Planning to travel from Istanbul to Batumi but not sure where to start? Read this article and you will know everything you need before buying your flight tickets.
Which airlines fly from Istanbul to Batumi?
The Istanbul – Batumi route is served by the two best-known Turkish carriers. Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines both operate scheduled flights on this air corridor.
Pegasus flies to Batumi from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport, while Turkish Airlines operates from Istanbul Airport. If you are flying in the opposite direction, see our guide to Batumi – Istanbul flights.
Which airline offers the cheapest tickets from Istanbul to Batumi?
Pegasus Airlines generally offers the most budget-friendly fares from Istanbul to Batumi.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Batumi?
A direct flight from Istanbul to Batumi takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes.
How to find cheap Istanbul – Batumi flight tickets
- Book your tickets 1.5-2 months in advance.
- Choose a midweek departure rather than a weekend – demand is lower on working days, so fares tend to be lower too.
- Book both legs at once. Airlines and agencies usually price a return ticket better than two separate one-way tickets.
- Use a search engine that brings together almost every airline and flight, so you can compare and book the fare that suits you in one place.
You can buy cheap Istanbul – Batumi tickets online quickly and comfortably through 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.
Which Istanbul airport will you fly from?
Istanbul has two large airports, and the airline you choose decides which one you use:
- Istanbul Airport (IST) – on the European side of the city, in Arnavutkoy. Turkish Airlines operates from here. It is connected to the centre by metro and by Havaist buses.
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) – on the Asian side, in Pendik. Pegasus operates from here. You can reach the centre by metro or by Havabus shuttles.
If you are connecting through Istanbul, make sure both flights use the same airport. Getting from one to the other can take 1.5-2 hours or more once traffic is taken into account.
Batumi Airport: what to know before you land
Batumi International Airport (code BUS) sits roughly 2 kilometres south of the city centre – one of the closest airports to a city centre in Georgia. The airport is managed by TAV Airports.
- A taxi into the centre takes 10-15 minutes, and a municipal bus also serves the route.
- The airport is close to the Turkish border at the Sarpi crossing, which makes it convenient for travel around Adjara and the Turkish Black Sea coast.
- In the summer peak the terminal is often busy, so plan to arrive at least 2 hours before departure.
Hand luggage and checked baggage
On the Istanbul – Batumi route your baggage allowance depends on the fare you buy, not only on the airline:
- Budget fares frequently include hand luggage only. Checked baggage is charged separately, and adding it at the airport is almost always more expensive than buying it online in advance.
- Standard fares usually include checked baggage.
- Before you buy, check the permitted weight and dimensions for hand luggage – this is the single most common cause of an unexpected charge at the airport.
Seasonality: when are tickets cheapest?
Batumi is a seaside resort city, so the route is strongly seasonal:
- June to September – peak season. Demand and fares are at their highest, and flights are most frequent.
- April to May and October – shoulder season: the weather is still pleasant and fares are noticeably lower.
- November to March – the cheapest period, although the number of flights drops and schedules can change. Check that the flight actually operates on the day you want before you book.
Alternative routes
If the direct Istanbul – Batumi flight does not suit you, or the fare is too high, there are alternatives:
- Istanbul – Kutaisi – Kutaisi airport is about a 2-hour drive from Batumi and often has cheaper tickets.
- Istanbul – Tbilisi – the most frequent flights, though you still have a 5-6 hour journey to Batumi by bus, train or domestic flight.
- Overland – fly to Trabzon and cross into Georgia at the Sarpi border checkpoint; this can sometimes work out cheaper.
Online check-in and airport timings
Both airlines offer online check-in, and doing it in advance saves you time at the airport – and sometimes money as well:
- Turkish Airlines – online check-in opens 24 hours before departure and closes 90 minutes before the flight. Airport check-in desks for international flights normally close 60 minutes before departure.
- Pegasus Airlines – online check-in opens 7 days before the flight and closes 60 minutes before departure. Note that Pegasus charges for check-in at the airport (around USD 10 or the local equivalent on international flights), so it is worth completing check-in online.
Exact times and conditions can differ by fare and by airport, so confirm them on the airline’s own website before you travel.
Mandatory travel insurance for entering Georgia
Since 1 January 2026, foreign nationals entering Georgia are required to hold health and accident insurance. The rule applies to passengers flying from Istanbul to Batumi as well.
- The minimum sum insured is GEL 30,000, and the policy must cover the whole period of your stay in the country.
- The policy may be issued by a Georgian or a foreign insurer, in printed or electronic form, in Georgian or in English.
- Border officers may ask to see the policy on arrival, so keep it together with your travel documents.
- The requirement does not apply to holders of diplomatic and special visas or passports, or to the other exempt categories set out in the regulation.
Turkish citizens may enter Georgia with either a passport or a national ID card, but the insurance requirement applies in both cases.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Istanbul to Batumi?
Yes. The route is served by direct flights – Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Airport and Pegasus from Sabiha Gokcen. Frequencies vary by season.
What are the airport codes for Istanbul and Batumi?
Istanbul Airport is IST, Sabiha Gokcen is SAW and Batumi International Airport is BUS.
How far in advance should I book?
On this route the best fares are usually available 1.5-2 months before departure. For summer dates it is worth booking even earlier.
What documents will I need?
Entry rules for Georgia depend on your nationality. Check the current requirements on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia before you travel, and make sure your travel document is still valid on the last day of your trip.
What is the time difference between Turkey and Georgia?
Georgia is one hour ahead of Turkey. Tickets always show local times, so read the arrival time carefully.
Do I need insurance to travel to Batumi?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026 foreign nationals entering Georgia must hold valid health and accident insurance with a minimum cover of GEL 30,000 for the entire period of their stay.
How early can I check in online?
Turkish Airlines opens online check-in 24 hours before the flight, Pegasus 7 days before. In both cases it is better to check in online, because airport check-in can be chargeable or restricted by time.