Planning a trip on the Athens – Tbilisi route? Then this article is worth reading to the end, because it brings together everything you need in order to book your flight tickets with confidence.
Which airlines fly from Athens to Tbilisi?
Both direct and connecting flights operate between Athens and Tbilisi. Non-stop services are offered by the Greek carrier Aegean Airlines, which has been serving this route for years, with several frequencies a week on the Athens – Tbilisi air link.
Connecting flights are operated by the Turkish carriers Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines. These airlines fly from Athens to Tbilisi with a stopover almost every day, and such a flexible timetable makes it easy to fit the journey around your own plans when booking flight tickets.
Pegasus routes its Athens – Tbilisi flights through Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport, while Turkish Airlines connects passengers at Istanbul Airport.
Which airline offers the cheapest tickets from Athens to Tbilisi?
Pegasus Airlines usually offers the lowest fares on flights from Athens to Tbilisi.
How long is the flight from Athens to Tbilisi?
A non-stop flight on the Athens – Tbilisi route takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes. The total travel time of a connecting flight depends on how long the layover at the transit airport lasts.
How to buy cheap flight tickets from Athens to Tbilisi
- Book your flight tickets 1.5 to 2 months in advance.
- Choose a midweek departure rather than a weekend one: demand for travel is lower on working days, so tickets tend to be cheaper.
- Buy both legs of the journey at the same time. Airlines and agencies usually offer better prices for a return ticket than for two separate one-way tickets.
- Use a search engine that gathers almost every airline and flight in one place, so that finding and booking the ticket you want takes only a few minutes.
You can buy Athens – Tbilisi flight tickets online quickly and comfortably through our search engine. Simply select your departure and destination cities, enter the date you prefer, and the system will show you every available flight, so you can pick the ticket that fits your budget.
Athens – Tbilisi: key flight information
- Departure airport: Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (ATH)
- Arrival airport: Tbilisi International Airport “Shota Rustaveli” (TBS)
- Distance: approximately 1,840 kilometres
- Non-stop flight time: around 2 hours 40-45 minutes
- Frequency of direct flights: roughly 10 a week in total between the two carriers
- Aircraft: mainly Airbus A320 family jets
- Time difference: Tbilisi is 1 hour ahead of Greece in summer and 2 hours ahead in winter
Sky Express – a second airline on the non-stop route
Besides Aegean Airlines, the Athens – Tbilisi non-stop link is also served by the Greek carrier Sky Express. With two airlines working the same route, the choice of departures has grown and fares have become noticeably more competitive. Flights are spread across the day, including early-morning and late-evening departures, which is especially convenient if you need to connect to another flight in Athens or Tbilisi.
An alternative: Athens – Kutaisi
If you are heading to western Georgia, or simply looking for a cheaper ticket, take a look at the Athens – Kutaisi route as well. Direct flights operate from Kutaisi International Airport to Athens, and low-cost fares are often lower than those on the Tbilisi service. Keep one thing in mind, though: the road journey from Kutaisi to Tbilisi takes about 3-4 hours, so add the cost and the time of that transfer before you make the final decision.
When is the best time to book and to travel?
Demand on the Athens – Tbilisi route changes with the season, and ticket prices follow it:
- June to September – the busiest period. Book your tickets early, ideally 2-3 months ahead.
- New Year and Easter holidays – short but very sharp price peaks.
- Late October to March (outside the holidays) – the quietest and therefore the most affordable time to fly.
Bear in mind, too, that departures on working days – Tuesdays and Wednesdays in particular – are on average cheaper than those on a Friday or a Sunday.
Baggage and airport check-in
Before you pay, always check which fare you are buying: the cheapest fare types often include cabin baggage only, and checked luggage costs extra. Every airline sets its own allowance, size and weight limits, so read these conditions on the booking page itself.
- On international flights it is recommended to be at the airport 2 to 2.5 hours before departure.
- Online check-in usually opens 24-48 hours before the flight and saves you time in the airport queue.
- On a connecting flight, confirm in advance whether your baggage is checked through to the final destination or has to be collected and re-checked at the transit airport.
Visas and documents
Citizens of Georgia holding a biometric passport can travel to Greece, as a Schengen country, without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Citizens of Greece and other EU countries, in turn, can enter Georgia visa-free and stay for up to one year. Before flying, check that your passport is still valid for your trip and review the terms of your travel insurance if you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Athens to Tbilisi?
Yes. Non-stop flights from Athens to Tbilisi are operated by two Greek airlines – Aegean Airlines and Sky Express.
How long does the flight from Athens to Tbilisi take?
A non-stop flight takes around 2 hours and 40-45 minutes. A connecting flight depends on the layover and can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours in total.
Which airport will I land at?
Direct flights land at Tbilisi International Airport “Shota Rustaveli” (TBS), about 17 kilometres from the city centre.
How far in advance should I buy my ticket?
For the low season, booking 1.5-2 months ahead is enough; for the summer months and the New Year period it is better to buy your ticket 2-3 months in advance.
Which is cheaper – a direct or a connecting flight?
Connecting flights are usually cheaper, especially those routed through Istanbul, but when the non-stop carriers run a promotion the difference shrinks to a minimum. That is why it is worth comparing both options side by side.