How to get from Istanbul to Kars
- 1188 km as the crow flies
- Fastest: bus, 19h
- 5 bus departures a day with FlixBus
Compare the train, bus and flight options. Then check them for your own date.
At a glance
Fastest
19h
direct
Bus
€74
Calculated by Routavio, refreshed 24 Sept 2026
Start with the whole journey.
We compared the ways to travel from Istanbul to Kars. The most useful door-to-door route takes 19h 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.
The lowest we recorded in the last 14 days was €46, on Fri, Sep 11.
1188 km
Which way suits you?
| Transport | Observed fare | Duration and scope | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | €45Checked Sep 19 | 2h 05mFlight only | See Flight details |
| Bus | €74Reading date not recorded | 19hdirect | See Bus details |
- Flight€45Checked Sep 192h 05m · Flight onlySee Flight details
- Bus€74Reading date not recorded19h · 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?
All from the same recent search. Pick a tab: the legs, the timing and the difference from the others all change with it.
- 1İstanbul Dudullu → Karsbus
Metro Turizm·19h
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, Istanbul to Kars
The lowest fare we saw for each day over the next three months. Tap a day to search it live.
October 2026
€52Departures from Istanbul to Kars
FlixBus runs 5 scheduled departures a day, the first at 06:50 and the last at 11:15.
| Operator | Departures a day | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBusbus | 5 | 06:50 | 11:15 |
| Metro Turizmbus | 10 | — | — |
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
Operators seen on these journeys
Metro Turizmİstanbul Dudullu-KarsBook →
Pegasus AirlinesSabiha Gökçen Airport-Kars AirportSee live options and dates →On this route you travel with Metro Turizm, Pegasus Airlines; Routavio does not add a booking fee.
How the trip from Istanbul to Kars works
Start with a Metro Turizm bus from İstanbul Dudullu to Kars, about 19h. In total it's roughly €74 over 19h, direct, no transfers.
Istanbul to Kars: common questions
How long does it take to get from Istanbul to Kars?
The most useful route takes about 19h by bus, with no transfer.
When is the first bus from Istanbul to Kars?
The first bus with FlixBus leaves at 06:50 and the last at 11:15, from İstanbul Alibeyköy, according to the published timetable.
How many bus departures a day are there from Istanbul to Kars?
5 a day with FlixBus, between 06:50 and 11:15.
Which station does the bus from Istanbul to Kars leave from?
İstanbul Alibeyköy 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?
On the upcoming dates we checked, the cheapest fare ranged from €46 to €74. Run a live search for your own date to see today's price.
Which operators run Istanbul to Kars?
On this route you travel with Metro Turizm, Pegasus Airlines.
Can you get from Istanbul to Kars without flying?
Yes. A ground route by bus takes about 19h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Istanbul to Kars?
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 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: Metro Turizm
Route calculated: 24 Sep 2026