Riga
→
Istanbul
from €148 return
About this deal
This is one of those fares where almost everything lines up:
€148 return, nonstop both ways, sensible daytime schedules, a proper 8 kg cabin-bag allowance
and booking directly with airBaltic via Skyscanner.
The aircraft is airBaltic's Airbus A220-300, and there is another genuinely useful extra:
free Starlink Wi-Fi. airBaltic advertises complimentary high-speed internet on board,
with speeds of up to 250 Mbps, designed for normal browsing, streaming and online work.
I found 12 useful date combinations from November through March,
and the schedules I checked were consistently good rather than forcing you into ugly early-morning departures
or overnight airport waits. My reference trip is 27 November - 4 December 2026.
Airline: airBaltic
Routing: nonstop both ways
Aircraft: Airbus A220-300
Cabin baggage: 1 cabin bag + 1 personal item · 8 kg total
Wi-Fi: Free Starlink
November 2026 through March 2027 ↓
Reference flight schedule
airBaltic · Airbus A220-300 · nonstop
Riga 11:40 → Istanbul 15:55
Journey time: approximately 3h15.
This is almost ideal for a city break:
no dawn alarm, no connection and arrival in Istanbul early enough to check in,
have dinner and still enjoy the first evening.
airBaltic · Airbus A220-300 · nonstop
Istanbul 16:50 → Riga 19:00
Journey time: approximately 3h10.
The late-afternoon departure means you do not lose the final morning,
while the 19:00 arrival back in Riga is still very civilised.
Route map
Just over three hours each way, with no connections and no wasted transit time.
RIX
Riga
IST
Istanbul
airBaltic operates the route with its Airbus A220-300 fleet.
Fare proof
The fare proof shows Skyscanner sending you to airBaltic itself for the €148 return fare, so the ticket is booked on the airline website rather than through an OTA.
Check airBaltic fare via Skyscanner →Fare screenshots show what was available when checked and are not a guarantee of future pricing. Always confirm the final fare and inclusions before payment.
Why the Starlink Wi-Fi matters
airBaltic advertises free SpaceX Starlink internet on board its Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
The airline states that the connection is available from the time you board and throughout the flight,
with speeds of up to 250 Mbps.
In practical terms, that is fast enough for normal browsing, messaging, streaming and online work
rather than the usual painfully slow airline Wi-Fi that is useful only for sending a few texts.
On two flights of just over three hours each, having genuinely usable internet for no additional fee
is a meaningful extra — particularly if you want to work, watch something or simply stay connected.
1. No checked bag on Economy Basic:
you get a regular cabin bag plus personal item with a combined allowance of 8 kg,
but checked baggage costs extra.
2. Food is not the selling point here:
Economy meals and drinks are generally paid rather than bundled into the cheapest fare,
so budget a little extra if you want to eat on board.
3. Seat selection can also cost extra:
if sitting together or choosing a specific seat matters, check the final fare conditions before booking.
4. Wi-Fi is still an onboard service:
Starlink is a major advantage, but operational or technical issues can always affect connectivity on an individual flight.
Fare + booking details
Booking option
Skyscanner is useful here because it is not sending you to an OTA for the reference fare — it redirects you to airBaltic's own website to complete the booking. That gives you the convenience of comparison-shopping while still buying the ticket directly from the operating airline. Confirm the 8 kg cabin allowance before payment and add checked baggage only if you genuinely need it.
Check airBaltic fare via Skyscanner →This is where the deal gets even better: I found 12 useful combinations from November through March, and the schedules checked were all very reasonable. My reference is 27 November - 4 December.
This moves into Dino Elite territory because the deal is not relying on one spectacular headline number. It combines a very low fare, nonstop routing, excellent schedules, a proper 8 kg cabin allowance, direct airline booking, a comfortable A220 and free Starlink — with useful availability across several months.
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Istanbul is enormous, spread across two continents and full of neighbourhoods that feel completely different from one another. For the 27 November – 4 December reference trip, I would keep one well-located hotel for all 7 nights rather than waste time changing accommodation. The best choice depends on whether you want historic sights, nightlife, food, ferry access or a more local atmosphere.
For a first visit I would not choose a hotel based purely on price. Istanbul traffic can be slow, distances are deceptive and staying beside useful public transport can save a lot of time. My strongest all-round choice is Karaköy / Galata: central, atmospheric, walkable to the waterfront, close to ferries and tram connections, and easy for both the historic peninsula and modern Istanbul.
Prioritise transport + recent reviews
- Karaköy / Galata is my best all-round base.
- Sultanahmet wins for maximum historic sightseeing convenience.
- Kadıköy is excellent if food and local atmosphere matter more than being beside the monuments.
- Check the walk to the nearest tram, Metro or ferry before booking.
- With seven nights, I would not change Istanbul hotels.
How to book without overpaying
1. Search Booking.com using your exact dates and number of guests.
2. Filter to a review score you are comfortable with and look at the map rather than only the hotel list.
3. Shortlist hotels close to a useful tram, Metro or ferry stop.
4. Open Trivago and search the same hotel for the same dates.
5. Compare the exact room type, breakfast, taxes, payment terms and cancellation conditions before choosing the cheaper portal.
In Istanbul, being slightly farther from a major attraction can be completely fine if the public-transport connection is good.
A cheap room that requires constant taxis is often false economy.
Safety, scams & things to watch
The most practical risks for visitors are usually pickpocketing, overcharging and tourist scams, particularly in busy sightseeing areas and around nightlife districts. Current official travel advice also recommends avoiding demonstrations and large political gatherings, which can develop quickly and disrupt transport.
Travel advice can change, so check your own government's latest guidance shortly before departure. The point is not to make Istanbul sound dangerous — it is to avoid the very predictable problems that catch distracted visitors.
Where to go next if you have more time
For the 7-night reference fare, I would be perfectly happy spending the entire trip in Istanbul. There is enough to fill the week without rushing. If you have extra days beyond that, these are the extensions I would consider first.
Dino suggestion: for exactly seven nights, stay in Istanbul and take one ferry-based day trip. If you can extend to 9–10 nights, then 6 nights Istanbul + 3 nights Cappadocia becomes a very strong first Türkiye itinerary.
Things to do in Istanbul
Compare Bosphorus cruises, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı experiences, food tours, hammams, neighbourhood walks and other Istanbul activities below. For a full week, I would pre-book only the experiences that really benefit from a timed entry or guide and leave plenty of space for walking, ferries and spontaneous meals.
A few useful extras that can make the journey easier, particularly when travelling with restrictive cabin-bag fares, arriving late or needing mobile data as soon as you land.
A useful packing solution when you are trying to fit more clothing
into a restricted cabin bag.
Particularly relevant for travellers using airlines such as
Ryanair and Wizz Air, where baggage dimensions and
additional luggage fees can significantly change the final cost of a
cheap flight.
Compress your clothing and make better use of the space available
inside your luggage.
Arrive with mobile data ready and avoid searching for a local SIM
card or relying on airport Wi-Fi.
Use code XTRA10 for
10% off your first purchase.
Travelling for longer? Saily Ultra includes
30 GB of high-speed data plus unlimited reduced-speed data
,
together with additional travel benefits.
Pre-book your airport transfer before travelling.
Particularly useful for
late-night arrivals, families and travellers with luggage
,
or when arriving somewhere unfamiliar and you would rather have a
driver waiting than search for transport after landing.
Use promo code TPO5 for
5% off your booking.
Valid until 31 December 2026.
Flight deals are only the start. These guides show how I find fares worth booking, which travel tools can make a trip easier and what to consider before protecting your holiday.
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