Cheap Flights from Thessaloniki to Istanbul — $83

The route Thessaloniki — Istanbul is served by many carriers — 6 in total, including Aegean Airlines, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Sky Express, Air Serbia, and Turkish Airlines. This gives passengers wide opportunities: from finding the lowest fare (from $83) to selecting flights by schedule or service class. Our service aggregates data from multiple booking systems so you can compare offers in one place. This saves time and money: no need to check dozens of sites — just pick the right option and book online.

Macedonia International Airport (SKG) is Thessaloniki’s main gateway and usually functions as an international hub with a mix of full-service carriers and low-cost airlines operating year-round and seasonally. The airport sits about 15–20 minutes’ drive (around 15 km) from the city center; taxis commonly take 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and can be mid-priced, while the X1 bus and regional buses offer budget-friendly transfers in roughly 30–50 minutes. Car hire is widely available for more flexibility. Pros: compact terminal, straightforward connections and a range of carrier choices; cons: can be busy during summer and some low-cost fares may have tighter baggage rules. Overall it’s a convenient base for northern Greece.

Fly nonstop from Thessaloniki to Istanbul for the quickest, most convenient way to bridge Greece and Turkey—less time in transit means more time exploring vibrant bazaars and seaside promenades. While connecting options can sometimes be cheaper, a direct flight saves hours and offers a more relaxed, hassle-free journey so you can arrive refreshed and ready to discover the city.

In different months, ticket prices from Thessaloniki to Istanbul vary: minimum — $65 (March 2026), maximum — $132 (January 2027). Typically, the flight costs $104–$122.

Istanbul Airport (IST) is Turkey’s main international hub, handling the bulk of long-haul and full-service carrier traffic and typically serving airlines such as Turkish Airlines and other global carriers. Located roughly 35–45 km north-west of the historic city centre, transfers by taxi or private transfer can take 35–60 minutes depending on traffic; the Havaist and IETT airport buses offer journeys of about 60–90 minutes with fares usually in the low single-digit to low double-digit lira/euro range, while planned metro links aim to reduce travel times. Pros: modern facilities, wide route network and plentiful services; Cons: distance from central districts and variable road congestion can extend transfer times. Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) functions largely as Istanbul’s secondary airport and is often positioned as a budget- and low-cost-carrier base, with many flights by carriers like Pegasus and several charter operators. Situated on the Asian side, around 30–45 km from central Sultanahmet and Taksim depending on route, travel by taxi typically takes 45–75 minutes; public options include Havatas/Havaist-style coaches and the metro-connecting Marmaray plus shuttle links that can be more economical but slower, with fares commonly in the modest single- to low double-digit lira/euro range. Pros: competitive fares and close access for Asian-side neighbourhoods; Cons: fewer long-haul options and potentially longer transfers for European-side destinations.