Highly transparent yttria ceramics were fabricated by pressureless sintering with Nb 2 O 5 or Ta 2 O 5 as a novel sintering additive. The optical transmittance, microstructural evolution, and thermo-mechanical properties of the samples were investigated. The optimal doping concentrations of Nb 2 O 5 and Ta 2 O 5 are 0.3 and 0.2 at.%, respectively, which are much lower compared to those of previously reported counterparts. The transmittance of the sample with 0.3 at.% Nb 2 O 5 reaches 81.6% at 1100 nm and 72.4% at 400 nm (2 mm in thickness), similar transmittance was obtained in the sample with 0.2 at.% Ta 2 O 5 . The microhardness (∼7 GPa), fracture toughness (∼0.85 MPa⋅m 1/2 ), and biaxial strength (∼200 MPa) of the present samples were confirmed to be comparable or even better compared to those of previously reported transparent yttria ceramics fabricated by pressureless sintering. Furthermore, the present samples, by virtue of the low doping concentrations, possessed relatively high thermal conductivity values (>10 W/m⋅K), which substantially guaranteed high thermal shock resistance.