Istanbul to Batumi (IST–BUS) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
While no nonstop service exists between IST and BUS, connecting options are available through 2 hubs.
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Batumi from Istanbul
| Metric | IST→BUS | SAW→BUS |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from IST | – | 40 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 0 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 0 | 6 |
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · BUS: +04
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 7:00 PM in Batumi.
Turkish passport holders enter Georgia visa-free for up to 1 year. No fee, no advance application. You can enter with a passport or the new-type Turkish ID card with a chip. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. At Tbilisi (TBS) or Kutaisi (KUT) airports, you receive a stamp and that's it. Georgia is one of the most accessible destinations for Turkish travelers, with no visa paperwork and the longest visa-free stay available to Turkish nationals anywhere.
The 1-year stay covers tourism, visiting family, and short business trips but does not include the right to work. For employment, apply for a work permit through a Georgian employer. Turkey and Georgia share a land border at Sarp-Sarpi (Artvin to Batumi), one of the busiest overland crossings in the region. The border operates 24 hours and processes vehicles and pedestrians. Batumi is just 15 minutes from the Turkish border.
Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Tbilisi run about 2 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines and Georgian Airways. Istanbul to Batumi runs about 2 hours 15 minutes. Ankara, Trabzon, and Antalya also have seasonal direct service. Georgia uses the Georgian lari (GEL), trading at roughly 0.08 GEL per TRY 1 (or about 12.5 TRY per GEL 1). ATMs are common in Tbilisi and Batumi. Card payments work at restaurants, shops, and hotels. Tbilisi Metro costs GEL 1.00 per ride (about TRY 12.50). Marshrutkas (minibuses) connect cities cheaply: Tbilisi to Batumi costs GEL 25 to GEL 35 (TRY 310 to TRY 440) for a 5-hour ride.
Istanbul Metro M11 Gayrettepe–İstanbul Havalimanı line connects the airport to the broader metro network; from Gayrettepe (Mecidiyeköy/Levent area) the journey is about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart). The line runs roughly 5am to midnight.Havaist express buses serve Taksim, Kadıköy, and other major hubs (₺50–80, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis use a meter; expect ₺400–600 from Taksim or Sultanahmet. The airport is 35km northwest of the city; traffic on the O-7 motorway can be severe during peak hours.
IST–BUS Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Istanbul to Batumi Flights
IST-BUS covers about 1,100 km in roughly 2 hours. Turkish Airlines operates nonstop service 4 to 7 times per week, with peak frequency during summer months when Batumi draws beach tourism. The route connects Turkey's largest city with Georgia's main Black Sea resort town. Traffic includes Turkish tourists, Georgian diaspora, and international visitors using Istanbul as a connection point to reach the Caucasus.
Batumi airport is just 2 km from the city center, making the transfer one of the shortest in the region. The city's waterfront boulevard, botanical garden, and mix of modern and historic architecture make it a popular summer destination. Georgia's open visa policy allows most nationalities to enter without a visa for up to 1 year. IST connections give Batumi access to passengers from across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia through Turkish Airlines' hub network.