Planning a trip from Bari to Tbilisi? Then read on — this article pulls together the practical information you need about the route, the airlines that serve it and how to pay less for your ticket.
Which airlines fly from Bari to Tbilisi?
There are no non-stop flights between Bari and Tbilisi International Airport, so the route is always flown with a connection, and several airlines cover it.
The Turkish carrier Turkish Airlines operates connecting flights via Istanbul Airport, from where you reach Tbilisi in just a few hours.
You can also travel with the German carrier Lufthansa, which routes the journey through Munich.
A third option is to combine two airlines: you could, for example, fly from Bari to Athens with VOLOTEA and continue from Athens to Tbilisi with Aegean Airlines.
How long does the journey from Bari to Tbilisi take?
Since there are no direct flights from Bari to Tbilisi, the total travel time depends above all on how long you wait at the connecting airport.
How to buy cheap flights from Bari to Tbilisi
- Book your ticket 1.5–2 months ahead.
- Travel midweek rather than at the weekend — demand is lower on working days, and fares tend to be lower with it.
- Buy both directions at once. Airlines and agencies usually price a return ticket better than two one-way tickets bought separately.
- Use a search engine that brings almost every airline and flight together in one place, so you can compare options and book the ticket you want more easily.
The main connecting routes from Bari to Tbilisi
Bari Airport (code BRI) mainly serves European and domestic Italian destinations, which is why reaching Tbilisi always involves a change of plane. In practice, these are the itineraries you will come across most often:
- Via Istanbul — the Turkish Airlines network links Bari with Istanbul, and there are several flights a day onwards to Tbilisi. This is usually the most flexible option when it comes to choosing dates.
- Via Munich or Frankfurt — on Lufthansa flights; the German hubs have regular connections to Tbilisi.
- Via Vienna — the Austrian Airlines routing, which often offers a comparatively short layover.
- Via Athens — Bari to Athens with VOLOTEA or Aegean Airlines, then Athens to Tbilisi with Aegean Airlines or Georgian Airways.
- Via Belgrade — on Air Serbia flights.
- Via Warsaw — a low-cost flight from Bari to Warsaw, then on to Tbilisi with LOT.
One thing to bear in mind: some of these itineraries are sold as a single ticket — in that case the airline is responsible if you miss your connection, and your checked bag is tagged all the way through to your final destination. Others are put together from two separate tickets: then it is wise to allow at least 3–4 hours for the change, to collect your baggage at the intermediate airport and check it in again, and to remember that the risk of a delay on the first flight stays with you.
An alternative: flying into Kutaisi airport
If your aim is to reach Georgia as cheaply as possible and an extra leg to Tbilisi does not bother you, take a look at Kutaisi International Airport. Wizz Air connects Kutaisi with Italy’s largest cities — Rome (Fiumicino) and Milan (Malpensa) — on direct flights. Getting from Bari to Rome or Milan by domestic flight or by train is straightforward, and the bus or transfer from Kutaisi to Tbilisi takes about four hours. This combination often works out cheaper than a classic connecting ticket — just remember to factor in the price of extra baggage and the cost of the onward transport.
Baggage and fares: what to look out for
- With low-cost airlines (Wizz Air, Ryanair, easyJet, VOLOTEA) the fare normally includes only a small cabin bag — checked baggage and a larger carry-on are paid extras.
- With traditional airlines (Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines) checked baggage is often already included in the fare, but this depends on the fare type — always check before you buy.
- Extra baggage is almost always cheaper online, at the moment you book, than at the check-in desk at the airport.
- If the itinerary is made up of two separate tickets, each airline’s baggage allowance applies separately — the rules of one do not carry over to the other.
Bari airport: practical details before you fly
Bari’s Karol Wojtyła Airport (code BRI) lies about 8 kilometres north-west of the city centre and has a single terminal, so finding your way around inside is simple.
- By train — a direct train runs from the airport station to Bari Centrale in roughly 15 minutes.
- By bus — the express bus between the airport and the central station takes about 30 minutes.
- When to arrive — on a connecting itinerary, plan to be at the airport at least 2 hours before departure; at the height of the summer season, 2.5 hours is better.
It is also worth knowing that citizens of Italy and other EU countries do not need a visa to enter Georgia and may stay in the country for up to a year. Even so, it is a good idea to check the rules in force before you travel, as they can change over time.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Bari to Tbilisi?
No, there is no non-stop flight from Bari to Tbilisi. Every option involves one, and sometimes two, connections.
How long does the whole journey take?
With a short layover the trip usually takes 7–9 hours. Itineraries with a long wait can run to more than 15 hours, so alongside the price do look closely at the length of the connection.
When is the cheapest time to travel?
Fares are highest in the summer season (July and August) and over the Christmas and New Year period. Travelling in spring or in the second half of autumn generally works out cheaper.
Which airport will I land at in Tbilisi?
International flights arrive at Tbilisi International Airport, which is about 17 kilometres from the city centre. You can get into town by taxi, by bus or by train.
How far in advance should I buy my ticket?
On connecting routes the best fares are usually found 1.5–3 months before departure. Seats still available in the final weeks are sold at the most expensive fares.
Cheap Bari–Tbilisi flights can be bought online quickly and conveniently using our search engine. Simply choose your departure and destination cities, enter the dates you want, and the system will show you every available flight, so you can pick the ticket that fits your budget.