Travelling from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 25 minutes.
Thessaloniki is one hour behind Istanbul and follows the UTC+2 timezone.
You can choose from 17 weekly Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport flights.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to board your IST to SKG flight.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
Flying into Thessaloniki (and then exploring more of Greece!) is a cinch with Turkish Airlines. This popular airline has direct flights from Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport.
The majority of travellers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines on this route.
We make it a piece of cake to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between IST and SKG include:
Athens International Airport
Bucharest Otopeni Airport
Budapest Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport flight is R 981. A round-trip plane ticket is currently R 1,940. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
To get cheap tickets from IST to SKG, reserve your journey six months ahead of your planned departure.
Organise your trip for November. That's the cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest airfare across every month.
You don't need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll send you an update as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from IST to SKG.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals on flights from Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport.
Handy information about Istanbul Airport (IST)
Central Istanbul to Istanbul Airport is around 40 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 45 minutes to get there if you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving.
The trip on public transport will take about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel close to IST? If you're boarding an early flight from Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport, these stays will have you moments from your check-in counter:
Arriving at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
Consider staying in a hotel close to SKG if you're catching a late Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport flight. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Grab a Thessaloniki Airport rental car and explore Thessaloniki and beyond with your own set of wheels. Green Motion, Centauro and Record Go are well-known companies you can book with here.
Get the best deal by booking your vehicle from Thessaloniki Airport about two weeks in advance of your trip.
When to fly to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG)
It's time to work out your dates for your flight from Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport. July is the most popular month to head to Thessaloniki. If you'd like a more low-key vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Thessaloniki is July, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 35ºC (95ºF). Book your flights from Istanbul Airport to Thessaloniki Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap tickets from IST to SKG in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between -2ºC (28ºF) and 12ºC (54ºF) on average.
Explore more of Greece
You've visited Thessaloniki, now it's time to explore more of Greece. Journey around 306 kilometres south to Athens to check off its popular sights. From Acropolis of Athens to The Parthenon and Erechtheion, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
If there's time to check out another side of Greece, consider Larisa, about 121 kilometres south of Thessaloniki. Larissa Ancient Ruins, Municipal Art Gallery of Larissa and The Church Of St. George are key highlights.
