Flying from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport (SKG) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport is located in Thessaloniki. Based in the UTC+3 timezone, Istanbul is one hour ahead of Thessaloniki.
You can choose from 17 weekly services between Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport (SKG) and Istanbul Airport (IST). This is the most popular flight route.
For a relaxed start to your SKG to Istanbul flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during a peak period in general.
Direct Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul tickets are available for booking. Istanbul Airport (IST) is where you'll disembark.
Keep your eyes peeled for promotions from Turkish Airlines. This airline operates direct flights from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your journey and possibly even tick off a new city. When browsing for plane tickets from SKG to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
Located around 13 kilometres from central Thessaloniki, SKG can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Searching for a hotel close to SKG? If you're boarding an early flight from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport scores high marks for its on-time performance. 83% of flights that take off from SKG land on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport (SKG) to Istanbul
The best price we've found for a one-way Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul flight is Rs17,013. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs33,988. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book two months before you want to travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from SKG to Istanbul.
Schedule your trip for July. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the cheapest price across each month.
You don't need to keep checking in to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an updated deal for cheap flights from SKG to Istanbul.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 45 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 40 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get there by public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Lock in the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Istanbul Airport about two weeks in advance of your flight from SKG to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
The centre of Istanbul is located around 48 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places to drop your things at near SAW. Unwind and get cosy after your SKG to Istanbul flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Snap up a deal by reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
February is the quietest month for flights from Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul, while August is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to visit Istanbul based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Thessaloniki International Makedonia Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 30ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC and 11ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from SKG to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
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 Makedonia Airport to Istanbul, check out our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia Museum and Hagia Sophia History Museum are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Istanbul itinerary.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) you'll want to see. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep your itinerary packed. Start with attractions like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Izmir is another essential stop in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.




