far in advance should I book Istanbul to Tbilisi flights?
Aim to book 3 to 7 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice. Short-haul fares on this route rarely fall in the final two weeks, and they climb for summer and New Year departures, so booking early during peak periods is especially worthwhile.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be a little cheaper than Friday to Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays can trim the total fare. Being flexible by a day or two, or switching to a Sabiha Gökçen departure, is one of the easiest ways to save.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns in Turkish lira — the lira is volatile, so check the live fare before booking.
