How to get from Ankara to Istanbul
- 355 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: train, 4h 16m
- 45 bus departures a day with FlixBus
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
4h 16m
direct
Train
€39
Cheapest
5h
direct
Bus
€21
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 22 Sept 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Ankara to Istanbul. The most useful door-to-door route takes 5h by bus with no transfer. The two cities are about 355 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €18, on Tue, Sep 15.
355 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €23Checked Sep 21 | 1h 10mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Train | €39Reading date not recorded | 4h 16mdirect | See Train details |
| Bus | €19Omio catalogue, Sep 23 | 5hdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€23Checked Sep 211h 10m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Train€39Reading date not recorded4h 16m · directSee Train details
- Bus€19Omio catalogue, Sep 235h · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Ankara to Istanbul: cheapest or fastest?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1Ankara → İstanbul Dudullubus
FlixBus·5h
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
The observed fares belong to earlier dates.
Search my dateWhich date should you go?
The amounts on each day are fares seen earlier, not live offers. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
All transport observations
Flight calendar
Flight prices by day, Ankara to Istanbul
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
October 2026
€24Departures from Ankara to Istanbul
FlixBus runs 45 scheduled departures a day, the first at 00:00 and the last at 23:59.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBusbus | 45 | 00:00 | 23:59 |
| TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.train | 17 | 05:55 | 22:00 |
| Metro Turizmbus | 24 | — | — |
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, the frequency is the operator's own and the timetable is not published to us. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and arrival
Ticket prices on this route
What each way of travelling costs, as the operator publishes it. These describe the route rather than a date you pick, and they refresh once a day. Booking opens at our partner Omio.
- Bus· 6h 25m€19Book
Omio last refreshed these on Wed, Sep 23
Operators seen on these journeys
FlixBusAnkara-İstanbul DudulluBook →
TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş.Ankara-IstanbulBook →
AJetAnkara Esenboğa Airport-Sabiha Gökçen AirportSee live options and dates →On this route you travel with FlixBus, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., AJet; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Ankara to Istanbul works
Start with a FlixBus bus from Ankara to İstanbul Dudullu, about 5h. In total it's roughly €21 over 5h, direct, no transfers.
Ankara to Istanbul: common questions
How long does it take to get from Ankara to Istanbul?
The most useful route takes about 5h by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first bus from Ankara to Istanbul?
The first bus with FlixBus leaves at 00:00 and the last at 23:59, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Ankara to Istanbul?
45 a day with FlixBus, between 00:00 and 23:59.
When is the first train from Ankara to Istanbul?
The first train with TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş. leaves at 05:55 and the last at 22:00, according to the published timetable.
How many train departures a day are there from Ankara to Istanbul?
17 a day with TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., between 05:55 and 22:00.
How far is Istanbul from Ankara?
About 355 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Ankara to Istanbul cost?
On the upcoming dates we checked, the cheapest fare ranged from €18 to €21. Run a live search for your own date to see today's price.
Which operators run Ankara to Istanbul?
On this route you travel with FlixBus, TCDD Taşımacılık A.Ş., AJet.
Can you get from Ankara to Istanbul without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 5h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ankara to Istanbul?
Usually a flexible date, or leaving from a nearby airport. A live search puts every option for your dates side by side.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Routavio sends you straight to the operator or an independent third-party provider. We never add a booking fee. The final fare and availability are confirmed by that provider.
Other ways people search Ankara to Istanbul
- how to get from Ankara to Istanbul
- Ankara to Istanbul travel time
- Ankara to Istanbul distance
- cheapest way from Ankara to Istanbul
- Ankara to Istanbul by bus
Sources and method
Routes are calculated by Routavio's multimodal engine from operator timetables and flight data. Durations come from timetables, and prices are the most recent observation, not a guarantee.
Operators: FlixBus
Route calculated: 22 Sep 2026