PEGAS Touristik, one of Russia’s leading tour operators, has announced that it will extend its summer season flight programme to Istanbul into the autumn–winter period of 2025–2026. The decision was made in response to strong demand for Istanbul and increasing booking volumes.
Under the new programme, daily direct flights will be operated from Sheremetyevo Airport to Istanbul in partnership with Southwind Airlines. These flights will continue until 28 March 2026. The package tours built around these block flights offer flexible accommodation options ranging from 1 to 29 nights.
High Demand Drives Extension into the Winter Season
According to PEGAS Touristik, bookings for August, September, and the New Year period stand out, with summer 2025 sales performance exceeding expectations. This strong interest was a decisive factor in extending the Istanbul route into the winter season.
Istanbul Preference: Four-Star Hotels
Company data shows that the vast majority of tourists travelling to Istanbul prefer four-star hotels. The share of three-star hotels, previously a more common choice, has dropped to around 30% this year. Most travellers are couples without children, and the average length of stay ranges from 3 to 5 nights.
Winter Season Prices Announced
PEGAS has also published Istanbul package tour prices for autumn 2025 and winter 2026 in its system. According to the pricing:
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In early November, a four-night Istanbul tour for two people starts at around 95,000 roubles.
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In early December, prices drop to as low as 75,000 roubles.
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Prices increase during special dates such as New Year’s Eve and 8 March.
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February and March stand out as the most affordable months for those wishing to travel to Istanbul.
FUN&SUN Also Watching Closely
Apart from PEGAS Touristik, other tour operators also have block flight programmes on the Istanbul route. For example, FUN&SUN has scheduled flights from 3 September to 25 October and is considering a winter extension, although this has not yet been finalised.
