Traveling from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) to Istanbul: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul and you'll be traveling for an average of 2 hours 20 minutes.
Istanbul is one hour behind Tbilisi, where Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport is located. Istanbul runs on the UTC+3 timezone.
With 32 flights a week between the two airports, Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) to Istanbul Airport (IST) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 02:50. If you prefer to make the most of your day before leaving, the latest flight from TBS to IST is with Turkish Airlines at 21:05.
Allow plenty of time to get on your TBS to Istanbul flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Traveling over a peak time such as August? School holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Direct Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul tickets are available for booking. Istanbul Airport (IST) will be your arrival point.
You can choose from various airlines operating direct flights from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul, such as:
Traveling from central Tbilisi to TBS takes about 40 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometers in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays near TBS:
Of the departures from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport, 77% arrive on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) to Istanbul
The best price we've seen for a one-way Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul flight is AED 203. The cheapest price for a return flight is AED 447. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Score cheap flights from TBS to Istanbul by booking five months ahead. Based on our research, that's the best time for landing a bargain.
Schedule your trip for October. That's the best month for landing an awesome deal on Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the cheapest price across each month.
There's no need to check back constantly to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's an extra saving on cheap flights from TBS to Istanbul.
Snag an affordable flight from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul with the help of our filters. Select your ideal duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
The distance from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 40 kilometers. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the center driving.
Traveling on public transport takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near IST:
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Istanbul Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from TBS to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is around 48 kilometers from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). After your flight from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul has touched down and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour 40 minutes.
Following your TBS to Istanbul flight, unwind at a hotel close to SAW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Score the best price by booking your ride from SAW four weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to figure out your dates for your flight from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul. August is the most popular month to travel to Istanbul. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in February.
Lock in a Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket with a departure in July to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you like traveling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from TBS to Istanbul in January when temperatures average between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF).
More about Istanbul
Once you've booked your flight from Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport to Istanbul, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:
Every great vacation has to include a little sightseeing. Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia Museum and Hagia Sophia History Museum are attractions you won't want to skip in Istanbul.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Istanbul has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be discovered. Around 354 kilometers east of Istanbul, a trip to Ankara will keep you on the move. Check out popular attractions like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Izmir is another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometers southwest of Istanbul. No journey is complete without seeing Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.
