How to Get from Istanbul to Kars
Istanbul to Kars is 1188 km in a straight line, and the fastest option takes 2h 05m by plane. The trip takes 21h 18m by bus.
On Routavio you can compare the ways from Istanbul to Kars by price and travel time (route calculated on 9 November 2026).
- First bus at 08:15, last at 11:15
Compare the ways to get there. Then check them for your own date.
Start with the Whole Journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Istanbul to Kars. The most useful door-to-door route takes 21h 18m by bus with no transfer. The two cities are about 1188 km apart in a straight line. The price and operators below come from a real route search.
This fare comes from a search on November 3, 2026 and has not been refreshed since. Run a live search for today's price.
1188 km in a straight line
Which Way Suits You?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €41Checked Nov 6 | 2h 05mFastestFlight only | See Flight details |
| Bus | €39Older observation | 21h 18mdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€41Checked Nov 62h 05m · Flight onlyFastestSee Flight details
- Bus€39Older observation21h 18m · directSee Bus details
These figures were observed on different days. This table is not a live price ranking for your date.
Istanbul to Kars: Cheapest or Fastest?
Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1İstanbul Alibeyköy → Karsbus
Kamil Koç·21h 18m
The best balance of price and time we found on this route.
Which Date Should You Go?
An amount is a fare we saw earlier; with "around" in front it is our estimate. Neither is a live offer. A day with no figure is one we have not priced, not one without a service.
- Wed, Nov 11€39Cheapest found
- Thu, Nov 12€39Cheapest found
- Fri, Nov 13around €74
- Sat, Nov 14around €74
- Sun, Nov 15€39Cheapest found
- Mon, Nov 16€39Cheapest found
- Wed, Nov 18€39Cheapest found
- Thu, Nov 19€39Cheapest found
- Fri, Nov 20€39Cheapest found
- Sat, Nov 21€39Cheapest found
- Sun, Nov 22€39Cheapest found
- Mon, Nov 23€39Cheapest found
- Fri, Dec 4€39Cheapest found
- Sat, Dec 5€39Cheapest found
- Sun, Dec 6€39Cheapest found
- Mon, Dec 7€39Cheapest found
- Tue, Dec 8€39Cheapest found
- Wed, Dec 9€39Cheapest found
- Sun, Jan 3€39Cheapest found
- Mon, Jan 4€39Cheapest found
- Tue, Jan 5€39Cheapest found
Departures from Istanbul to Kars
FlixBus publishes departures from 08:15 to 11:15.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBusbus | · | 08:15 | 11:15 |
| Kamil Koçbus | 2 | 06:50 | 09:50 |
| Metro Turizmbus | · | · | · |
| Bizim Igdir, Kars Kalesi Turizmbus | · | · | · |
All departures FlixBus
- 08:15
- 09:30
- 11:15
All departures Kamil Koç
- 06:50
- 09:50
Departure times come from operator timetables and are local time at the origin. Where a row shows no times, we do not hold a published timetable for that operator. Times can change on holidays and at short notice; confirm with the operator before you travel.
Departure and Arrival
Operators Seen on These Journeys
Kamil Koçİstanbul Alibeyköy-KarsBook →
AJetSabiha Gökçen Airport-Rize–Artvin AirportSee live options and dates →Local busRize–Artvin Airport-FındıklıBook →Özlem Ardahan TurizmFındıklı-KarsBook →On this route you travel with Kamil Koç, AJet, Local bus, Özlem Ardahan Turizm.
How the Trip from Istanbul to Kars Works
Routavio built this route from its own route data on 9 November 2026. Start with a Kamil Koç bus from İstanbul Alibeyköy to Kars, about 21h 18m. In total it's roughly €39 over 21h 18m, direct, no transfers.
Where to Stay
Stays in Kars on Booking.comRent a Car
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Things to Do in Kars
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Istanbul to Kars: Common Questions
How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Kars?
Routavio's route check on 9 November 2026 puts the most useful route at about 21h 18m by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first bus from Istanbul to Kars?
The first bus with FlixBus leaves at 08:15 and the last at 11:15, from İstanbul Dudullu, according to the published timetable.
Which station does the bus from Istanbul to Kars leave from?
İstanbul Dudullu with FlixBus, according to the published timetable.
How far is Kars from Istanbul?
About 1188 km in a straight line. The real route on the ground or in the air is longer.
How much does Istanbul to Kars cost?
Routavio's price check on 3 November 2026 puts the route we recommend at €39. Other options on this page can cost less, and the exact fare depends on your travel date.
Which operators run Istanbul to Kars?
According to Routavio's route data, on this route you travel with Kamil Koç, AJet, Local bus, Özlem Ardahan Turizm.
Can you get from Istanbul to Kars without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 21h 18m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Kars?
Routavio's comparison usually points to 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.
Where to Next
Related Links
Flying instead? Istanbul to Kars flight prices€41Other Ways People Search Istanbul to Kars
- how to get from Istanbul to Kars
- Istanbul to Kars travel time
- Istanbul to Kars distance
- cheapest way from Istanbul to Kars
- Istanbul to Kars 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: Kamil Koç, AJet, Local bus, Özlem Ardahan Turizm
Route calculated: 9 Nov 2026
Prices checked: 3 Nov 2026